wild about gravel

Pippa Tanner and husband, Nick, own the excellent BSpoke Cycles in Peebles. Offering bike sales, hires and servicing – along with expert knowledge on all things cycling across the valley – she shares a local gravel route ideal for springtime.

Name: Pippa Tanner

Day job: Owner, Bspoke Cycles

How long lived in the Tweed Valley? 8 years

Specialist subject? Jack of all trades, master of none – just love riding bikes!

Favourite local gravel trail for springtime? The Tweed Valley is packed with so many amazing trails for gravel, but one that has become a favourite is out to Lyne Station on the Tweed Valley Railway Path and over to Stobo Castle. Up the valley behind Stobo, the route joins the John Buchan Way back to Stobo Kirk and of course back to Peebles via the Neidpath Viaduct and Neidpath Tunnel. 

What makes it so special? It’s not too hilly and has some great gravel as you ride up into the valley. Being surrounded by the hills is stunning! Once out it feels wild. It’s also a great all-year route.

Who would you most love to spend a day on bikes with and why? Oh boy! There are too many, but Jenny Rissveds would probably be my top choice. She is a beast on a bike and just the nicest and most inspiring person on the MTB XC circuit.

Dream riding destination if ever enticed away from the Tweed Valley? I’m regularly tempted away from the valley as I love riding in new places, so have been lucky to see some wonderful parts of Scotland. But, my next adventure will hopefully take me to Slovenia where the gravel is supposed to be out of this world.

Further info

  • Muck n’ Mac Fest is back! The unique gravel riding festival, based at Traquair House, features two days of riding on some of Scotland’s most epic trails and roads. Both days start and finish at a lively festival village, with other activities and family-friendly entertainment, from live music to yoga classes, introductory bike sessions and more over the weekend.

  • Brand new for 2025, the Selkirk Gravel Classic promises a day of exhilarating gravel riding that will see cyclists venture through some of the most breathtaking trails in the Scottish Borders – from the Tweed Valley and into the neighbouring Yarrow and Ettrick valleys. The event has three different courses to choose from (30km, 50km and 60km) so no excuses!

 

Picture credit: Amanda McGibbon, Argyll and Bute.