In his video “This is Why Everyone’s Doing Gravel | Dirty Peloton New Forest”, Grant Ritchie joins a large group gravel ride in the New Forest, organised in collaboration with Reilly and POC. The event brings together around 50–60 riders of mixed experience, from complete gravel newcomers to seasoned veterans.
The ride follows a scenic 50 km loop through the New Forest and provides an opportunity for Grant to speak with riders about why gravel cycling continues to grow in popularity.
Safety, Visibility, and Community
Grant speaks with Ash, who has played a key role in organising the “Safety Numbers” rides. The initiative focuses on combining riding with safety and community support, encouraging people to ride together in a welcoming environment.
Riders wear distinctive high-visibility orange POC helmets, making it easy to identify people who can offer help during the ride. The emphasis is on approachability, visibility, and shared responsibility rather than competition.
First-Time Gravel Riders
Grant chats with Alice, who is riding gravel for the first time after previously taking part in a Dirty Peloton road ride. Alice is test riding a Reilly gravel bike and admits she expected the experience to be much rougher than it actually is.
Her first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. She describes the ride as smooth and comfortable, comparing the feeling to “cycling on a marshmallow”. Coming from a road cycling background, riding over stones initially feels rebellious, but she is surprised by how confidence-inspiring the bike feels.
Alice also highlights how gravel riding feels more social than road riding, with more opportunities to chat and move around within the group.
Why Road Cyclists Are Drawn to Gravel
Another rider, also named Grant, explains that although he is primarily a road cyclist, gravel riding appeals to him because it allows him to switch off from power data, speed, and performance metrics.
Gravel offers time in nature, exploration, and big days out without the pressure of traffic or competition. It is described as the “trail running of the cycling world”, particularly appealing during winter for base miles and shelter from the wind.
Gravel Bikes vs Mountain Bikes
One rider explains that while mountain biking offers similar enjoyment, gravel bikes allow riders to travel further and faster over mixed terrain. For riders who spend most of their time on road bikes, the gravel riding position feels more familiar and comfortable for long days.
Reilly’s Role in Supporting Riders
Grant speaks with Reilly ambassador Petra Wiltshire about Reilly’s involvement in the Dirty Peloton event and the long-standing relationship with POC. Their shared goal is to help riders feel safe and supported, especially those new to gravel cycling.
Petra recalls helping riders fix punctures and teaching basic mechanical skills to people who had never repaired a tyre before. These moments of support help riders finish events and build confidence to continue gravel riding in the future.
Final Reflections
Grant concludes by reflecting on how much he enjoys events like this, particularly meeting people who are experiencing gravel riding for the first time. Although he describes himself as naturally introverted, he values the opportunity to share in that sense of discovery.
He praises the organisers for creating an event that feels big enough to be exciting, yet small enough to remain personal and social. The video reinforces why gravel cycling continues to grow: it is inclusive, relaxed, social, and focused on enjoyment rather than performance.
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