The event HQ will be at Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre, Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1ER.
The event village at Kielder Castle will allow the riders access to:
Please note that Kielder is a remote village with very limited facilities.
2022 will see the sixth edition of the ever growing Dirty Reiver Gravel Expo. A display by sponsor brands and related businesses for all things gravel.
We hope riders will travel up early Friday to enjoy a full weekend of Dirty Reiver with riding, beers and good times in plentiful supply.
Starting midday Friday so plan your travel appropriately.
Entry for the 200/130km distances is £75.
Entry for the 65km distance is £55.
Entry includes:
In addition to the standard entry fee, riders can also access:
Please note for certain services there may be a charge for parts/labour.
Any queries on entries please contact us via the contact form or [email protected]
There will be 3 feed stations available en route at approximately 44, 97 and 147km (2 feed stations on Dirty One Thirty Route, 44 and 97km and one feed on the Dirty Sixty Fiver/Dirt-E-Reiver at 44km). Each feed station will aim to provide:
The feed stations will also allow access to a track pump, basic tools, lubricants and a limited supply of inner tubes which can be obtained in exchange for a punctured tube.
The food provided by these feed stations should not be a riders only form of support and each rider should aim to carry enough food and spares to complete the full event.
A drop bag may be submitted for transfer to the 97km feed station (130/200 distances). We recommend all riders use this to supplement the rest of their ride
A bag will be provided at the sign on to be clearly marked with rider number.
Please do not include additional water bottles or fluids. The organisers accept no responsibility for return of these drop bags so please do not include anything you expect to have returned. Drop bags will be returned to the Event Centre after the event has finished.
There will be limited mechanical support provided by Shimano available at Feed Stations on the course. Feed Stations will also have bike stands, some tools, lube and tubes. Riders will be able to access these facilities in a separate pit area.
Please note that there may be a charge for some parts/services.
The event, though non-competitive, will be timed and intermediate split times will be taken at points on the course (an important safety measure). There will be 3-4 Cut-of points on the 130/200km courses. Riders who do not make these cut-offs will be re-directed to a shorter route, this is for event safety.
Cut-off 1: 1230hrs at 64km (for 130/200km riders)
Cut-off 2: 1430hrs at 98km (for 200km riders)
Cut-off 3: 1615hrs at 127km (for 200km riders only) – at this point riders will take a shortened route to Feed 3
Cut-off 4: 2030hrs for anyone not within the last 20km of the finish (130/200km riders)
The general rider briefing will be circulated to riders via email and newsletter in the weeks preceding the event and be available on this site.
Final Rider Notifications will be clearly displayed at sign on.
Our Dirty Reiver Riders Handbook will be available to view from 17/03/2022 and contains details on preparing for your ride as well as information for the weekend.
Any queries please contact us at [email protected]
All riders will be provided their finishing time upon return to the event village. The Dirty Reiver 200 finishing times will be classified as follows:
The checkpoints and cut off times will be clearly outlined in the rider briefing, once they are confirmed (early 2022).
The required kit is applicable to all distances. All riders must carry these items at all times:
Make sure that you carry essential spares and have the ability to undertake rudimentary repairs of your bike; parts of the route are remote.
Friday 22nd April 2022
12:00 – 21:00, Gravel Expo. All supporting brands will be displaying their wares and chatting gravel.
12:00 – 22:00, Sign on open.
18:00 – 22:00 Pasta Party (Vegetarian and Gluten free options available)
The rider briefing can be downloaded and viewed prior to arriving at the event. There will be no formal briefing other than a start line rider briefing to outline any changes.
Saturday 23rd April 2022 – final times tbc
06:30 – 07:30 – Sign on open
07:45 – Start opens for first riders (130/200km)
07:50 – 08:30* (65/130/200km) – Rolling start for riders who wish to set off in smaller groups
22:00 -Finish line closes
Sunday 24th April from 10:00
Social rides and post event coffee run with brands and ambassadors. Full details tbc.
*Please refer to the course cut-offs when planning your start time
**The organisers retain the right to amend the programme/timings should issues arise. Any change will be communicated to riders at the earliest opportunity.
The Dirty Reiver has partnered with the Kielder Campsite to offer riders a convenient place to stay. Please book your camping through the Kielder Campsite Event Page. Directions to the campsite can be found here. Alternate accommodation suggestions;
Northern Star Tepees – Glamping option near the castle. More info to follow in the New Year.
Rock UK- Beds from £20pppn – 013873 75394
Stonehaugh Campsite – various offers for riders
Campervans – self contained units can now park at Forestry England carparks in the area. The charge is £10 per night. We are planning to open a larger area for vans, full details to follow.
Calvert Trust Kielder
Twenty Seven B&B
Kielder Waterside Lodges
Falstone Barns
The Pheasant Inn
Tarset Tor Bunkhouse
Bellingham Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Demesne Farm Bunkhouse
Boe Rigg Camspite and Bunkhouse
Brown Rigg Lodges
Please ensure you check travelling times from your accommodation to the start to ensure you are there in plenty of time to get ready!