Relating to gravel occasions, the UK has rather a lot to supply, however there may be much more selection in case you look a bit additional east and west.
Here’s a record of occasions I extremely advocate making your selection simpler. I’m organising a few of these occasions myself or know the organisers. Others, like Mom North and QBC 500, have been a part of my travels in 2024.
And whereas this record doesn’t declare to be the ‘final record’, I can vouch that every one occasions included will offer you an ideal expertise. To information your selection, I’ve summed them up in a single phrase – make your decide and join 2025.
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Dexshell Cateran Grime Sprint: 3 & 4 Could (Scotland)
Named one of many journey highlights within the Guardian’s 2024 picks, the Cateran Path is likely one of the greatest long-distance routes in Scotland. The Dexshell Cateran Grime Sprint, now in its third 12 months, takes you on the most effective sections of the route by the beautiful environment of the Cateran Ecomuseum within the Cairngorms Nationwide Park. The occasion has additionally attracted an equal share of ladies and men lately.
The idea of the Grime Dashes is identical for every occasion: Arrive in a pleasant begin location, cycle a scenic two-day gravel route which takes you previous some fairly good vistas, benefit from the social facet of bikepacking on the campsite, the place good meals is served for dinner and breakfast, and make mates for future adventures. And in case you don’t have an acceptable bike, you’ll be able to rent adventure-ready bikes and baggage domestically from Alyth Cyclery and keep at Forillon, the house of Bikepacking Scotland.
In a single phrase: Spectacular
Value: from £90
Join at dirtdash.cc/cateran
There are two extra Grime Dashes in 2025 – the Yorkshire Coast Grime Sprint on 5 & 6 July in Whitby and the Dunoon Grime Sprint on 27/28 September in Dunoon – costs begin from £80 at dirtdash.cc.
Wild Wales Gravel Competition: 16 – 18 Could (Wales)
Now in its fourth 12 months, the Wild Wales Gravel Competition is a weekend of gravel using, tenting, dwell music, fireplace chats, nice meals and firm. All of this when you absorb the wonderful mountains of Wales. For biking, you will see 30, 45, 75 and 100 km route choices, all self-guided with the GPX recordsdata supplied.
There’s a Sunday social group ride-out, and you may camp for 3 nights in a valley just under Afan forest, full with its very personal waterfall, wood-fired saunas and plunge pool. Two breakfasts and a dinner are included, with music on the Saturday night and in case you don’t have an acceptable bike, you’ll be able to rent one! On Saturday morning you’ll be able to be a part of the solo’s rendezvous breakfast, meet journey companions and be a part of teams. And there are discounted tickets for low-income earners accessible.
In a single phrase: Healthful
Value: £165
Join at wildcycles.co.uk/wild-wales-gravel-campout
NEW The Gralloch Sportive: 18 Could (Scotland)
The Gralloch has made itself a reputation within the final two years as among the finest occasions of the UCI Gravel World Sequence. This 12 months Purple On Sports activities added a enjoyable choice to the occasion, the Gralloch Sportive. Happening the day after the UCI Gravel World Sequence race, this enjoyable and non-competitive journey invitations cyclists of all ranges to discover the beautiful landscapes of Galloway, quickly to change into Scotland’s subsequent nationwide park, at their very own tempo.
It is a good selection in case you get pleasure from a completely marked route and would nonetheless like to check your time, however with out being ranked and rushed. And there’s a nice occasion programme that includes shakeout rides, dwell music, meals, drink, tenting and a vibrant occasion village offering the bottom to satisfy different riders and occasion supporters.
In a single phrase: Vibrant
Value: From £59.50
Join at sportive.grallochgravel.com
NEW Selkirk Gravel Basic: 31 Could (Scotland)
The race is new, the organisers not – that is an occasion from the seasoned occasion professionals at Durty Occasions. With three distinct programs to select from, the Selkirk Gravel Basic affords one thing for extra seasoned gravel grinders and newcomers who actually need to check their legs. The occasion actually is a problem; the climbing concerned shouldn’t be precisely for learners – 900m on 35 km for the shortest, 52 km with 1,500m of climbing for the medium course and a whopping 1,950m on 65 km for the lengthy course will give your legs no outing!
In a single phrase: Steep!
Value: From £30
Join at durtyevents.com/our-events/selkirk-gravel-classic/
Grit of Dunoon: 5 July (Scotland)
Dunoon isn’t any stranger to gravel occasions, internet hosting the Dunoon Grime Sprint, Scotland’s longest working gravel occasion, since 2019. If you wish to race although, then the second version of Grit of Dunoon options three thrilling journey choices – problem, discover and uncover. You won’t know something about Dunoon, however from private expertise the small coastal city close to Glasgow has rather a lot to supply – good gravel tracks, seashores, hills and dense forest, all packed into sooner or later of using!
In a single phrase: Beautiful
Value: TBA
Join at outsiderevents.com/grit-of-dunoon
Outsider Occasions additionally organise the superb Muc N Mac Fest on 2 – 4 Could. Extra at mucknmacfest.co.uk.
Gravel Rocks: 11 – 13 July (England)
Yorkshire is quick creating right into a gravel hotspot with three new occasions popping up within the final 12 months – the Yorkshire Coast Grime Sprint, Dalby Grit and Gravel Rocks. It is a two-day, enduro-style gravel race, with a pleasant competition ambiance. Situated within the North York Moors Nationwide Park you get to journey trails usually closed to the general public. Gravel Rocks has seven levels, two of them at nighttime on Friday evening. The twist – the levels stay a thriller till you uncover them on the route. And whereas the bikepacking occasions listed on this weblog are very chilled out, this occasion guarantees rock’n’roll.
In a single phrase: Loud
Value: From £75
Join at gravelrocks.cc
You may also be concerned about Dalby Grit – a brand new 110km gravel occasion from the identical organisers at Dalby Forest on 28 June. Discover out extra at www.dalbygrit.cc
NEW The BÀ Sportive & Duathlon: 6 September (Scotland)
Scottish endurance bicycle owner Jenny Graham enters the occasion recreation with The Bà Occasion Sequence in 2025, providing two challenges set on Scotland’s beautiful Northwest Coast. Designed for seasoned athletes and adventurous souls, you’ll be able to select between two occasions: The Bà Sportive (previously The Bealach Mòr), a sportive on a 144 km street route that includes the legendary Bealach Na Bà, one of many UK’s hardest climbs, which is closed to visitors for the occasion.
Or in case you like working and biking, you may make historical past by turning into the primary individual to win the Bà Duathlon, which mixes a 29 km mountainous path run with the second half of the Bà Sportive journey.
In a single phrase: Gritty
Value: From £55
Join at www.theba.internet
Worldwide
Mom North: 2 – 9 August (Norway)
Norway has nice ferry, prepare and flight connections to nearly in every single place in Europe – and beginning in Lillehammer you’ll solely have a brief prepare journey to Oslo airport. You’ll be able to race head down, however I might encourage you to take it simple. Mom North will present you a number of the most breathtaking Norwegian landscapes, traversing distant trails, historical forests, and pristine fjords. With 1,000 kilometres and 16,000 m of elevation acquire on combined terrain, this occasion is a check of bodily endurance and a celebration of pure wonders, all whereas fostering a deep reference to the enchanting landscapes of Norway.
In a single phrase: Deep
Value: From £230
Join at mother-north.com
Off:Roader Norway: 19 – 24 Aug (Norway)
If you wish to discover Norway, this journey from the snow-capped mountains of Jotunheimen and Utladalen to the breathtaking Fjords is simply the ticket. Linking the historic routes of Mjølkevegen (the Milk Street), Kongevegen (the King’s Street) and the Rallarvegen (the Navvies Street), that is a number of the smoothest and most spectacular gravel in Europe.
Included within the bundle are 5 nights in small lodges and mountain lodges, airport switch from Oslo Gardermoen and to Bergen, 4 absolutely supported rides with guides main small teams, van help & common feed stops, meals and baggage transfers.
In a single phrase: Breathtaking
Value: From £2599
Join at gloriousgravel.com/offroader-norway
GBC 500: June (Quebec, Canada)
Quebec is superior for gravel using, and the Gravel Bikepacking Problem (GBC) 500 is a superb occasion to mix with an extended vacation. June is the most effective month to journey, as you aren’t in peak season, and the temperatures are extra reasonable than in July and August, it will get scorching there! Primarily based in Magog, not too removed from Montreal and Quebec Metropolis, the GBC 500 affords a 250 km and 500 km choice. Be warned – the gravel roads listed below are distinctive!
In a single phrase: Adventurous
Dates and costs nonetheless to be introduced at gbc500.com/en
And in case you can’t make any of these occasions, you’ll discover loads of gravel inspiration in one of many gravel guidebooks from Vertebrate Publishing: Nice British Gravel Rides, Gravel Rides Scotland, Gravel Rides South West England, Gravel Rides Lake District, Gravel Rides Peak District, and shortly to come back from me – Gravel Rides Cairngorms and Perthshire.
