Out on manoeuvres
- Ian Ryder
- May 11, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 12, 2023
In a fit of madness, way back in 2021, I decided I would set my sights on riding the Rift gravel race in Iceland in 2023. At that time I was struggling to ride much over 10 miles on the flat gravel of the Downs Link - so 120 miles through the lava fields and glacial rivers of Iceland did seem a teensy bit of a stretch... However, where there's a will, there is perhaps a way. With a lot of help from my new cycling friends and the support of my long suffering good lady, I think I might just make it. I've even managed to rope in my younger son to ride with me - I think I got him to agree in the pub one night, after several beers. So, we now have three months left before the big adventure, and it was time to give the shiny new gravel bike and the not so shiny, not so new legs a proper trial. Cometh the gravel ride, cometh the man...
The day of the ride looked like it would be quite pleasant, and we all had big grins on our faces for the grand
depart at Thruxton racetrack. but in fact it turned out to be a combination of blowy and cloudy with more than a smattering of rain. Not too cold though, and the singletrack was rideable with caution (except for a few sections where you needed either a snorkel or to walk your bike around).
After a brief safety talk, we set off in groups of around 30 riders apiece - and it wasn't too long before we were out on Salisbury Plain. The gravel on the plain is relatively stony, and varies from smoothish to downright jarring - but for the most part it was very rideable. Early on in the ride we were accompanied by the distant thud of heavy artillery, a timely reminder that we shouldn't stray from the marked route! One of the chaps I was riding alongside made a comment that it was good to be back on the plain again - I asked if he had been on this ride before, but no - however he had been in the army for 20 years or more. So, I asked if he would be familiar with what stuff it was safe to touch or not (we had been warned that things we found off the track might explode) - his advice was that, basically, nothing was safe... The signs weren't all that welcoming, either. Being told that you are about to enter an 'impact area' is somehow much more convincing than a sign saying 'Private land'...
The route was well marked wherever you might be unsure of the way ahead, and the feed stops (of which there were 3-4 on the 70 mile route) were well stocked and located - so even if you had nothing with you but water you would not have run out of energy on the ride.
In the middle of the ride the weather changed and the rain started - so for around 90 minutes we were slogging over the windy and wet tops of the plain until the sun came out again, just in time to dry us off a bit. By the end of the ride we were beginning to tire, but I felt I had enough left in the tank for a bit further if we had needed it. he climbing had been similar to that on the Iceland ride, but in shorter distance - so overall quite encouraging with around 3 months still to go.
The promised beer on arrival proved to be non-alcoholic (a little disappointing, but probably a wise move - and certainly something welcome to slake the thirst). All told, it had been a great day out, and something I'd be very happy to try again - in fact I've already booked for a similar ride on the South Downs in early July.
Lastly, a quick word about the ride organisers and the route. The ride was operated by 'Glorious Gravel' and though I have little experience of organised rides (and never of one on gravel) I would say they did a really good job. It wasn't that expensive either. The route was varied and enjoyable, with everything from single track to roads and a few punchy climbs thrown in to keep us working. There were plenty of times I found myself thinking 'this is quite epic' - and all told it was a really fabulous event. Quick view of the route and profile from Komoot below:
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