Gravel bikes at trail centres
Gravel bikes at trail centres
I ride an Orange 5RS and a Sonder Camino Ti gravel bike. I have been looking for feedback from anyone who has ridden a gravel bike around the Altura trails at whinlatter, I have ridden some fairly bumpy stuff on the Sonder and wondered if it would be suitable for whinlatter as I won't have my 5 with me
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Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
I haven't ridden it. but when I'm visiting new trail centres and bike parks whilst travelling with work, I use YouTube videos to decide which bike to take. (Relying on a stranger's opinion can be risky - i.e. Sam Pilgrim can regularly be seen blasting trails on a 1970s ladies' folding shopper which I wouldn't be capable of on any bike.) I'm interested in Forestry Commission trails as they're free and often of a decent length so I've just done your research for you... The following was the most helpful footage I could find on YouTube:Tango wrote: ↑19 Jan 2022, 11:00am I ride an Orange 5RS and a Sonder Camino Ti gravel bike. I have been looking for feedback from anyone who has ridden a gravel bike around the Altura trails at whinlatter, I have ridden some fairly bumpy stuff on the Sonder and wondered if it would be suitable for whinlatter as I won't have my 5 with me
My conclusions are that it's mainly smooth/gravel single-track with plenty of switchbacks (both bermed and flat) with a few easy features such as rock gardens (see 1.40 and 7.40), a 1 foot unavoidable drop (2.40), some avoidable drops (6.12 and 6.40), a techy/rooty steep section (3.15) and some easy table-top jumps which you could roll (8.00.) I'd have no qualms about doing it on a gravel bike, but obviously chunkier tyres, longer rake and a dropper post would make it easier. As with any new trail, I'd slow right down at any blind corners or horizons as you might want to walk down that unavoidable drop and the trail may have been changed or deteriorated in the 2 and a half years since that video was made.
Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
I consider the Reds here in the Forest of Dean, as fine for my carbon CX bike.
Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
Thanks for taking the time to do that for me, much appreciatedDevonDamo wrote: ↑19 Jan 2022, 3:51pmI haven't ridden it. but when I'm visiting new trail centres and bike parks whilst travelling with work, I use YouTube videos to decide which bike to take. (Relying on a stranger's opinion can be risky - i.e. Sam Pilgrim can regularly be seen blasting trails on a 1970s ladies' folding shopper which I wouldn't be capable of on any bike.) I'm interested in Forestry Commission trails as they're free and often of a decent length so I've just done your research for you... The following was the most helpful footage I could find on YouTube:Tango wrote: ↑19 Jan 2022, 11:00am I ride an Orange 5RS and a Sonder Camino Ti gravel bike. I have been looking for feedback from anyone who has ridden a gravel bike around the Altura trails at whinlatter, I have ridden some fairly bumpy stuff on the Sonder and wondered if it would be suitable for whinlatter as I won't have my 5 with me
My conclusions are that it's mainly smooth/gravel single-track with plenty of switchbacks (both bermed and flat) with a few easy features such as rock gardens (see 1.40 and 7.40), a 1 foot unavoidable drop (2.40), some avoidable drops (6.12 and 6.40), a techy/rooty steep section (3.15) and some easy table-top jumps which you could roll (8.00.) I'd have no qualms about doing it on a gravel bike, but obviously chunkier tyres, longer rake and a dropper post would make it easier. As with any new trail, I'd slow right down at any blind corners or horizons as you might want to walk down that unavoidable drop and the trail may have been changed or deteriorated in the 2 and a half years since that video was made.
I've looked at the points you have highlighted and there's nothing there that I wouldn't do on the gravel bike. Particularly as I went for flat bars on mine
One day you life will flash before your eyes
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Make sure it's worth watching!
Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
Yes - a mate of mine recently bought exactly that bike with flat bars and raves about it. I can see the attraction of that style of bike - I prefer my battered old hardtail XC bike over my mega-expensive full-suss trail bike because it's lighter, faster and it forces you to learn some technique rather than just soaking everything up for you.
Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
Both bikes give me a buzz, but the Sonder has a strange attraction fueled by people saying "you can't go down there on that"
One day you life will flash before your eyes
Make sure it's worth watching!
Make sure it's worth watching!
Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
Trailforks website also a good source of videos for many UK centres.
Whinlatter here:
https://www.trailforks.com/region/whinlatter/videos/
Whinlatter here:
https://www.trailforks.com/region/whinlatter/videos/
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Re: Gravel bikes at trail centres
Absolutely! I've ridden Glentress and Hamsterley on a gravel bike...it's a hoot! I rode Whinlatter on a rigid single speed mountain bike too, and it was fine.
Yep, there are some bits that I avoid, but the guidelines when building any red route say there should always be a route around drops etc.
I would urge a little caution on the smooth stuff...you can carry a lot more speed than on a mountain bike which might catch you out.
Yep, there are some bits that I avoid, but the guidelines when building any red route say there should always be a route around drops etc.
I would urge a little caution on the smooth stuff...you can carry a lot more speed than on a mountain bike which might catch you out.