The National Forest Explorer 2024

Yesterday was the last Gravelton event of the season. I originally wasn’t expecting much. Much of the rides this year, for me, have been blighted by bad weather or I couldn’t ride because of holidays or illness. This had fueled a bit of apathy from me and a rethink how to do things for next year. I’d even questioned whether to carry on with it next year. However, this week I sent my normal pre-ride email out and was told ‘quite a few’ riders might be turning up. I’d seen subs on my Gravelton Facebook page pick up and my mailing list had been boosted by about 5% in the past month alone too so it was clear something had happened. Riders had suddenly found the events, so thanks to anyone who has shared and help spread the word.

I woke at 7.30am with a thick head fuelled by a session of single malt whisky and a 1am bed. Not ideal but it didn’t dampen my enthusiasm. I was up. I made coffee, had some breakfast and got the bike ready. This was the first time using my Lezyne GPS on a gravel ride which led to a quick Google on how to load and follow a route, something that would come back to bite me later on. I mounted the bike on the rack and I was off, the Sat Nav telling me it was a 48min drive to Hicks Lodge.

The drive was uneventful bar a brief bit of drizzle making me question my clothing choice but it brightened up and was cool and dry as I rolled into the Hicks Lodge car park with other Gravelleurs milling about getting ready. After pumping my tyres I rolled around and introduced myself. I met Julie Phelan who quickly grabbed me for some footage for her YouTube channel. The number of riders were looking pretty healthy so I decided to round everyone up for a group photo which proved it was the best turnout for a Gravelton event yet. Happy days!

We all rolled out together just after 10am and crossed the road onto the MTB trails which was a great warmup with us all lined out in and out of the trees. This is where I realised my GPS error. On the Lezyne GPS you download the maps for the area you want to ride/navigate and I wrongly assumed the map I had downloaded stretched this far NE from where I live. I hadn’t checked so effectively I had a blank screen and a breadcrumb trail to follow. And I hadn’t started recording either so I stopped and started Strava on my phone and then managed to get my GPS to record too. I decided to just join in with the others and follow them because we were riding last years route the otherway this time and I had no idea where I was.

As we all sauntered out to the A42 and crossed it the group got naturally stretched and began to form smaller groups so I went to the front with a few others and pushed on past Packington into Spring Lane, the first decent byway and my first offroad skills test for a few months.

First byway completed we dropped into Ravenstone and headed out for what should have been a short, punchy loop around Snibston bike trails but on the farside my groups Garmin’s all seemed to play up simultaneously which then took us off course and out through and beyond Coalville before we realised. I was flying blind so had nothing to offer but when we ended up on a footpath having to carry our bikes over kissing gates I knew then perhaps I should consult the phone. We were indeed some way off course so used my phone to navigate back to Snibston but at some point lost the guys behind me who I thought were following me. I waited briefly at Snibston as I checked my phone a few times to make sure I was in the right place but I couldn’t see anyone so I carried on solo. It was at this point I realised I could probably follow my breadcrumb, no map screen as it beeped if I went off course. So a combination of tracking the arrow directions and looking out for bridleway and byway signs I managed to carry on and find my way round.

On my own now I pushed on quite hard to Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood (what a mouthful!) thinking I could somehow catch everyone LOL. Not a chance boy.

I was quite quiet except for the odd family walking and much drier this year after last years floods. Quite windy though and the drag up from the lake was quite tough too.

From here I headed out back on the roads to Heather but missed a bridleway turn on one corner but the GPS did it’s trick and told me to turn round. After Heather we cut through Sence Valley Country Park which has some really nice wide, open (proper!) gravel paths.

I got a bit lost in Ibstock again before heading into Grange Wood where I caught up with a few riders, passed them and then had to pass them again as I’d gone the wrong way and had to retrace.

Who managed the steep climb parallel to the steps by the Aldi Distribution Centre? The climb reminded me of a classic cyclocross course where most would run up the steps. Only the stupid would ride lol. I just about had enough grip and energy to push up onto the plateau overlooking the massive warehouse before dropping down below it’s perimeter fence which really made you realise how big the site and the building is.

It was tarmac for a few miles now through Nailstone and Barton-in-the-Beans. Headwind though and a horrible drizzle rolled in making things a bit moist and miserable.

The short canal section was fine. I expected it to be cut up but it rode really well, so well I cut the next tarmac section out and carried on to the next bridge and got off there for another lengthy section of road to Snarestone. I completely lost my marbles at the Brickworks rolling around trying to find the path then saw it tucked away in the corner running down the side of the fence. Great section this. Quiet, fast with some 90 deg turns to spice it up before you roll onto the old railway line.

At Measham, again I lost my marbles trying to find the disused railway line after passing under the A42. I found it and then you wonder how?

From here it’s a great section of trail which only crosses a couple of roads and takes you onto the Conkers cycle circuit and round the lake.

The best bit of trail for me was Gorse Lane near the end. Nice and wide and full of autumnal colour. Testing too with it’s draggy climb sapping the last bits of energy.

I was tired now. I knew I wasn’t far away but resisted the urge to check the GPS in case I was disappointed. I think I went the wrong side of the canal at Moira and muddled my way around some roads to get back on track.

The route then took me up through a new housing estate and I saw a sign for Hicks Lodge 1 mile which was a nice surprise. I was closer to the end than I thought.

I pulled up at the cafe which had plenty of bikes racked up outside. I needed a hot drink and some food. I met ‘Chopsy’ from the Downhill Smooth Tarmac crew and sat with them and had a chat. Geoff hit me up with some stickers and then we did some photos and footage outside with Julie again before saying our goodbyes and headed home.

All in all a great day out for me.

1. I needed to ride my gravel bike. It had been way too long since I’d last ridden offroad
2. I needed to ride an event just to socialise, I ride indoors and solo too much
3. I needed a hot bath. Been too long too.

All boxes ticked. Today I’m re-energised and keen to relaunch the Gravelton Events for 2025 with some new ideas so watch this space

Great to meet you all

Adios.