With the promise of perfect spring weather and a window of free time, the St Neots gravel riders set out on a slightly more ambitious adventure than normal—a 91 km route sourced from the old club website.

There were glorious bluebell-lined trails around Sandy RSPB and the Biggleswade Green Wheel to Jordan’s Mill—riding through these stretches felt positively angelic. However, there was a little too much tarmac before the off-road climb that marked the turn back home.  The effort was rewarded by smooth gravel and tranquil back lanes at the halfway point and a stop at a café for some superb bacon sandwiches at the brilliantly named Disco-licious (no mirror ball or 70s tunes unfortunately).

Adventures and detours

After refuelling at the café, the ride took a devilish turn. The route after Chicksands was blocked—a gate and a no entry sign—forcing a detour onto the busy A500. We persevered, navigating Bedford and the A603, before regaining our mojo along the path from Bedford Priory Park to Great Barford, remembering when Simon nearly cycled into the river and ended in the nettles last summer.

Embracing the explorer spirit, we turned off at Roxton, wandering through bridleways and welcoming a bit more chaos. The 100 km milestone was hit, and the riders rolled home a lot later than planned with a few more miles in our legs than expected. More rides to come during the rest of the year, all welcome.

Ride stats

• Distance: 106km
• Elevation gain: 597 m
• Ride Time: 5 hours 30 minutes (I know this is slow, but we were off-road!)

Tips and recommendations

• Disco-licious café in Lower Gravenhurst is a slice of heaven for hungry cyclists—highly recommended.
• Never underestimate the joy of discovering new bridleways. Even if they add a little extra “hell” to your ride, it’s all part of the adventure. Remember: you’re not lost, just exploring—but perhaps save the wandering for days when you haven’t already ridden 100 km!