Goldilocks Gravel

Richard Heald reports.

Autumn always brings one of our 100k gravel rides, unfortunately it also normally brings rain and mud. With that in mind, we decided to run the event at the beginning of October rather than late October as we had in prior years.

It wasn’t a particularly cunning plan but I’m glad to say it worked! Thankfully, we missed the worst of storm Amy, and whilst the headwind out was tough, we shared the burden and it was at least the right way round, helping rather than hindering on the homeward leg.

This year’s route was a repeat of a couple of years ago, heading out towards Rugby, then round Draycott water for a café stop, back through Rugby home again. I know I’m biased because I planned it, but it suited cross/gravel bikes and weather perfectly, being a varied mix of quiet country roads, cycle paths, canal towpath and decent bridleways. The zip you get on a gravel bike made the road sections enjoyable, whilst the off road was all relatively smooth, and whilst not as bone dry as it has been it all rode well.

There were some great sections and some less well travelled, Brinklow to Binley off road, round Draycote and the old railway line through Rugby with its murals all spring to mind, and reaching the crest of the hill at Sibbertoft, then taking the off-road decent down is always great on the run in home. It was a smaller group than we’ve seen in previous years, but this meant we all flowed well, and with a smaller group we managed the whole ride without mechanical drama, any “visits” and all remained upright the whole way round.

Thank you to all those that took part in the ride, the banter and chat are always an important part of these rides and didn’t disappoint on this one. Like I said, Goldilocks gravel, everything was just right! We hope to see you on our spring gravel ride in 2026!