Longer: 50km gravel, 2.5 to 3 hours
Connecting gravel segments with nice bits of road and without making a ride too convoluted can sometimes be a challenge. This ride strings together a lot of sectors which make a continuous and rewarding ride. There are even more possibilities closer to home that I didn’t include this time, honestly because I was a bit tired by the end.
The route: Head out west through Holcott wood, over the 421 and then down the old railway into Brogborough.
Beyond Ridgemont there a bridleways leading to a fast gravel fireroad through Briar wood. Turning back towards Steppingley there is a right fork that takes a bridleway again into the Flitwick plantation and over the M1. This is a nice Bluebell wood in spring.
Next take church rd into Flitwick where we cross the railway by the main bridge, then head out east towards Flitton. Here there are a couple of ways to join the paths in the nature reserve.
From this point on its a case of how much gravel can you handle. The route is almost unbroken all the way back to Cranfield. Several variations are possible, but. the descent at Millbrook golf course is a classic. Just watch for walkers, perhaps give a shout on some of the corners.
Pros: Long ride which you can make as gravelly as you like.
Cons: The wood coming out Flitwick back to Steppingley uses a popular bridleway, watch for glass on the trail here.
In reverse: It works both ways, although maybe take the road climb at Liddlington to avoid a short push. If you want total max gravel the 2nd half of this ride makes a brilliant out-and-back with options to suit the direction.
Cranfield Cycling 