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Location

  • Location

    Location

    The event HQ is at Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre, Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1ER.

    Please allow plenty of time for parking as you may be a 10 min pedal away from the event village.

  • The Terrain

    The Terrain

    Whether riding the full 200km or the 130/65km distances, riders will be on hard-packed gravel for the vast majority of the event. The terrain is typical of the original Gravel Grinder format found in the US.

    The trails are wide and typical of the access roads found in commercial forest. Surfaces can vary, but are predominantly fast rolling on small or smooth gravel.

    Riders should be prepared to be in remote terrain for large sections of the route. Our compulsory kit list outlines what we consider to be the basic requirements for an event of this nature.

    Make sure that your bike is prepared and that you are ready for a ‘day on the gravel’ Dirty Reiver style!

  • Facilities

    Facilities

    Please be aware that Kielder is remote and has limited facilities. The nearest shops are at Newcastleton and Bellingham, both a 40min drive away. We advise riders to bring everything with them for the weekend.

    Kielder also has very limited mobile signal.

    Kielder Village offers:

    • Petrol Station
    • Campsite and some indoor accommodation – see separate section

    The Event Centre will have a full range of facilities including:

    • Catering throughout the weekend
    • A bar serving beer, with hot drinks available at the cafe and from Northumberland Coffee
    • Toilets, showers and fresh water
    • Camping and camper van parking are available at either the Kielder Campsite (see accommodation page) or in overflow sites available on a first-come first-served basis
    • Marquee space for dining
    • On-site bike wash, mechanics and some limited bike spares

  • Gravel Event Village

    Gravel Event Village

    Our Gravel Event Village has continued to grow with more brands joining each year – some who have been with us since the first event village in 2016!

    Our full list for 2025:

    • Panaracer – legendary GravelKing tyres from Japan
    • SRAM – where it all began – with their 1x gravel setup
    • Lauf – with their distinctive fork and their Seigla bikes
    • Joes No Flats – our lube, bike cleaner and tubeless specialist
    • LeCol – bringing their range of UK designed gravel apparel to the party
    • Wahoo – our head unit and indoor trainer partner
    • POC – helmets and glasses which work together for a seamless fit
    • ZIPP – from wheels to full finishing kit
    • Clif – nutrition specialists to keep you cranking the pedals
    • Camelbak – with a new range of gravel specific hydration and storage products
    • Chamois Buttr – plenty of samples to keep you comfy in the saddle
    • Unior – showcasing a range of tools from Pro kits to trail essentials
    • Selle San Marco – surely the finest Italian saddles and an option for everyone
    • Fenwicks – lubes and cleaners
    • Stohk – pre and post race beers and a special Dirty Reiver brew for the event