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There's also a few McDonalds and plenty of Tesco

Celebrate the summer solstice in other countries
All about being connected and sharing

Going to ride this next week to celebrate the summer solstice. Never ridden the sections in red before, so any input would be appreciated. Not fussed about having routed through a footpath or a gated bit, more interested about major no-no that would require rerouting or just about missing out on good bits nearby. The jist is simple, keep it close to the M25, so will have to prioritize that over going more astray (looking at you Smoke ring challenge)

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47214447

All that has been already said above. Big cut on one on the first ride.
However, I did ride the length of the Pyrenees on them, offroad, with tubes, and only had very few punctures (motly pinch flats). Ahh, 2019, when 36mm were offroad tyres.

Done it twice, both times in July, loved the stable (albeit hot) weather and it was never too busy once you are up high, except maybe at weekends.

Nice is horrible and a completely anticlimatic end to such ride. Last year we rode to Ventimiglia instead, not particularly noteworthy, but easy enough train connection back to Turin. This also helped us keeping our luggage/bike boxes in Turin without sorting them for an A-B type of ride.

DO NOT crop the route, the best bits come later and the route is really nice up until you descend to the coast. A last stop in Sainte-Agnès is nice to gather your thoughts before the busy coastal roads.

The second time around I was able to add some bits to the OG route, both incredible, so here they are as a raccomendation:

• Variation via mt Jafferau: We descended from Assietta back towards the Val di Susa, then climbed to the top of Jafferau from Salbertrand. 5h long climb, all rideable, with a possible detour halfway to check an old fort. 1km long tunnel dug in the rock with some water in it, will need lights. The descent from the top of the mountain to Bardonecchia is sketchy and technical, essentially coming down a black run ski slope. There is probably a less dangerous way, but might involve some backtracking. I manged on a drop bar Surly on 45mm tyres, but needed some stops to let brakes cool down. https://www.strava.com/activities/9469786424

• Variation at the end of Via del Sale to La Brigue: Instead of descending to La Brigue, we added the ridgeline by Mt Saccarello, quite technical single track, but insane views. Some descents on it were a bit loose and required short hike a bike down, but otherwise all rideable. The ridge then rejoins the TNR #1 route at Colle del Garezzo with another long stretch of offroad before descending to La Brigue. This section has all been shortened in the more recent route. https://www.strava.com/activities/9495703557

See my Strava for other days/pictures

I'm new to off road riding.

Then rest assured you will try multiple types of tyres before eventually settling on what works for you, your riding and preferences.

For example riding offroad around London varies massively in conditions based on type of soil and terrain, and even with same conditions different people have different preferences.

Vittoria Terreno/Mezcals are a good place to start. I would say 40mm is plenty if you are not planning a bikepacking trip or to ride very rough surfaces really fast.

Sounds about right.

Also are nettles and thorns better behaved in other countries?

Now sold.

The whole video could belong in shit gravel grinders say.. And I've only watched the first 30s.

There is also this London - "almost" Brighton - London I did last summer. Long day out, especially on the way back.

But yeah, way down is always the same, pick your favourite route to Surrey Hills, then Downs Link to South Downs.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43368460

https://pelagobicycles.com/commuter-front-rack/

I have one of these to shift, tried it for a few weeks but not suiting my commuting needs enough to justify the "rad" looks. As such only used it lightly and then sat aside for a good year, came to admit I will never use it again. It's in really good condition and seems mildly hard to come by (Medium, stainless steel, polished version)

Would like £75 for it, collected from E10 or can meet along my commute between E10 and SE1

I miss when riding "gravel" was all about being underbiked..

It's the walkers that generally open new paths to avoid muddy puddles in my experience. Not trying to say bikes are harmless to a forest, but likely less harmful than horses and less numerous than walkers - depending on location.

Just stay away from the Scheduled Monuments.

I like how quickly the convo went from protests in Girona to dickheads in Epping Forest

It’s far too busy with hikers, dog walkers, pushchairers and horse riders to do anything else.

Not in small part the reason why I prefer to ride at early hours or away from main paths when possible. Otherwise, as stated above, the general rule is don't be a dick and share the paths.

road bike here these days.

Which coincidentally is also all you need to ride offroad

Good conditions

Don't seem particularly good from the feed I have seen

https://www.merlincycles.com/vittoria-terreno-dry-g20-tubeless-gravel-tyre-700c-266927.html

Good deal this, for your "summer" gravel needs

so many are dicks

Surely this must be the common underlying factor, regardless of it being Epping, Girona, Regents Park, on/off road..

Pretty fast riding this year!

Moving this elsewhere

Now sold.

Tyres now sold, so now down to £110 including rotors

They seem to have lived a good life

Very lush (and still wet) this morning