Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

"Race on Sunday, sell on Monday" or something like that.

Anyone got a nice offroad route London to Brighton with as much offroad as possible which would not be a complete shitshow at this time of the year?

EDIT: Ideally a route that is not just the whole Downs Link

Haha true, but it fits the form, this bike is uncompromising but fast, it's not for comfort, it's to cross the line first. Where as gravel bikes should be advertised as being able to take the sting out of commuting on a tow path and conquer a local bridleway.

Where as gravel bikes should be advertised as being able to take the sting out of commuting on a tow path and conquer a local bridleway.

That advert ain't gonna sell shit though is it?

You mean hybrids, see how good that went

not be a complete shitshow at this time of the year?

Not a chance at the moment. Maybe in a couple of weeks if it stays dry.

I am fine with mud, just would not want to find myself in a middle of a field

You can go a bit further east and take bits of the NCN 21. The route finishes in Eastbourne but you can cut west before that via Friston Forest etc. Bits of the NCN 21 are paved, mind. The Forest Way sections are nice.

Not LtB but you could grab bits of this: https://www.komoot.com/tour/430997522

Sutton- Banstead downs- Epsom downs- Pebble Lane - Mickleham -Ranmore -one of the MTB trails down the side of White Down -Wolvens Lane - Leith Hill Tower- Holmbury - Peaslake - ALL OF THE TRAILS - Cranleigh -Downslink - SDW -fish and chips

I live the other side of the river mate, I think I know what those words mean, but a gpx would be priceless

I don't record rides. It's all in my head I'm afraid!

Actually had a look, I know all of those places and I have followed a similar route before, think it was a Sunday Echappee one..

Despite my misgivings about the whole idea of gravel riding, I might be about to embark on 100miles of suspension-less off-road gnar on my CX bike. I'm fully aware that I will be laughed at for only having 40mm tyres and 2x gearing, don't worry.
My main question is, does anyone use a hip pack for gravel riding? I've got two of them for MTB and I can only imagine it will feel fucking awful to wear for anything longer than 4hrs. Just interested to know anyones experiences, or if I should fill my bottles up from a waterfall or stream for a more authentic experience instead

I do regularly use a Blahol hip bag, no issues on rides of up to 6h (haven't really done anything longer recently). No water bladder in there though, I just use bottles.

I've done a bunch of long-ish rides on my CX bike and a camelback type hydration pack setup. Completely fine with the weight on my shoulders, actually really comfortable. Don't know if a hip bag does something funny on long rides

Ive had a mission workshop hip pack on for full days off road and it more than comfy! I often forget its there

I've got a Dakine one with a pouch for one bottle, and an Osprey Seral 4 which gets pretty heavy when it's got 1.5l of water in it. It's fine for MTB because you're sitting more upright, I just wondered if that weight annoy me when I'm in a more road position

Yay!
Glad to see that getting muddy.
⚡️🥰⚡️

wear one usually for long day riding, find not overpacking it is essential, that and making sure the strap is a decent width in order not to pinch

it's no replacement for a bag to carry stuff but as a top tube bag / bar bagel you can stick snacks and a waterproof in i find it offers minimal irritation and is quite convinient

best part is when you go to lay on the ground exhausted or frustrated after a hill, you can lay on the floor straight away without having to either rumamagging around in a stem bag for your phone/ skittles before collapsing, or having to get back up after you've had your strop

I got the Rapha trail one recently and found it very comfortable whilst touring for carrying valuables, camera, food, etc.

where are you going that you can't refill your water bottles during 4hrs? the gobi fucking desert?

I don't know yet, the organiser hasn't released the route. I mean, I've done 4hour rides in the Peak District before and not passed anywhere to fill a bottle up. I'm expecting to be riding for about 7hrs+ with the group I'm riding with, so I'm just thinking ahead

Peak District before and not passed anywhere to fill a bottle up.

Are you expecting an aid station? This is England. It's basically made of water.

should fill my bottles up from a waterfall or stream for a more authentic experience instead

Yeah. So I was right to begin with

or if I should fill my bottles up from a waterfall or stream for a dose of leptospirosis instead

FTFY.