North York Moors unveils quartet of gravel loops linking rail stations to u2018champagne gravelu2019

Four fresh circular routes have been unveiled across the northern reaches of the North York Moors National Park, giving gravel and off-road riders a new excuse to explore one of England’s wildest corners.

The rides were mapped out by National Park staff working alongside local riders John and a small group of enthusiasts who know the terrain intimately, threading together bridleways, forest tracks and quiet lanes past historic sites and sweeping moorland views. Much of the surface has already earned a reputation among regulars as “champagne gravel” – fast-rolling, well-drained tracks that reward drop-bar bikes without punishing them.

A deliberate feature of the new network is its connection to the railway. Each loop starts and finishes close to a station on the line that skirts the park, meaning riders can arrive by train, spin out into the hills and moorland, and return without needing a car – a boost for those wanting to cut down on driving to trailheads or combine a ride with a wider day out.

For readers at On Track, it’s a timely reminder that some of Britain’s best gravel riding doesn’t require a passport or a long drive north of the border. With gravel bike sales continuing to hold up even as wider cycle sales soften, routes like these that pair genuine adventure with practical, sustainable access are likely to prove popular with weekend riders and those building up for longer touring or bikepacking trips later in the year.

Full route details, including distances, climbing and downloadable GPX files, are expected to be published via the National Park’s own cycling pages, with all four loops designed to be ridden as standalone day rides or linked together for a more ambitious multi-day exploration of the moors.

More from gravel on On Track Magazine.

Reported from an announcement by BikeBiz. Read the original.