British Gravel Championships

British Gravel Championships combine with Raiders Gravel event.

A last minute change of venue sees the British Gravel Championships move to the sweet gravel roads around Gatehouse of Fleet. This turns the Championships into a weekend of gravel fun, as it will take place alongside the Raiders Gravel event; more on that below.

You’ll have to get your entries in quick though, as race day is Saturday 31 August. You’ll be racing over a 87km course that takes in some truly beautiful countryside; not that you’ll have time to look at it! The racing will be full on with riders competing in age-groups for those coveted champion’s jerseys.

If you do take part then be prepared for some tough riding, the gravel up there isn’t your well-groomed Strade Bianche gravel. Instead you’ll be riding over some serious tyre-destroying gravel in places; get practicing your puncture repairs! Local riders claim the secret is to ride tyres with inner-tubes at high pressure.

British Gravel Championships – kit choice

I’ve ridden the Gralloch – which covers some of the same trails – twice and tyre choice can make a big difference. You can either go big, 45mm and above, enjoy a bit more comfort and hopefully avoid those pinch-punctures. Alternatively go 40mm or thinner and ride faster, but put up with the rougher ride that comes with higher pressures. I’ve used Vittoria’s Mezcals and Terreno T50 on these trails. The Terrenos were faster, but I did cut them when I hit a concrete slab head on at speed. If you’re running tubeless, I’d definitely recommend a tyre insert like those from Vittoria or Effetto Mariposa.

When it comes to what bike to ride, well it goes without saying that you’re going to want something fast. At 87 kilometres the distance isn’t so long that you’ll need to worry about carrying supplies. The climbs on the Gralloch aren’t crazy steep, more long grinds than muurs. Saying that the start up Fuffock Hill will certainly have you in the red zone! For me a bike like my Handsling CEXevo is perfect for this event. I’m running Shimano Di2 105, with a 2x 52-36, 11-36 drivetrain and haven’t had any issues with gearing.

With the British Gravel Championships now taking place in the South West of Scotland, it does mean a bit of travelling; certainly for us South-Coasters. So if you are going, make it a long weekend. The area is well set up for cycling, with quiet roads and friendly locals. Gate House of Fleet, which is race-central is now well used to hordes of cyclists descending on them and offer a warm welcome. There’s plenty of options when it comes to food and accommodation for every budget.

Raiders Gravel

It’s not just about racing though, as the British Gravel Championships will run at the same time as Raiders Gravel. This is a three day race/sportive that has been running for a couple of years. As well as the riding and racing there is an “expo, panel talks, social rides, street food, music, party and more“!

Raiders Gravel starts on the Thursday with a social night-ride out to the Solway Coast, where you can watch the sun set around a beachside campfire; Spirit of Gravel anyone? Friday’s first stage is the 84 kilometre Clatteringshaws, with 1226 metres of climbing. Stage two on Saturday is the Grannoch, a 100 kilometre route that follows the British Gravel Championships route, but with extra kilometres added! After Saturday’s longest stage, the Skerrow on Sunday is the shortest at 65 kilometres.

All of the Raiders’ stages can be ridden as a race or as a personal challenge, you choose. Each stage also has a short cut, so if you’re not feeling it you can cut the course and save your strength for another day. Here are the links for the British Gravel Championships and Raiders Gravel.