GET STARTED WITH GRAVEL

LOOKING FOR AN INTRODUCTION TO GRAVEL RIDING?

LOOKING TO TEST YOUR LEGS ON A LONGER RIDE OUT?

LOOKING FOR A FAMILY FRIENDLY SOCIAL RIDE?

It is the perfect event for anyone looking for an off-road, traffic-free gravel challenge in the Lake District.

JUST.GRAVEL is a collaboration with Forestry England to bring to you the best gravel riding in the southern Lake District. It provides an opportunity for first-time gravel riders to get involved in a professionally organised event and experience the joy of organised social riding. For regular gravel riders, the longer distance is a chance to explore the hidden corners of the forest and test yourself on more challenging terrain.

JUST. GRAVEL is a fully inclusive event, with classes and distances for all riders and guaranteed places for women and families. We offer a choice of three courses, all starting from the Grizedale Visitor Centre at the heart of the forest and the National Park.

We are offering:

- Guaranteed places for women riders and families

- One accompanied child (under 18) per adult place goes free, the second child is half price, Max of 2 children to 1 adult.

- Twenty bursary places for those on low income

ENTRIES

• ENTRIES FROM £35

• ENTRY INCLUDES

  • PROFESSIONAL FULLY MARKED COURSE​

  • FEED STATION

  • EVENT TIMING

  • GPX ROUTE FILE

  • ON COURSE MEDIC AND MECHANICAL SUPPORT

  • NUMBER BOARD

• PARKING IS £8 FOR THE DAY PAYABLE IN THE CARPARK, AT THE FORESTRY ENGLAND PARKING METERS

• WE OFFER GUARANTEED PLACES FOR FAMILIES AND WOMEN

• WE OFFER A 'ONE CHILD RIDES FREE PER ADULT' OPTION - SEE ENTRY PAGE

• WE OFFER LIMITED NUMBERS OF 'ASSISTED' ENTRIES FOR THOSE ON LOW/LIMITED INCOME 

LOCATION & FACILITIES

• EVENT HQ IS GRIZEDALE VISITOR CENTRE, GRIZEDALE FOREST, HAWKSHEAD, LA22 0QJ

• LOCATED IN THE SOUTHERN LAKES, GRIZEDALE IS ONE OF FORESTRY ENGLAND'S HIDDEN GEMS - BEST SEEN IN AUTUMN WHEN THE FOREST TRAILS WILL BE AT THEIR BEST

• THE EVENT CENTRE IS WELL SERVICED WITH AMPLE PARKING, TOILETS, ON-SITE CATERING, BIKE SHOP AND BIKE HIRE, PLUS FOREST WALKS AND TRAILS, GO APE AND VARIOUS SMALL BUSINESSES - SEE HERE FOR FURTHER INFO

• SIGN ON OPENS AT 08:45  SUNDAY AND THE START WINDOW IS FROM 09:45-10:00AM

• THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A FULL FAMILY DAY

RIDER INFO

ALL COURSES ARE ON WIDE, WELL-SURFACED GRAVEL TRAILS - OFFERING SMOOTH RIDING​ THAT IS IDEALLY SUITED TO GRAVEL OR OFF-ROAD BIKES. THE TWO LONGER ROUTES HAVE A VERY SHORT SECTION OF LINKING ROAD.

COURSE DISTANCES VARY FROM 15KM FOR THE SHORTER FAMILY ROUTE TO A 32KM FOR THE LONGER FUN RIDE, WITH A 45KM CHALLENGE FOR FITTER OR MORE EXPERIENCED RIDERS.

THE START AND FINISH ARE AT THE HEART OF THE GRIZEDALE CENTRE, WITH EASY ACCESS TO ALL FACILITIES.  YOU CAN EVEN WATCH THE START FROM THE CAFE!

ALL RIDERS WILL HAVE NUMBER BOARDS AND ALL RIDERS WILL GET A TIME. THE COURSE IS SUPPORTED BY FULLY QUALIFIED MECHANICS/MEDICS AT OUR FEED STATION. OUR FRIENDLY TEAM WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST WHERE NEEDED OR TO GIVE YOU A CHEER!

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

GRIZEDALE IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE CENTRAL LAKES VIA AMBLESIDE AND HAWKSHEAD. FROM THE SOUTH FOLLOW THE SIGNS FROM THE A590 AT BACKBARROW.​

FOR THOSE LOOKING TO MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT THERE ARE CAMPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE AT  SATTERTHWAITE FARM, 10 MINS RIDE FROM THE CENTRE.

A FULL RANGE OF ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE IN HAWKSHEAD AND CONISTON - ALL WITHIN A FEW MILES OF THE FOREST.