Cycling Collection by komoot
Premium gravel grinding through Nottinghamshire – Pens & Pits
8 routes
38:49
506km
3,830m
The birds sing and the leaves crackle under your tires. The horizon is littered with headstocks that now lay dormant, monuments to a history of manual labor that died out decades ago. These former pit villages and colliery towns are linked by bridleways, long since forgotten by most of the county but prime terrain for gravel riding. Waterways and railways, once crucial for transporting coal, are thrown into the mix and have now been claimed and repurposed for cyclists and hikers. For those that want to criss-cross the county from Mansfield to Nottingham and everywhere in between, expect surprises around each corner. You’ll come across stretches of pristine white roads, secret swimming spots, sweeping mellow singletrack and tucked-away corners that allowed Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men to hide out.
Calling this a collection of gravel rides along mineral lines would not be too far removed from the essence of these wide-ranging gravel bike tours. At its most basic, these are a collection of B roads and gravel roads (from now on known as ‘Groads’) that carve a virtually traffic-free route across the whole county. Spanning the entire landscape of Notts, the tales of Robin Hood, DH Lawrence and Lord Byron can be retold as you cruise across the county.
From grand estates for the nobility, which have retained pristine gravel throughout their grounds, right through to the desolate pit tips, Notts delivers prime terrain for leisure, lending itself to supreme gravel grinding and mountain biking. The most family-friendly gravel ride heads out from the postcard-perfect town of Southwell and cruises along the Southwell Trail to Sherwood Pines, taking in the most rural side of the county.
If you are looking for more of a challenge, you can break out of the county lines into Derbyshire from Langley Mill train station, where relics from the textile industry stand in stark contrast to the unspoilt nature. The Notts Circular is a stellar option to discover the area surrounding the UNESCO City of Literature from a 360 degree perspective. So while great novels have been penned in this county, now it's time for you to write your own epic on two wheels.
Visibility:
Anyone
Activities
35.9km
02:45
220m
220m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
55.4km
04:24
560m
560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
66.8km
05:38
1,010m
1,010m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
48.0km
03:44
370m
370m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
102km
08:22
740m
740m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
116km
08:19
530m
530m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
51.5km
03:22
150m
150m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Collection Stats
Activities
8
Distance
506 km
Duration
38:49 h
Elevation
3,830 m
Create your own Collection
Learn more
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free