Glorious gravel

[jimmy156]

Anyone done any of their gravel events? I’m signed up to the Surrey hills one later in the year and was wondering if there is an element of a race to the event? Are you timed on the course?

Not fussed either way, but a bit of competition would be fun (for me to watch from the back

[stargazer30]

I did leyburn last year. It was a tough day but fun. Myself and most the other riders had to push the bikes up some of the steeper off road sections and some of the off road descents were border line mtb territory.

If the description says min 40c tyres don’t go smaller, go bigger if you can.

Plenty of food stops and food provided too.

[snotrag]

Yep, well organised, good routes, goods staff.

The first bunches to set off are 100% racing each other, no matter what they tell you.

You have a timing chip on your board and they publish 'results'. We all know what that means!

[snotrag]

Oh and good stocked food stops as well which makes a change. Could very easily eat oneself into a food coma if not careful!

[jimmy156]

Great! Looking forward to it! Glad to hear that there is a timed element, all adds to the fun

They do recommend a 40mm tyre, I’ll either be on the 38’s on the bike at the moment, or the 35’s I’ve bought to replace them. Not about to get different tyres for one event!

[MarcelM6]

Did a few of their events (incl Surrey Hills) over last 2 years.

Well organised, good routes. Feedstops are well stocked. I think the Surrey Hills one goes around the Denby wine estate which was a nice surprise, as I didn't know the area at all. The 'timing' is the same as most sportives. Not officially a race as such but you get timimg for your personal use,

Doing the Thetford one in 2 weeks - hope it warms up a bit.

[wobert]

I did the Coniston event last year, more MTB terrain than Gravel (big boulders) which kind of killed the enjoyment of the ups and downs.

Feed stops ok.

I’ve signed up to the Salisbury Plain event at the end of April as an alternative to Dirty Reiver.