{"id":41597,"date":"2022-09-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=41597"},"modified":"2022-10-04T17:42:15","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T15:42:15","slug":"16-experiences-for-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/2022\/09\/30\/16-experiences-for-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"16 experiences for 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gravel or road, here are our best cycling experiences for you to tackle in the UK and abroad in 2023 <\/p>\n\n

Words <\/strong>Matt Baird <\/p>\n\n

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With 3,000m of elevation gain over 129km, the Loch Ness is far from a serene lakeside meander <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

01 LOCH NESS CHALLENGE<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Dores, Scotland 129km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This gravel bike\/MTB-friendlyevent (in May TBC) starts at the village of Dores at dawn, before riders head north to Inverness and embark on a 129km loop of Loch Ness. The spectacular South Loch Ness Trail and the Great Glen Way provide the basis of the route, with the 3,000m of elevation gain letting us know that this isn\u2019t just a flat lakeside meander. The cut-off is 14hrs, again highlighting the tough yet rewarding nature of the challenge. <\/p>\n\n

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The Dirty Reiver in Northumberland’s Kielder Forest is one of the UK’s major gravel events <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

02 DIRTY REIVER<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Kielder Forest, Northumberland 65-200km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Kielder. Big forest. Lots of hills. Miles and miles of gravel roads. It\u2019s no wonder that the longrunning Dirty Reiver event (21- 23 April 2023) is ground zero for gravel grinding in the UK. This sizeable pocket of the country is a remote forested wilderness with a big reservoir at its green heart. Influenced by the gravel events of America\u2019s Midwest (see Garmin Unbound, right), Dirty Reiver stretches to a monstrous 200km across unruly ping-pong ball-sized gravel (less teeth-shattering 65km and 130km routes are also on offer). If the toughness stakes are sky high (elevation gain of the 200km route is 3,700m, which is up there with the Fred Whitton), so is that scenery, with widescreen panoramas of the border regions being showcased from the forest access roads. <\/p>\n\n

03 BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Various US destinations 113-212km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The America-wide Belgian Waffle Ride series are mixed road\/off-road races, inspired by the terrain of the Northern Classics pro races in Europe. Michigan, Utah, Kansas and North Carolina are all on the gritty and gravelly menu next year, with the \u2018Hell of the West\u2019 near San Diego, California, kicking off the BWR season on 15 April 2023 (pick from 60, 114 or 212km events). Alternatively, another Stateside biggie is Garmin Unbound (formerly Dirty Kansas) from 3 June 2023, which offers four days of adventures in the Flint Hills and regularly attracts some 4,000 gravel riders to Kansas for its six events (25-350 miles). <\/p>\n\n

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The near 300km venture that is the Hebridean Way in Scotland <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

04 Hebridean Way<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Vatersay to Isle of Lewis 297km <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Two ferries, six causeways and 297km of riding make up the Hebridean Way, which commences at Vatersay \u2013 the southernmost of the Outer Hebrides\u2019 inhabited islands \u2013 and finishes on the Isle of Lewis. This island-hopping, Outer Hebrides-style, takes place on the National Cycle Network Route 780, which means you\u2019re able to tackle it on a road bike. Make sure you pack swimming kit for the wonderful sandy beaches. <\/p>\n\n

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Cycling UK’s new Kent and East Sussex-based 234km Cantii Way loop<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

05 CANTII WAY<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Wye, Kent 234km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The latest multi-day, mixedterrain route from Cycling UK (creators of the King Alfred\u2019s and West Kernow Ways, but with more of a tarmac focus) starts in Wye in the Kent Downs, and hugs the coast before reaching lovely Rye in East Sussex. It then turns inland through the Kent countryside to Ashford and Canterbury and finishes in Wye, just 40 minutes on the train from London. Also look out for a new Norfolk route from Cycling UK in October. <\/p>\n\n

06 NORTHERN IRELAND C2C<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Whiteabbey, NI 390km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Cycling adventures, of course, don\u2019t have to be off-road, with 98% of this Sustrans coast to coast (C2C is actually short for \u2018Sea to Sea\u2019) route taking place on asphalt. It commences in Whiteabbey in Northern Ireland before heading on a largely traffic-free route to Lisburn and into the heart of Belfast. It then follows the Newry Canal and traverses the remote Sperrin mountains, passing Stone-Age alignments, ahead of Omagh and Enniskillen, before it concludes at Ballyshannon \u2013 in the Irish Republic \u2013 and alongside the surf-friendly Atlantic Ocean. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

07 GREAT NORTH TRAIL<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Peak District to John O\u2019Groats 1,287km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A corker from Cycling UK is the 1,287km Great North Trail. Starting at the Peak District, it links the Pennine Bridleway and concludes at either John O\u2019Groats or Cape Wrath on the northern tips of mainland Scotland (Cape Wrath is about 170km west of the more famous John O\u2019Groats). A mountain bike or 40mm-tyred gravel bike is recommended, as is some serious water- and wind-proof clothing, to help you enjoy this stunning route. <\/p>\n\n

08 NORTH COAST 500<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

North Scotland 805km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A ride you can do all-yearround, this is an 805km effort around Scotland\u2019s north coast. It\u2019s popular with drivers and motorbikers, but there are alternative routes for cyclists. Visit northcoast500.com<\/a> for daily itinerary ideas of around 65 miles per day, with helpful eating and sleeping options. The first day, starting in Inverness, is free on the website. You pay \u00a315 to become a \u2018Traveller Member\u2019 of the North Coast 500 for the other seven days. <\/p>\n\n

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Getting our bearings on the West Kernow Way’s Porthcurno beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

09 WEST KERNOW WAY<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Penzance, Cornwall 230km <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The sequel to Cycling UK\u2019s hit King Alfred\u2019s Way is this hilly Cornish experience, a 230km mainly off-road loop that starts and ends in Penzance. Designed to be ridden over three to four days, it takes in Land\u2019s End, St Michael\u2019s Mount, the Lizard Point, the Porthcurno beach\/ Minack Theatre combo and, possibly the best stretch of the lot, the Botallack and Levant tin mines. It\u2019s more road-based than the KAW and less epic in scope (but we\u2019d argue more enjoyable), yet the hills around the myriad of fishing villages shouldn\u2019t be underestimated. Pasties are mandatory, and skip the summer holidays and you\u2019ll have the trails to yourself. <\/p>\n\n

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The Haute Route Alps event takes place from 20-26 August 2023 <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

10. HAUTE ROUTE<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Multiple locations 200-725km <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

We\u2019ve long been fans of Haute Route\u2019s epic multi-day road adventures that tick off many of the classic and mountainous cycling destinations in Western Europe. Returning in 2023 are the Pyrenees, Alps and Italy\u2019s Dolomites, with Switzerland\u2019s Crans-Montana and Ventoux rejoining the schedule. Routes vary from three days of riding to a full week, with distances ranging from 200km to 725km. <\/p>\n\n

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The Isle of Wight is an island adventure worth making in 2023 <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

11. ISLE OF WIGHT LOOP<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

East Cowes 104km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A loop of the Isle of Wight, originally set to be the Tour of Britain\u2019s finale in 2022 (we hope it\u2019s included next year), can be done in a day. The 104km \u2018Round the Island\u2019 lap we rode in 2021 captured the seemingly relentless hills of the north and east, before the hairpins into Ventnor and the epic coastal stretches of the south coast took our breath away in more ways than one. The circular route is signposted throughout and, if you avoid the school holidays, you\u2019ll have much of the smooth tarmac to yourself, especially on the south\u2019s epic Military Road. <\/p>\n\n

12. GRINDURO<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Machynlleth, Wales 80km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Held in Machynlleth, mid- Wales, since 2021, Grinduro is a unique cycle-fest that combines the best elements of a mountain bike enduro with a gravel grinder-style road race. The event celebrates the fun and social aspects of bike riding as much as competing or making the podium, the 80km course boasting four timed sections while the rest is ridden at a relaxed pace. Live music, dancing, free food, camping, custom bike stands and a special Grinduro pale ale add to the festival feel. If you can\u2019t make the Wales event (July 2023 TBC), there are more Grinduros in California and Pennsylvania in the USA, Germany and Australia\u2019s Falls Creek. <\/p>\n\n

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The Rift in south-western Iceland is hugely popular for gravel riders <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

13. THE RIFT<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Hvolsv\u00f6llur, Iceland 200km <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

We wimped out in 2022 but will hopefully ride one of bike racing\u2019s most in-demand events on 22 July 2023. Based in the south-western highlands of Iceland, the Rift tasks entrants with riding 200km in a day across vast lava fields and past active volcanos, snowy peaks, glaciers and waterfalls. An oversubscribed registration process picks out the hardy participants each year. <\/p>\n\n

14. ENDURATHON<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Southern England 205km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Highly-rated Scottish clothing and kit brand Endura are launching a new gravel event for 2023, set around the gravel tracks of Salisbury Plain and Cranborne Chase. The debut Endurathon will boast a mighty course of around 205km. Former pro Marcel Kittel recently took on the course in a preview of 2023\u2019s inaugural showcase. Look out for our test ride next issue (out 28 October). <\/p>\n\n

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The near-400km L\u00f4n Las Cymru, which stretches from Anglesey to Cardiff<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

15. L\u00d4N LAS CYMRU<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Anglesey to Cardiff 380km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Three mountain passes and a couple of national parks (Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons) are the highlights of the L\u00f4n Las Cymru, which stretches through the entirety of Wales. Much of the near- 400km-long route is on quiet lanes and traffic-free cycle paths. It starts in Anglesey and, after traversing Snowdonia, the Brecons, Gospel Pass and the Black Mountains, concludes in Cardiff or Chepstow, before a welcome locomotive journey home. Alternatively, it can be ridden in the opposite southto-north direction. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

16. AUDAX ACTION<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Various 200-1,500km <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Only held every four years, and back for 2023, the Paris-Brest- Paris Randonn\u00e9e audax (20 August 2023), which began in 1891, sees riders travel from Paris to Brest and back. That\u2019s 1,200km within time limits ranging from 80 to 90 hours, depending on what time of day you start, and involves qualifying events. For audaxes in the UK, the 200km Dunwich Dynamo, from London to the Suffolk coast, is the biggest night ride in the UK (July TBC) and London Edinburgh London is a 1,500km self-supported cycle ride usually set for August and with a 125hr time limit. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gravel or road, here are our best cycling experiences for you to tackle in the UK and abroad in 2023 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":42041,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"140","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"140","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_140-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_140-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"November-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"November-2022","purple_external_id":"November-2022-140-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"November-2022-140-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000111762||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000111762||","purple_android_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.398","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.398","purple_ios_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.398","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.398","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"d6ad2395-23ab-4326-a10d-940b8b948490","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-09-29T16:21:07Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"a0b87d07-647c-4ffc-9054-339edf531816","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-10-04T15:42:25Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AoLh9B2R8T_yQVDOe31MYFg","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[43],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-scaled.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"9","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-scaled.jpg",2560,2347,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-300x275.jpg",300,275,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-768x704.jpg",768,704,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-1024x939.jpg",800,734,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-1536x1408.jpg",1536,1408,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2022\/09\/loch-ness360-172-2048x1878.jpg",2048,1878,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Gravel or road, here are our best cycling experiences for you to tackle in the UK and abroad in 2023","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41597"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41597"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41597\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42206,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41597\/revisions\/42206"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}