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11 gravel races you should enter in 2021
Gravel has really hit the big time over the last few years, and there are plenty of interesting events you can have fun at if you fancy getting your gravel on in 2021.
Gravel racing has become increasingly popular over the years in the UK, and it's probably time you gave it a go. Gravel courses are usually unsurfaced roads or dirt road tracks, and some even include mellow singletrack trails. It's fun and you get to experience some really nice locations. What's not to love?
Looking to take on your first gravel race or just after something new? These 10 ace all-road events are happening across the UK in 2021 and are definitely worth checking out.
As a result of the current global public health situation, a lot of events listed below will have limited spaces due to postponed 2020 entries being carried over to 2021. It's worth noting that events can be postponed or cancelled at short notice, so please check with organisers before travelling.
1. Battle On The Beach
Line up alongside cyclocross and fat bikes in this race with a difference
© Anthony Pease
Battle On The Beach is a truly unique event that unites cyclocross, gravel and mountain bike riders in a single race. There’s always a great debate about which bike will do best, with the course consisting of a 5km of beach along Pembrey Sands, 5km of wooded doubletrack and 5km of singletrack.
It’s not often you get fat bikes on the start line next to cyclocross bikes and everything in between! The full loop is raced three times, bringing the total distance up to 45km. It’s a real family weekend event with camping, evening entertainment and on-site catering, and even a second 10km time trial format night race in the dark – if you’re brave enough!
2. Dirty Reiver
Fancy dress is optional
© Andy Heading
When? April 17 2021
Returning for its fifth year, the Dirty Reiver promises a tough but rewarding day out on the bike.
This UK gravel classic consists of 200km of the finest gravel trails Kielder Forest has to offer (a 130km course and a new 65km course are also available). It also takes place in mid-April, which means you may get glorious sunshine, or… well, the 2016 edition had snow.
The Dirty Reiver is technically not a race, but that doesn’t stop some world class riders showing up and tearing round as fast as they can. So if you fancy challenging yourself against the best, then this is your event.
3. Dirty Sunday
Expect hidden trails and mucky lanes on this event run by Das Rad Klub
© Geoffrey Campbell
Dirty Sunday proved so popular with off-road enthusiasts that Bristol-based cycling club Das Rad Klub now hosts two every year. Each edition is different, taking in new hidden trails, paths, mucky lanes and iconic local roads, from the mighty Mendips to the picturesque Cotswolds.
Tap into this local route gold and challenge yourself with the 100km self-guided route between cafe checkpoints, finishing back at the city cycling hub Business As Usual for beer and pizza. Expect a lot of fun, laughs, and most of all, dirt!
4. Dorset Dirt Dash
Drink in the views of quiet villages and the Jurassic coast
© Dorset Dirt Dash
Formerly known as the Dorset Gravel Dash, there are two different options for this May weekender down South. Choose to tackle the 100-mile route around the gorgeous Isle of Purbeck either on a single day, or split it over two days with the 50/50. This challenging route marries both quintessential English villages in this sleepy county with the rugged and dramatic Jurassic Coastline that it’s so well known for.
If you choose the two-day option, you can explore the best of Dorset. Take in its culinary delights along the way, as supplied by the team, before washing it down with some local ale around the campfire on Saturday night.
5. The Racing Collective – OxDURO
Battle your way along the beaming white gravel of the Ridgeway
© The Racing Collective
OxDuro is a single-day gravel race put on by The Racing Collective and is one of its series of free, totally self-supported on and off-road endurance events in the UK. Rather than being timed from start to finish, the winners will be those that complete the five timed segments in the least time, including the feared ‘Be More Mike’ segment.
On leaving the historic centre of Oxford, the route rolls out to the ancient Ridgeway – a Strade Bianche-esque stretch of white beaming gravel that takes riders up into the hills. Whether you’re out to race the segments or just take your time and enjoy the route, OxDURO is a real treat of a day out.
6. Gritfest
Tackle the 'desert of Wales' at this enduro-style race
© Anthony Pease
Now in its third year, the incredibly popular Gritfest takes in some of the best tracks in the ‘desert of Wales’ – so called for its remoteness, and therefore incredible off-road riding. It’s an enduro-style race set over two days, with various timed stages along the route that have been devised to test the rider’s skills and pace across a number of different terrain and gradients – from sweeping forestry tracks to tight and technical mountain bike singletrack.
The first day of riding is the most challenging – the 2019 edition saw 80km with 1900m of climbing – while Sunday is a lighter day (50km with 1200m elevation gain in 2019).
It’s a real family-friendly weekend event, with camping on the farm for everyone including caravans and motorhomes, food trucks, a bar and even a local band for evening entertainment.
7. Yorkshire True Grit
Have you got it in you to tackle both days of off-road riding?
© Yorkshire True Grit
Yorkshire True Grit is supposedly ‘one of the toughest adventure rides in the UK’, taking riders across the exposed North York Moors on a mix of public bridleways and private tracks.
There are three distances to choose from, with the longer 40- and 60-mile distances taking place on Saturday, and the shorter 20-mile distance taking place on Sunday. So, if you’re really up for it, you can rack up 80 miles of adventure riding in one weekend.
The North York Moors are well known for their unpredictable weather, so best pay attention to the recommended kit list on their website. However, as it takes place around mid-June, the weather gods will hopefully bless all the riders with a weekend of glorious sunshine.
8. The Distance
Not all rides are created equal at The Distance
© The Distance
The Distance team brands its event as ‘self-supported with benefits’, so you’ll need to pack a sleeping bag and shelter if you are to complete this fun two-day challenge.
The premise is a little different to other gravel events. There are a series of checkpoints to visit throughout the day, and depending on how quickly you reach each checkpoint, this will decide how far you have to ride to the next one. So faster riders will ride further, while slower riders will do shorter routes.
But, when you do get there (wherever there is), you’ll be welcomed into camp with a hot meal, hot shower and a gin and tonic – bikepacking luxury!
9. Dukes Weekender
We can think of worse places to spend a weekend riding...
© Dukes Weekender
The Dukes Weekender is exactly that – a multi-day gravel event in Aberfoyle, not far from the bustle of Glasgow city. Riders can take on two separate events, with the Dukes Pass hill climb on Saturday followed by an enduro-style gravel ride on the Sunday.
The 70km gravel route into the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park includes six stages where riders are timed against the clock, yet participants can enjoy a more social pace in between.
After the great effort of the Dukes Pass hill climb but before the following day’s gravel enduro, the Dukes Gathering talk and film night boasts renowned riders from near and far – previous editions have featured Lael Wilcox, Martyn Ashton and Lee Craigie. If it’s inspiration you’re seeking alongside a real off-road treat, the Dukes Weekender should be high on your list.
10. King's Cup Gravel Festival
The event will see the crowning of Britain's first ever gravel champions
© King's Cup
Like your gravel riding with a competitive edge? The inaugural King's Cup could be the event for you.
Held in King's Forest in Suffolk, the three-day gravel festival will host Britain's first ever gravel championships – pitting the best of the best against each across men's, women's and time trial categories.
For those who prefer a more leisurely spin, the King's Cup also hosts a gravel fondo (essentially a gravel-based sportive) on the same course as the championships. Participants are able to choose from the long course (78km) or short course (52km), which both consist of laps of the sandy and scenic King's Forest.
11. Dunoon Dirt Dash
Scottish weather is changeable come September, so don’t expect an easy ride
© Dunoon Dirt Dash/Neil Hanna
If you’re looking for a multi-day adventure, why not try the Dunoon Dirt Dash, a two-day gravel event with an overnighter in between? With a cannon shot start on Dunoon Pier (yes, really), you’ll have a near 130km circular route to cover over the weekend. Expect singletrack, forestry roads, river crossings, hike-a-bike and some of Scotland’s finest gravel.
Entry includes a campsite on the Saturday night and evening meal, plus pre-ride party on Friday night, leaving you to focus on taking in the beautiful west coast scenery.
