{"id":381,"date":"2021-12-25T15:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-12-25T14:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=659521"},"modified":"2021-12-25T15:20:08","modified_gmt":"2021-12-25T14:20:08","slug":"bikeradars-best-rides-of-2021-6-epic-gravel-mountain-bike-and-touring-adventures","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bikeradars-best-rides-of-2021-6-epic-gravel-mountain-bike-and-touring-adventures\/","title":{"rendered":"BikeRadar\u2019s best rides of 2021 | 6 epic gravel, mountain bike and touring adventures"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 25 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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With lockdown restrictions largely lifting in spring and an occasionally roasting hot summer here in the UK, the team made the most of their riding time 2021.<\/p>\n

Now entombed in the gloomy depths of December, we\u2019ve decided to end the year on a high note and look back at our best rides of the last 12 months. From epic gravel-flavoured adventures to fun homely loops, the team has packed in a tonne of truly memorable rides.<\/p>\n

If\u00a0you want to see more like this, be sure to\u00a0give BikeRadar a follow on Komoot<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Robyn Furtado \u2013 a Gower gravel adventure<\/h2>\n
\""Gower\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The loop has great views out over Carmarthen Bay.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robyn Furtado \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Fresh out of last winter\u2019s lockdown, the main thing I wanted to do in spring was go cycling in Wales.<\/p>\n

The route I decided on was an off-road circuit of the Gower Peninsula. The Gower is well known for its gigantic, remote beaches, but I\u2019d never seen anyone cycling there, so I was interested to approach it on two wheels.<\/p>\n

I went with my partner, Sven, who hasn\u2019t done much gravel cycling. I sold him this route as \u2018the easiest gravel adventure in Wales\u2019, so it had a lot to live up to.<\/p>\n

We started in Swansea, and quickly climbed out of the city onto the moors. The first few miles were surprisingly squelchy and not completely straightforward, with more than a few bogs to wade through, not to mention several wrong turns and three fences to throw the bikes over. Things did improve, however, once we\u2019d cleared the first five miles.<\/p>\n

As we headed around the peninsula, the scenery got more wild and hilly, with quiet, lovely lanes and a well-located pub for a lunchtime nap.<\/p>\n

\""Gower\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
There are some big pushes on the ride.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robyn Furtado \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

We climbed up onto the moors at the southernmost point of the peninsula on a formidable double-track climb, which opened out to wide, beautiful vistas across Carmarthen Bay and beyond. We cruised along the top of the moor for a while, before plunging back to sea-level through flowering gorse bushes and the odd panicked sheep.<\/p>\n

The route officially climbs up again, back over Rhossili Down, but as the path was closed that day, we took a bridleway along the edge of Rhossili beach instead. There was a ridiculously steep path back up from the beach to Rhossili village, which took a lot of pushing and panting to get up, but was worth it for the views back over the beach.<\/p>\n

We camped at Oxwich, ending the day in very British fashion \u2013 by eating our body weight in chips, hiding from the hungry seagulls, and watching a rainy sunset.<\/p>\n

The full loop is around 50 miles, with 3,500 feet of climbing and would make a good weekend bikepacking<\/a> trip or a long day ride. The area is stunning, and always within reach of a pub or cafe.<\/p>\n

I mentioned I was writing about the trip to Sven, and he said it was: \u201ca great weekend\u201d completely unprompted, so it must have lived up to the hype!<\/p>\n