Cycling Holiday Grades

For those new to gravel cycling or who don't have a high level of fitness. All of the non-paved sections will be wide tracks and not technically demanding. The gravel trails will generally have a hardpacked and smooth rolling surface. You may come across sand and/or mud in places where it can be more difficult to gain traction. If you’re bringing your own bike, we would recommend a minimum tyre width of 35mm. 20-40 miles / 30-60 kms per day.

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Is this suitable for you?

You’re new to gravel riding or are trying a gravel riding holiday for the first time. You might not own a gravel bike, but you might have ridden non-paved bike paths or non-technical off-road trails. You are interested in seeing what gravel riding is like and are looking for gentle riding, with very low levels of traffic. You might also have tried our lower grade road, leisure cycling or cycling adventures trips.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

For semi-regular gravel and off-road riders wishing to gain experience and fitness. The riding will be on undulating or rolling trails, with occasional moderate to challenging climbs and descents on non-paved surfaces. The gravel trails are primarily non-technical wider tracks and can have a more loose or variable surface. You are likely to encounter loose gravel, stones and sandy sections. You may come across some muddy trails depending on recent weather and there might be short sections where you need to walk with your bike. If you’re bringing your own bike, we would recommend a minimum tyre width of 35mm. 30-45 miles / 50-70 kms per day.

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Is this suitable for you?

You have done some riding on non-paved trails previously. You really love being away from traffic and riding off-road on not too technical trails. You ride regularly at weekends, and although not necessarily off-road, you are keen to practice these skills. You’re happy to include some climbing and descending into each day’s route. You might have also tried our higher-grade leisure or cycling adventures trips.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

For gravel and off-road riders with experience, good fitness and a decent level of skill. Some features that may be experienced more frequently in a higher-grade tour. The gravel trails encountered are a mix of wider trails that can be rough in places and non-technical singletrack. Trails can vary more in width and in surface type. You will likely encounter some steeper sections, loose gravel, stones and on occasion stretches of sand and/or mud to navigate. You will need to choose your line more carefully and might need to move from one side of the trail to the other to find the smoothest line and the best grip/least rolling resistance. There might be short sections where you need to walk with your bike. Not for beginners, some off-road experience is essential. If you’re bringing your own bike, we would recommend a minimum tyre width of 38mm. 35-55 miles / 55-90 kms per day.

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Is this suitable for you?

You regularly ride off-road, although you’re not necessarily into full-on mountain biking. You enjoy getting into the countryside and getting away from roads and traffic. You’re happy with climbing and descending off-road. The occasional cheeky section of singletrack with some roots or rocks to navigate doesn’t worry you. You’re likely to own your own gravel bike, cyclocross bike or mountain bike. You might have tried one of our mid-level mountain bike or road trips, as well as having off-road experience.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

For experienced gravel and off-road riders with good stamina and skill level. The gravel trails will be demanding in nature and can include sections of much larger pebbles/small rocks, loose gravel, sand and mud. You will definitely need to pick your line carefully in places across uneven terrain. Traction may be difficult on climbs and descents can be loose, steep and a little sketchy at times. You will need the skill to handle sections of technical terrain, including narrow singletrack, deep gullies and rocky sections. There might be short sections where you need to walk with your bike. This is gravel riding for experienced riders. If you’re bringing your own bike, we would recommend a minimum tyre width of 38mm. 40-75 miles / 65-120 kms per day.

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Is this suitable for you?

You’re an experienced off-road rider and enjoy riding on a variety of surfaces and gradients. You can happily pick the smoothest line on a trail and don’t mind some trail obstacles to navigate over and around. You have a good level of fitness and are happy with spending 6 hours and more on the bike each day. You will be fit, up for an adventure and either already own a gravel bike or are seriously considering buying one.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

Designed for skilled gravel and off-road cyclists with good stamina and a high level of fitness. The gravel trails will be borderline mountain bike riding in places. Expect a real mix of surface types, widths and materials. You might encounter mud, roots, rocks, sand and loose gravel. There will definitely be some singletrack and some of it might have small roots, rocks or other obstacles to ride over/around. Riders with mountain bike experience will love this type of riding. Serious gravel riding for experienced riders. If you’re bringing your own bike, we would recommend a minimum tyre width of 45mm. 70-90 miles / 110-140 kms per day.

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Is this suitable for you?

You’re fully sold on the idea of gravel riding and love the combination of fun, adventure and challenge that a day spent riding gravel trails can bring. You like riding a real mix of surfaces and terrain and can happily ride routes that are borderline mountain bike trails. You will own a gravel bike and perhaps it’s even your favourite bike. You’re happy with big days out in hilly countryside and don’t mind a bit of hike-a-bike if necessary.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.