Intro to Off-Road Riding

It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own cycling trip can be a total faff, let alone getting a gang of like-minded people on board. On our cycling trips, we've found a local host who has put together a perfect itinerary and will navigate for you all the way. Faff eliminated! All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the landscape with your fellow adventurers. You don't need to be a lycra-clad 'roadie' although they're welcome too!

This UK gravel riding weekend is about more than just riding a bike. Your host focuses on getting social aspects spot-on for everyone as well. Relax and unwind in a fabulously comfy canvas camp, sit around the campfire, and meet and chat to your fellow adventurers. Mealtimes are special occasions and enjoyed together around the dinner and breakfast table set in stunning surroundings. Your food is freshly prepared using the best, wholesome ingredients - expertly combined to create some extraordinarily tasty and delicious meals! Have a read of the wonderful customer reviews and get in touch with Much Better Adventures if you have any queries before booking.

Gravel riding means embracing the variety of mixed-terrain cycling routes to allow a deeper exploration into, and connection with, the natural environment, as opposed to being confined to only following the road network. A range of bike styles can be used for this blend of very accessible off-road riding, but purposely designed gravel bikes are typically rigid frame models with drop handlebars and knobbly tyres, with their geometry and gearing somewhere between a mountain bike and a road bike.

You'll be taught about adventure prep and planning, equipment essentials and the fundamentals of off-road gravel riding - including ascending, descending, gear selection, cornering, braking and riding on varied terrain.

High-quality bike hire is included for all bookings on this trip. Gravel adventure bikes are included and you will be allocated one pre-trip based on your height. They are well-maintained by the host team and you'll be guided through their characteristics before commencing riding. The host has a fleet comprising of two bike models - Sonder Camino (drop bars) and Sonder Frontier (straight bars). After booking you'll be able to speak directly to the host to share your height (for correct frame size allocation), ask any questions, and express your preference for which bike you would like to ride. Note that there may be limited availability of one option over another (drop or straight bar) as they are allocated on a first come first served basis. The bikes are equipped with a water bottle cage, they all come with male/standard saddles and your host provides either flat or SPD MTB pedals and will discuss your choice with you beforehand.

Yes, if you prefer, then it is fine to bring your own bike. This should be a gravel bike (but mountain bikes could also be used), with a minimum tyre width of 40mm and a tread pattern suited to a variety of off-road terrains. It would be your responsibility to ensure that your bike and any equipment are in safe working order and suitable for the type of riding that this trip involves. You should bring a multitool, puncture repair and/or tubeless repair kit. Please make the host aware in advance should you plan to bring your own bike, and if in doubt of its suitability then just ask. No discounts can be made on the trip price if deciding not to utilise the included bike hire. There is space for bikes to be loaded onto the transfer vehicle from the train station meeting point at the start of the trip.

You'll be able to fill up your re-fillable water bottles at the campsite in the mornings and at several points during the rides.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

This being England, it is fairly unpredictable! Average temperatures are lower for the early and late season departure dates so you should factor this in when packing your kit. As a general guide, it is best to come prepared for all eventualities, both on and off the bike, keeping a close eye on the weather forecast in the days running up to your trip. The host will be in touch to inform you of any weather-specific considerations that might come up.