THE Garlic Farm hosted 24 cyclists for three days of fantastic cycling and great food as part of the ‘Gravel n Garlic’ event.

Arriving at Ryde Pier Head, attendees of the Wight Prestige were welcomed by event organiser Tim Wiggins and the Garlic Farm’s Barnes Edwards.

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Shown the way by local cycling experts, the attendees were led in groups back to the Garlic Farm, taking several quiet lanes and bridleways to give them a preview of the gravel riding to come.

Luggage was transported by Island-based People Powered CIC electric cargo bikes, making for a completely car-free event, something the Isle of Wight is increasingly known for thanks to the ‘Drive Less See More’ campaign.

Welcome drinks from Yates Brewery, which borders the Garlic Farm, awaited the arrivals before they settled into their accommodation for the weekend — luxury yurts, complete with wood burning stoves, kitchens, and en suite bathrooms.

A special menu was laid on by the team at the Garlic Farm Restaurant, with beef burgers from the resident highland herd alongside vegetarian and vegan choices.

Over the next two days, the riders split into two groups and were shown the way by local cycling experts, riding on bridleways, byways, and tarmac roads.

They covered distances of between 70km and 100km on Saturday, with a more relaxed ride of either 30km or 50km on Sunday.

Barnes Edwards, director of the Garlic Farm, said: “Gravel cycling on the Island is fantastic, in large part because there are 827kms of public rights of way here.

“Our guests were overjoyed by this access to nature, the beautiful views and varied terrain.

"They were also delighted to experience the whole weekend without getting in a car.”

Sally Goble, 2021 Wight Prestige rider, said: “The weekend has been absolutely amazing, fantastic, I’ve enjoyed everything.

“The hospitality has been spot on, the food was spot on – catering for vegans and fussy people like me.

“When the sun came out and we had those wonderful views of the sea, that was a highlight. I would definitely come again.”

The Wight Prestige will be back in 2022, with plans for several events throughout the year, as part of a wider push to showcase the Island as a ‘Drive Less See More’ car-free holiday destination.