In our second episode of Ridefresh, we hit the gravel tracks with Russ Jones, the founder of boutique cycling brand Hackney GT. For all the road riders out there, I did this route on 28 tyres so it’s a good gravel entry ride if you want to give it a go. It starts next to Walthamstow Marshes, goes out to Epping Forest via the Olympic Park (past the velodrome), and comes back along the William Girling Reservoir. We stop at the tea hut in Epping Forest, and at the Anchor & Hope Pub, next to the River Lea. We talk about cycling, kit, mod culture, the history of the route, and Russ’s career as an international DJ, producer, and promoter on the world music scene. As you may have guessed from the title, he discovered a song you would definitely know! It’s the second episode in the series, starting in East London this time, exploring Essex and gravel riding from London.

I meet Mike, one of the founders of Brixton Brewery, at Herne Hill Velodrome for a ride out to Kent. We hit some of the better-known, and some of the lesser-known hills in the area, discussing how their brand started - with a conversation over beers, under the arches in Brixton - and of course, cycling. There’s some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, tips on where to stop for coffee in the area, details of their distinctive kit and news of some exciting cycling-based projects linked to the brewery in the coming months - and recommendations on where to go for a beer at the end of our ride (more available on request). As you might expect from the title, there’s plenty on beers and bikes here, so if you like those two things, hit play! Details of the route and pictures will be posted on our Instagram, so if you want to give it a go, look us up on Insta and Facebook and give us a follow. So check us out for all you need to know about the cycling scene: fresh rides, fresh routes, fresh coffee stops, and fresh kit for those who don’t want to look the same as everyone else on the road. Because you can’t always ride fast, but you can always Ridefresh.