The Gravelton Rewind


After the success of The Gravelton, it was inevitable we would do it again but the other way round so I called it The Gravelton Rewind. It’s a different way of managing your energy. Rather than saving it up for the end, this time the nasty stuff is at the start, so you have to manage how many matches you burn up over of the Lickey, Waseley and Clent Hills. Get it wrong and you’ll be hanging at the end.

There is now doubt The Gravelton Rewind, in addition to The Gravelton, is one of THE biggest gravel challenges in the West Midlands. If you complete this route, you are a GOAT.

I’ve ridden this route once in 2023

Start & Finish

The published route starts in Alvechurch but you can start and finish anywhere en-route as long as you complete it.

The Route

Distance: 165km (102 miles)
Elevation: 1500m (4900ft)

The route starts in Alvechurch and works riders hard early on as they deal with the seemingly endless Lickey, Waseley and Clent Hills. Canal and the South Staffs Railway path will be a welcome restbite as the route meanders northwards through The Black Country. It then switches to some transitional tarmac before the fun of of Cannock Chase beckons to the highpoint of the route. Homebound now, riders traverse Gentleshaw Common for great views of the city in the distance then some more towpath. It ends at Aldridge for more tarmac relief then it’s into Sutton Park with New Hall and Pype Hayes Parks following in quick succession. From here riders dip into and out of Birmingham City Centre on it’s world famous canal network. It’s almost canal all the way home then except for a couple of kickers navigating over Wast Hills tunnel before picking the canal up again to finish. A well earned pint at The Crown Inn beckons.

The Rules

  1. Don’t drive to the route. If you need to drive, find somewhere suitable to park and park sensibly.
  2. Take your litter home.
  3. It’s not a race.
  4. Be courteous to other trail users. The route is open to the public and it gets narrow in places so be prepared to share your space nicely if you have to. A bell is highly recommended.
  5. To claim your space on the GOAT wall of fame, submit it below
Submit my ride

Gallery