Here in the UK, we are playing catch-up when it comes to gravel racing. That might be down to our ‘cross heritage, or simply that we don’t have the hundreds of miles of gravel roads that the States have.
Nevertheless, things are changing. We’ve just heard from the organisers of Yorkshire True Grit, which they claim to be ‘Yorkshire’s first gravel grinder challenge event’. We have a feeling that the organisers of the AGGREGATE100 might point out that there’s is held earlier, but we suspect that it is all in the semantics/format. The AGGREGATE100 is a race rather than a challenge event. From a rider’s point of view though, who cares? Another #dirtydropbargoodness event can only be a good thing.
Held on 4 September, Yorkshire True Grit is designed to be a tough, but accessible challenge with three distances and even an e-bike category. The 60 mile ‘Outlaw’ route still sounds like a toughie though, with 7000ft of climbing thrown in…
If the event has piqued your interest, here are the full details, courtesy of the organisers:
Yorkshire True Grit is a new event on the cycling calendar – and is the first Gravel Biking Challenge event in Yorkshire.
Taking place on Sunday September 4th, Yorkshire True Grit starts at the stunning Duncombe Park, Helmsley and winds up to the North York Moors before returning to Helmsley via a series of private tracks and trails in Bransdale.
There are three distances to choose from: The Stampede (20 miles); The Drive (40 Miles) or The Outlaw (60 miles). All the routes feature some trails that are not normally open to the public.
This could also be one of the toughest challenges around too – with all three distances designed to test your personal endurance, and grit. The ascent on The Outlaw is just over 7,000ft – which will challenge even the best riders.
Based on the U.S. Gravel Grinder format, Yorkshire True Grit also aims to be accessible by all disciplines of cycling – there are classes for gravel, mountain, singlespeed, fat and electric bikes.
Organiser, Andrew Wright, of Bikewright.com explains: “I’m passionate about all things cycling and it is the accessibility of gravel biking that appeals most – jump on a bike and ride, and enjoy it. We want to encourage people from the different disciplines to come together to experience something a little different. We’ve created a true test of endurance in The Outlaw and whichever steed you choose, it is going to test your spirit of adventure and determination.”
“The Stampede and The Drive are both testing rides with 2,500 and 5,500 ft of ascent respectively – but we’ve chosen the very best trails – it’s the local knowledge that pays off for Gravel Biking and I’ve been riding the North York Moors for nearly 40 years. You don’t know good trails by looking at a map, you only know them by riding them”.
Yorkshire True Grit will be donating a percentage of its profits to charities – St. Monica’s Hospital, Easingwold; Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue; and The Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
To enter Yorkshire True Grit, or to find out more visit www.yorkshiretruegrit.co.uk
