Join us for a ride
on the wild side
gravel basics courses
New to the off-road thing - and want to give it a go?
Maybe a roadie and want to brush up on off-road technique?
Our gravel basics sessions will help you to develop skills and build confidence. Focused on off-road basics & the essentials. Covering bike & gear setup, position, gear selection, braking, cornering, tackling varied terrain, surfaces and gradients amongst many others.
These sessions will help you to develop technique, build confidence and get more from your off-road adventures.
_edited.jpg)
off-road gravel basics - chiltern hills
duration: 1/2 day 10:00 - 13:00
location: Tring
dates: ON demand
Price pp: £65
Bike hire option (select with your booking)
These sessions for individuals or small groups are held in the stunning Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and led by British Cycling certified coach - less than an hour from London. The sessions will help you to develop technique and build confidence. Focused on the basics - yet essentials - such as ascending and descending, gear selection, braking on loose surfaces and varied terrain - the aim is to help you to get more from your off-road adventures. We will guide you through the basics on our specially selected routes and varied terrains to help develop these essentials.
Type: gravel
difficulty: Beginner
Group size: 6 max
off-road gravel basics - richmond park
Duration: 1/2 day 10;00-13;00
location: Richmond park
dates: ON demand
Price pp: £75
bBike hire option (select with your booking)
These sessions for individuals or small groups are held in and around Richmond Park, Surrey by British Cycling certified coach. The sessions will help you to develop technique and build confidence. Focused on the basics - yet essentials - such as ascending and descending, gear selection, braking on loose surfaces and varied terrain - the aim is to help you to get more from your off-road adventures. We will guide you through the basics on our specially selected routes and varied terrains to help develop these essentials.
Type: gravel
difficulty: Beginner
group size: 6 max
my Surrey valentine
BACK AUTUMN/WINTER 2026
self-guided, on n off-road
free to enter
Surrey hills
start/FINISH Forge 1860 232 Upper Richmond Rd London SW14 8AG
Join us for a chilled ride into the stunning Surrey Hills.
Start and finish at the Forge 1860 (Pearsons) Cycles West London.
Arrive at 9:00 - 9:30, have yourself @forge1860 coffee, have a browse around the shop. Join the briefing at 9:30 for a staggered roll-out 9:45 - 10:15.
From the bike shop - the routes roll out through Richmond Park on gentle rolling gravel and out into the Surrey Hills on a mix of scenic country lanes, sublime bridleways and forest trails.
2 routes to choose from: 50km and 35km.
Wind up back at Forge 1860 Cycles for a chat and connect/reconnect with the super welcoming community of like-minded adventurers.
Bike hire is also available through Wild Cycles - please email john@wildcycles.co.uk.
Type: self-guided mix of on/off-road
distance: 50km and c. 30km options (routes provided -1 week)
difficulty: Intermediate/social
max. Group size: 30
epping mid winter foret
BACK AUTUMN/WINTER '26
self-guided on n off-road
free to enter
Lee Valley epping forest
start/FINISH bloqs cafe London N18 3QT
Starting and finishing alongside the River Lee at the amazing BLOQs café. The folk at this special place will be on hand to serve up some fab pre-ride coffee and pastries to fuel your spin.
Arrive 9- 9:30, briefing at 9:30 - for a staggered 9:45-10:00 rollout. Wrap up warmly for this one.
You'll be amazed at how quickly the cityscapes disappear and are replaced by wild n beautiful open spaces. Our route rolls out along the picturesque River Lee. Cruise past Hackney Marshes and the Walthamstow Wetland Sanctuary before ramping (steep!) up into the Epping Forest for a blast along a selection of sublime sweeping gravel tracks - surprising, amazing and exhilarating.
This is a chilled social ride which ends back to BLOQs café for post-ride banter and a delicious lunch - specially prepared by the BLOQs kitchen. This is great opportunity to soak up more togertheness with this super welcoming community, re-connect and connect anew.
Type: self-guided on n off-road
distance: c. 40km (route to be provided -1 week)
difficulty: Intermediate/social
max. Group size: 30
Awesome social gravel
Whether you are new to cycling and just want to give it a go, or are a seasoned regular, our social group rides and courses are designed to get you out into nature and enjoying the best scenery the UK has to offer. Group rides and courses are super chilled and a great way to meet like-minded fun riders. Everyone's welcome.