Right here’s a choice of a few of our favorite Gravel Bike Trails on supply within the North West!
The Guild Wheel
The Guild Wheel is a Merlin Cycles native 21-mile round route of Preston, Lancashire ridden in both route. The route can be utilized as a stand-alone experience or integrated into an all-day epic.
With entrances to the path all through, you may be a part of on wherever you want and escape the visitors of Preston.
The Guild Wheel is each scenic and accessible for all expertise ranges, many utilizing it as their introduction to biking earlier than they tackle longer rides. The Guild Wheel is a perfect gravel coaching floor and excellent for any weekend experience with pals or household. Stops en route embody Avenham Park, the proper place for a espresso cease subsequent to the River Ribble.
The Lancaster Canal
This Canal route offers you the liberty to experience Preston to Kendal while having fun with some beautiful scenes. The Lancaster Canal passes alongside the coast which provides you choices to veer off and go to Heysham and Morecambe.
The most effective components about this canal is the views all through, that includes the Lune Aquaduct, historic previous of Lancaster and beautiful woodlands. I’ve rode this canal all through the summer season months and completely loved it. Workers member Shaun took to the canal this month, however warned us beware the mud in some sections!
The Trans Pennine Path
This path options paths and terrain appropriate for all ability ranges and hyperlinks each the North and Irish seas. The whole lot of the route from Southport to Hornsea is round 216 miles and options many historic cities and cities. I typically frequent the route round Spike Island and Hale.
You’ll experience alongside rivers, canals and there may be many cafes and pubs alongside route to maintain you nicely fuelled. Workers Member Steve has accomplished the route over just a few days or you may select to do a choice of it at a time. The selection is yours! However don’t miss out on an epic experience which can be in your doorstep…
Delamere Forest
Head to Cheshire’s Delamere Forest and also you’ll discover loads of gravel tracks, trails and lakeside routes to discover. There are marked biking routes that are appropriate for all ability ranges in addition to a lot with extra technical terrain.
The forest has it’s personal lodges, cafe and services permitting you to make a full day of your driving or perhaps a weekend break! Whether or not you fancy a day of chilled driving with pals or household or tearing up among the more difficult trails there’s something for everybody right here!
Sankey Valley Path
A shorter path, than the others talked about, however a hidden gem you shouldn’t miss in case you are over within the St Helens or Warrington space.
This path contains many nicely paved and largely mud free gravel which you’ll be able to cowl at an honest common velocity from Carr Mill Dam to The Ferry Inn close to Spike Island. If you happen to go for a extra leisurely experience there may be loads of wildlife, ponds and seating areas to cease and calm down while you get pleasure from a mid experience snack. This path additionally encompasses a vast path all through, which is at all times appreciated.
The Leeds to Liverpool Canal
The Leeds to Liverpool Canal, is a incredible choice to plan into your rides. Many Merlin employees use it to get off the roads for a shortcut mid route and even to make use of as an entire route from one finish to the opposite!
With loads of locations to cease for a espresso, pint or ice cream, the route is usually near native facilities in comparison with the Lancaster Canal. The overall canal stretches round 125 miles in complete from one finish to the opposite, so would make a real problem if you happen to hit all of it in at some point…
Rivington and Healy Nab
A neighborhood favorite for Merlin Workers and Prospects alike. Many people grew up driving our 26″ MTB on the paths and now extra riders are seen out on a gravel bike right here. With numerous loops and sections of various terrain to select from you may have a grand day trip in Rivington and the encircling areas in your gravel bike.
With stops just like the Rivington Brewery, Bowling Inexperienced, White Coppice Cricket Membership and Barn Cafe close by you haven’t any excuse for operating out of gasoline mid experience… Plus there’s loads of landmarks and views comparable to The Pike, Reservoirs The Pigeon Tower and Terraced Gardens to see right here!
Cuerden Valley Park
This nicely paved and maintained park is utilized by many cyclists from newbies to gravel consultants alike and has been a part of my gravel bike commute for a few years now. With beneficiant maintained paths to make use of all through and woodland trails which diverge from the principle areas of the park, you’re assured an exquisite experience. The park features a cafe, lake (residence to Herons and different wildlife) flowing streams, bridge crossings and hyperlinks onto different cycle networks such because the Previous Tramway Cycle Route (Nationwide Cycle Community Route 55) heading south to Preston.
If you happen to move by Chorley or Preston, right here’s a advised route on the map you may comply with, roughly six miles, together with many of the park which may very well be tailored into an extended gravel experience. Ranging from the Whittle Le-Woods (the birthplace of Merlin Cycles) main you to the Guild Wheel route in Preston.
Wigan and Ince Gray Hills
Wigan’s Gravel Gems? In Wigan you’ll discover many elderly railway traces and the Gray Hills of Ince which function many tracks to sort out in your gravel bike. You will discover just a few shortcuts and escape the busy rounds or just have a break from the canal if that’s your standard route for Wigan gravelling.
Pincock Forehead
Pictured right here is the Weir on River Yarrow close to Pincock, not removed from Merlin HQ. The scenic trails are a pleasant place to cease and take within the surroundings mid experience and undoubtedly price a go to! Right here’s Mike’s Merlin G2X noticed at Pincock Forehead!
That rounds up a few of our favorite and native haunts on the gravel bike! Tell us that are favourites wherever you reside! Maybe a few of these just like the again of your hand?!
