Right here’s a collection of a few of our favorite Gravel Bike Trails on supply within the North West!

The Guild Wheel

The Guild Wheel is a Merlin Cycles native 21-mile round route of Preston, Lancashire ridden in both course. The route can be utilized as a stand-alone journey or integrated into an all-day epic.

With entrances to the path all through, you possibly can be a part of on wherever you want and escape the visitors of Preston.

The Guild Wheel is each scenic and accessible for all expertise ranges, many utilizing it as their introduction to biking earlier than they tackle longer rides. The Guild Wheel is a perfect gravel coaching floor and ideal for any weekend journey with associates or household. Stops en route embrace Avenham Park, the right place for a espresso cease subsequent to the River Ribble.

The Lancaster Canal

This Canal route provides you the liberty to journey Preston to Kendal while having fun with some beautiful scenes. The Lancaster Canal passes alongside the coast which supplies you choices to veer off and go to Heysham and Morecambe.

Among the finest elements about this canal is the views all through, that includes the Lune Aquaduct, historic previous of Lancaster and beautiful woodlands. I’ve rode this canal all through the summer time months and totally loved it. Employees member Shaun took to the canal this month, however warned us beware the mud in some sections!

The Trans Pennine Path

This path options paths and terrain appropriate for all talent ranges and hyperlinks each the North and Irish seas. The whole thing of the route from Southport to Hornsea is round 216 miles and options many historic cities and cities. I typically frequent the route round Spike Island and Hale.

You’ll journey alongside rivers, canals and there may be many cafes and pubs alongside route to maintain you properly fuelled. Employees Member Steve has accomplished the route over a number of days or you possibly can select to do a collection of it at a time. The selection is yours! However don’t miss out on an epic journey which can be in your doorstep…

Delamere Forest

Head to Cheshire’s Delamere Forest and also you’ll discover loads of gravel tracks, trails and lakeside routes to discover. There are marked biking routes that are appropriate for all talent ranges in addition to a lot with extra technical terrain.

The forest has it’s personal lodges, cafe and services permitting you to make a full day of your using or perhaps a weekend break! Whether or not you fancy a day of chilled using with associates or household or tearing up a number of the tougher trails there’s something for everybody right here!

Sankey Valley Path

A shorter path, than the others talked about, however a hidden gem you shouldn’t miss in case you are over within the St Helens or Warrington space.

This path contains many properly paved and largely mud free gravel which you’ll be able to cowl at a good common velocity from Carr Mill Dam to The Ferry Inn close to Spike Island. In case you go for a extra leisurely journey there may be loads of wildlife, ponds and seating areas to cease and chill out while you take pleasure in a mid journey snack. This path additionally incorporates a large path all through, which is all the time appreciated.

The Leeds to Liverpool Canal

The Leeds to Liverpool Canal, is a unbelievable choice to plan into your rides. Many Merlin employees use it to get off the roads for a shortcut mid route and even to make use of as an entire route from one finish to the opposite!

With loads of locations to cease for a espresso, pint or ice cream, the route is usually near native facilities in comparison with the Lancaster Canal. The entire canal stretches round 125 miles in complete from one finish to the opposite, so would make a real problem for those who hit all of it in sooner or later…

Rivington and Healy Nab

A neighborhood favorite for Merlin Employees and Clients alike. Many people grew up using our 26″ MTB on the paths and now extra riders are seen out on a gravel bike right here. With numerous loops and sections of various terrain to select from you possibly can have a grand time out in Rivington and the encircling areas in your gravel bike.

With stops just like the Rivington Brewery, Bowling Inexperienced, White Coppice Cricket Membership and Barn Cafe close by you don’t have any excuse for operating out of gas mid journey… Plus there’s loads of landmarks and views reminiscent of The Pike, Reservoirs The Pigeon Tower and Terraced Gardens to see right here!

Cuerden Valley Park

This properly paved and maintained park is utilized by many cyclists from newbies to gravel consultants alike and has been a part of my gravel bike commute for a few years now. With beneficiant maintained paths to make use of all through and woodland trails which diverge from the principle areas of the park, you’re assured a lovely journey. The park features a cafe, lake (dwelling to Herons and different wildlife) flowing streams, bridge crossings and hyperlinks onto different cycle networks such because the Previous Tramway Cycle Route (Nationwide Cycle Community Route 55) heading south to Preston.

In case you go via Chorley or Preston, right here’s a advised route on the map you may observe, roughly six miles, together with a lot of the park which may very well be tailored into an extended gravel journey. Ranging from the Whittle Le-Woods (the birthplace of Merlin Cycles) main you to the Guild Wheel route in Preston.

Wigan and Ince Gray Hills

Wigan’s Gravel Gems? In Wigan you’ll discover many elderly railway strains and the Gray Hills of Ince which characteristic many tracks to deal with in your gravel bike. You’ll find a number of shortcuts and escape the busy rounds or just have a break from the canal if that’s your normal route for Wigan gravelling.

Pincock Forehead

Pictured right here is the Weir on River Yarrow close to Pincock, not removed from Merlin HQ. The scenic trails are a pleasant place to cease and take within the surroundings mid journey and positively value a go to! Right here’s Mike’s Merlin G2X noticed at Pincock Forehead!

That rounds up a few of our favorite and native haunts on the gravel bike! Tell us that are favourites wherever you reside! Maybe you understand a few of these just like the again of your hand?!