Winter Gravel Calendar
Winter Gravel Calendar: gravel events for the UK winter.
As the days get shorter here in the UK many riders will head for the pain-cave to await the return of the sun. However, there are alternatives. While you could stay in the warm and dry, riding on virtual roads why not head out into the real world? If only there was a Winter Gravel Calendar you could look at…
While riding time is shorter and conditions under-wheel unpredictable, there’s plenty of fun still to be had. Some riders will opt for a short hour of mud-based pain at their local cyclo-cross league. You’ll spend more time pre-race prepping and post-race cleaning than racing, but boy is it fun! Which is just as well, because if the weather is foul, then an hour is enough to be outdoors.
Winter doesn’t have to be horrid!
However not everyone wants to spend an hour hammering themselves. Others would prefer a longer ride, swishing through glorious autumnal landscapes or chilly, but bright winter days. While we all moan that the UK is damp and miserable – admittedly we do get some pretty unpleasant weather – we also get glorious days when the sun shines. On those days the air is crisp and you’re breath comes out in white puffs like a vaper in a shop doorway. You feel so glad to be outdoors, especially if it comes after a period of grey drizzle.
So to tempt you away from the turbo or the duvet, we’ve put together a list of upcoming gravel events to tackle this winter. This is by no means a complete list of every event that is out there, more are coming all the time. You can also find many smaller events that are put on by local shops or clubs. It’s well worth while joining a club to find out what’s going on in your area. If you hear of anymore let us know and we’ll add it to our winter gravel calendar.
Winter Gravel Calendar
November 9th
Trailbreak Ride to Remember. Head out over the Marlborough Downs on a ride to commemorate Armistice Day and help raise funds for the Royal British Legion. Last year’s ride raised over £6000. This ride starts from the Ramsbury Brewery in Wiltshire, with three routes of 54, 41 and 31 kilometres.
November 17th
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Gàidhealtachd. This gravel ride starts and finishes at the Alpkit Inverness store. a 3.5 hr route of forest tracks and smooth single tracks with stunning highland views. Drinks, soup and cakes after in the store.
December 1st
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Bristol. Enjoy a “blast round the byways and broken lanes of north Bristol and South Gloucestershire.” Alpkit say to bring “snacks, plenty of water, and your biggest grin, it’s gonna get muddy.” Make it back to the store and there will awards and beer!
December 8th
Trailbreak Dirty Santa, a chance to burn some calories before the festive season kicks off. Two routes on this one, 45 and 34 kilometres around the Surrey Hills. However the organisers reckon that while it is rideable on a gravel bike, there will be a couple of technical sections that might have you wishing for your Mtb. Then again, it’s Christmas! There’ll be tea and mice pies at the feed stations and a special Dirty Santa beer at the finish!
December 15th
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Tyne Twine Metrocentre. Alpkit’s self-supported winter series encourages riders to get out and get muddy. And then traipse it all back to their store for soup and giggles! While they’re no-frill events that won’t make the riding any less enjoyable.
January 5th
Sonder Winter gravel Series City (E)scape Kingston. The guys from the Kingston store will show you some of their hidden gravel trails around the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Worth visiting to see what the post-ride snacks will be!
January 11th
Trailbreak Shackleford Turkey Burner, time to shed those festive pounds, head out into the Surrey Heathland. The sandy soil around here should mean it remains rideable and not claggy. Three routes to choose from 48, 43 and 29 kilometres. Which to choose? “While there are definitely a few sections where the going gets rough enough to put gravel bikes on the limit, much of the route and the generally not too hilly profile will suit gravel bikes perfectly well, and offer a lot to enjoy.“
January 19th
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Soul Soother Hathersage. Head out on the trails with some local gravel heroes and enjoy the post-ride vibes. All proceeds from these Alpkit rides will go to the Alpkit Foundation. Some of the stores will have Sonder demo bikes you can take out on the ride; contact them to enquire.
February 2nd
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Saltoun Sauce Edinburgh. The Edinburgh store are still working on the route, but they it’ll take 2-4 hours. They also say “be prepared for hills, slippy singletrack, and soggy shoes!” They also say the “route will be mainly hardpack gravel paths, and some potentially sloppy singletrack… Expect mud, expect wind, pray for sunshine!”
February 9th
Trailbreak Wildwood Gravel. This was Trailbreak’s first gravel sportive from way back in 2010. Here’s what they say about which bike to bring: “This ride is a showcase for the versatility of modern gravel bikes! The beauty of these machines is there ability to swap between surfaces and feel at home on them all, and this route is designed to do that throughout, delivering a high paced ride with the variety to keep you buzzing all day!” There are three routes available 79, 59 and 43 kilometres.
February 16th
Sonder Winter Gravel Series February Flyer Ambleside. Head out on the trails with some local gravel heroes and enjoy the post-ride vibes. All proceeds from these Alpkit rides will go to the Alpkit Foundation. Some of the stores will have Sonder demo bikes you can take out on the ride; contact them to enquire.
March 2nd
Trailbreak Surrey Hills March Hare. Back to the Surrey Hills, a bit of a MTB heaven for southern riders. The sandy soils drains well and it’s known for it’s huge variety of riding. There’s plenty of twisting single-track, exhilarating descents and sweeping views from the high hilltop trails. According to Trailbreak this is a ride “to test your limits on your gravel bike. The short(ish) distance for gravel is offset by a higher intensity of riding, physically and technically. Great for riders who like to blur the lines between gravel and MTB.“
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Eryri Gravel Betws-Y-Coed. The guys from Betws-Y-Coed say you should bring your “A-game and get ready to conquer the gravel trails with like-minded riders!” If the weather behaves you could be in for a real treat riding in the beautiful Eryri countryside.
March 8th
Glorious Gravel Cannock Chase Gravel X. Glorious Gravel say that this “early season ride is suitable for riders of all abilities and is a lovely route with a mix of flat, fast sections, some exciting bits and a few climbs to wake up the legs ready for the bigger rides ahead in the season.” Choose from a 74 or 44 kilometre route through Cannock Chase.
March 16th
Sonder Winter Gravel Series Miners Grit Newthorpe. Head out on the trails around Alpkit’s HQ with some local gravel heroes and enjoy the post-ride vibes. All proceeds from the Alpkit rides will go to the Alpkit Foundation. Some of the stores will have Sonder demo bikes you can take out on the ride; contact them to enquire.
March 22nd
Trailbreak Ridgeway Raid. This is a shorter version of Trailbreak’s 100k summer version and is “very gravel friendly ride.” With 95% of the route off-road it will make for a welcome break from the black stuff. The three routes are 50, 41 and 31 kilometres, completing any of which will get you a cuppa and a bowl of chilli, perfect!
So there you go, while it’s not the definitive winter gravel calendar, it’s a start. There’s bound to be more events that I’ve missed
