Exploring the mysterious no-man's lands we often ignore - Gravel routes that take us into untapped edgelands
The green spaces that sit in and around our cities offer opportunities for off-road escapes that most people don't know about
Midday had arrived as I rode, the sun painting the fields before me in a golden-green glow. My tires met a soft crunch of gravel while birdsong filled the air, making it seem impossible that I'd left inner-city London that morning. To my left, thatched cottages stood out against the cloudless sky, grey-brown smudges in the vast open space.
We had reached the midpoint of North London Dirt (NLD), a 70-mile out-and-back charity ride from Stoke Newington, connecting the city's hidden off-road routes with the Hertfordshire countryside beyond. A longer 100-mile option was available for those seeking a greater challenge. Brothers Andrew and Phil Diprose started NLD in 2017, initially as a fundraiser for their local church and community center, but it quickly evolved into a stylish and exciting event.
With Andrew's design skills and Phil's knack for uncovering rogue off-road segments, NLD provided a platform for riders to discover hidden gravel routes around the city and share a post-ride meal. As I joined the ride, spring's blossoming trees in the city reminded me of the open fields from my youth; now, I found myself eager to uncover the network of connecting paths, parks, and riverside singletrack that lay undiscovered in the nearby countryside.
Written by urgent.news from Cycling Weekly's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
