11 gravel races you should enter 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


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


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
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


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


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.


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