With the curtain on summer well drawn to a close, autumn steps onto the stage calling to those who live for the thrill of the ride. For months, the longing for the feel of leaves crunch beneath tires has grown; now, it’s time to answer that call. Gravel riding in the fall is a journey, a trek through a forest painted with strokes of fiery reds, warm oranges, and golden yellows. The paths before us are not just routes but living galleries, coated with leaves that snap and crackle under our wheels, enticing our adventurous side. It’s riding at its purest!
The charm of gravel riding goes far beyond the visual; it whispers to something primal within us, a desire to break free and chart our own paths. It’s about seeking out those quiet, untouched havens where the only sounds are our breath and the earth beneath us—places still pure, untroubled by the hum and hustle of mechanized life.
What makes gravel riding so trendy? It’s versatile, it’s not as intimidating as road or mountain riding. And it’s fun. It’s less about speed or technique and more about discovery and adventure. Oh and then there is the cool, almost retro look and feel of a gravel bike. Gravel bikes are pure in design, built for comfort and durability, not for aerodynamics or cutting-edge performance.
Gravel riding is a tradition that embraces everyone—whether you’ve worn the tracks into your tires or are just beginning to taste the thrill of the trail. We are all bonded, a community on the less traveled roads, united by our shared respect for the ride and the collective joy discovered among the ever-shifting tapestry of autumn leaves and the boundless trails.
The New York Times recently recommended several picturesque locations for those eager to indulge in the seasonal spectacle on their gravel bikes:
- Fort Collins, Colorado: An accessible gravel biking haven just 66 miles north of Denver, perfect for riders seeking the beauty of the Rockies without the extreme terrain.
- Northwest Arkansas: Northwest Arkansas, particularly Bentonville, where the annual Big Sugar gravel race — Oct. 21 this year — begins and ends, has become known for its stellar mountain-biking trails. Now, gravel riders are appreciating the region, too. Add in the White Rock Mountain Recreation Area and you have a cyclist’s paradise.
- Vermont: This state showcases fall like no other. Gravel cycling is a natural fit with Vermont, with its countless unpaved roads and pastoral scenery — red silos, covered bridges, cows — and hardwood trees that put on one of the finest fall displays one can witness. Many have said Vermont has more dirt roads than paved ones. Time to discover if this is true!
- Steamboat Springs and Trinidad, Colorado: These locations are highlighted as prime spots for gravel biking enthusiasts looking to experience Colorado’s picturesque autumn landscapes and wildlife. The plethora of dirt roads combine with the rolling hills makes this region of Colorado unique and ideal for all levels of riding styles.
Discover more about these autumn gravel biking trails and others recommended by The New York Times here: Read the full article.
Other notable locations from our cycling community include: Sedona Arizona, Portland Oregon and Greenville, South Carolina.
Amongst this autumnal splendor and the exhilarating nip of fall’s breath, we ride together in the quest for freedom, the embrace of community, and the sheer delight of losing ourselves in the simple, raw pleasure of gravel grinding.
Discover our sustainable sourced and built gravel bike, Agora, designed for all gravel adventures
