The cycling calendar often revolves around grand plans: the sunny escapades to Mallorca, the epic mountain passes of the Alps or that multi-day tour that required weeks of dedicated planning. But what about the adventure waiting right outside your door? As the crisp air of winter descends and the trails turn muddy, many road warriors—like us here at VeloFlamingo, swapping the slick tarmac for the crunch of loose rock—find themselves craving the rugged charm of gravel. For groups like ours, based in Dublin, the solution isn't a long-haul flight; it's the near-cation: an epic, full-day cycling adventure close to home, followed by an equally satisfying social recovery.
The 'near-cation' is a mindset. It’s the realisation that peak adventure doesn't require a passport or a week off work; it just requires a little planning savvy, the right gear and the commitment of your favourite riding crew. It delivers the immense satisfaction of a proper escape without the hassle of travel logistics, maximising your fun and minimising your stress. This is how we turn a simple Saturday into a truly unforgettable local group grind.
Phase 1: Planning for Maximum Adventure, Minimum Fuss
The success of a great near-cation hinges on smart planning that respects the concept of staying close. The primary goal is to maximise time on the bike and minimise time in the car. For us, that means looking to our local gem, the stunning Glenmalure in County Wicklow. While we know its trails well, every group ride requires structure, especially when tackling gravel.
The planning starts not with the route, but with the group dynamic. Before you even open a mapping app, confirm your crew. A larger group needs more logistical consideration, but the more the merrier on the trails. Establish a group pace and agree on a "no drop" policy; gravel is challenging enough without riders feeling abandoned. Once the crew is set, you can dive into the route. Since you're staying local, choose a route with plenty of variety—steep climbs, flowing descents and perhaps a scenic landmark. Crucially, decide on a single meet-up spot with easy access and ample parking. For us, that might be a specific car park just shy of the Wicklow trails, allowing the adventure to begin the moment we roll off the car racks.
The beauty of the near-cation is the simplicity of the logistics. You don't need hotels, flight bookings or currency exchange. You simply need to coordinate the day's itinerary: a strict-ish departure time, a rough distance goal (40-50km is usually a great few hours out on the gravel), and, most importantly, the mid-ride anchor. Unlike multi-day trips where you rely on established towns, your local gravel near-cation will possibly require you to be self-sufficient. Plan for a designated picnic spot with a view, ensuring everyone packs enough food to refuel properly, or identify that one rustic local pub or small café that you know is tucked away near the half-way mark. This simplicity is the luxury of local riding.
Phase 2: Embracing the Local Grind
When the day finally arrives, the absence of travel-induced stress is palpable. You woke up in your own bed, drove less than an hour and are already clipping into your pedals. This ease allows you to dive into the adventure with fresh legs and a clear head. Gravel riding, particularly in places like Glenmalure, offers a visceral connection to the landscape that tarmac cannot match. The trails demand full attention, forcing you into the present moment, which is the very definition of a true escape.
The near-cation is all about the experience of the environment. In the autumn and winter, gravel trails become textured with challenges—muddy ruts, loose rocks, and damp roots. These elements require teamwork and communication. You rely on your friends to point out hazards, call out a pothole hidden beneath fallen leaves or simply offer a cheer of encouragement as you grind up a steep, loose fire road. This shared challenge forges bonds far tighter than those formed on smooth asphalt. The conversations flow easily on the flats, then fall into a focused, rhythmic silence on the climbs, punctuated only by heavy breathing and the satisfying crunch of tyres on stone.
And when you finally reach that designated high point, the view—whether it's the sweeping vista over the Wicklow mountains or the quiet beauty of a forest lake—feels intensely earned. The mid-ride break is pure bliss. It’s not just a physical rest; it’s a ceremonial pause where you shed layers, share packed snacks, re-tell the epic moments of the last hour and truly feel like a cohesive, successful crew! This is where the local adventure achieves the same emotional resonance as any exotic destination.
Phase 3: The Seamless Social Recovery
The secret ingredient that elevates the near-cation from just a great ride to an epic day out is the seamless transition to the social recovery phase. There is a deep, primal satisfaction in returning to the familiar comfort of your home base knowing you have conquered a demanding local challenge.
For us, the ritual upon returning to Dublin is straightforward and essential: we load the bikes back into the cars and vans, head home for a quick, blissful shower to wash off the Wicklow mud and change into warm, comfortable clothing. There is no rushed packing for a flight or finding a hotel—just the easy comfort of home.
But the day is not complete. The true closing ceremony involves meeting the same cycling friends a few hours later, often at a favourite local spot, for dinner and a few celebratory beers. This is where the stories of the day solidify into shared memories. The km markers blur, the suffering turns to laughter, and the details of the ride are enthusiastically rehashed. It’s an essential part of the adventure loop: physical exertion followed by shared reflection and nourishment. The dinner table becomes the final stage where the camaraderie established on the trail is celebrated and deepened. This seamless blend of demanding physical adventure and warm, relaxed social reward is the ultimate payoff of the near-cation model.
If your cycling routine is starting to feel stale, or if the logistics of big trips are overwhelming, look no further than your own backyard. Rally your crew, embrace the local trails and plan a near-cation gravel grind.
See you on the gravel soon friends…..X
