EVENT DETAILS
RIDE SUMMARY
Gravel Rocks: A Gravel Riding Extravaganza for All!
Gravel Rocks welcomes riders of all levels to experience the thrill of gravel riding amidst the stunning landscapes of Duncombe Park and the North York Moors National Park.
Friday Night’s ‘Gravel Rocks in the Dark’: Kickstart the adventure with a 10km night stage beginning at approximately 9:30 pm. Lights are a must but do not worry if you do not have them as Exposure Lights will have a hire option – more details to follow.
Starting straight off the prologue ramp, riders will tackle a 3km Special Stage on mixed gravel trails. After a further sociable ride through the estate, a final timed 2km sprint awaits, featuring a short but challenging climb and wide trails. The finish line, located in the event arena, will be buzzing with tales of the night’s escapades. The entire Friday stage will be fully signed by the event team.
Saturday: The Big Day with Big Views and Big Country: Prepare for an epic 75km journey through the finest riding terrain the area has to offer. A full GPX of the route will be provided, with only the Special Timed Stages marked with course arrows and signs etc. Riders take charge of gpx navigation and embracing the adventures along the way. All of this is, of course, doable on drop bars, and for those seeking a more leisurely day, shorter options are available.
Special Stages: Saturday’s main event features a minimum of four special stages, combined with those from Friday, determining the podium winners. Advance information about each stage’s distance and terrain will be provided, but not the exact location, adding an element of surprise to the overall adventure. Special Stages will be clearly marked with signs, marshalled at the start and finish, and fully signed throughout — no need to solely rely on the GPX for this part of the journey.
Join us at Gravel Rocks for an unforgettable weekend of camaraderie, challenges, and the sheer joy of gravel riding!
RIDER CLASSES
Event categories and podium presentations for:
Pro – Male/Female/Open
Age Categories (taken from actual age on the day of the Friday event)
U21 – Male/Female/Open (min age 18)
21-30 – Male/Female/Open
31-40 – Male/Female/Open
41-50- Male/Female/Open
51-60- Male/Female/Open
61 and above – Male/Female/Open
Our Open class is for any rider who does not fall into the male/female class.
We also have an e-bike category, prize classes for this to be announced based on numbers. Please note that we do not have facility to charge batteries at the event centre or on course. E-bikes must comply with current EAPC guidelines (as outlined on the Government website) and should not be modified in anyway.
In categories with less than 5 riders we may take the decision to combine with the next lowest age group.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Entry for the weekend costs £120 (+ payment fee) and includes:
Friday night stage – fully marked
Saturday stage – gpx with marked timed segments
Total of 6 timed segments
Access to bar and catering throughout the weekend – variety of choices and prices
Camping for 2 nights
Campervans etc – additional £15 + book fee for the weekend
On site and on course medical cover
Parking for the weekend
Limited edition event sponsor goods – supplied by brands
Access to Event Village and Sponsor Activations
Saturday fully stocked on course Feed Station
Showers/Fresh Water
Supporters £15 – please reserve online
Free supporter activities and guide
ACCOMMODATION
The event venue is fully serviced and has plenty of room for riders to remain on site. Fresh water, showers, full catering/bar and toilets are all on hand.
Campervan/Roof Tent is available at an additional £15 for the weekend (Fri/Sat). Please note we do not have any hook up facilities.
If you fancy a little more luxury we are also providing the option to stay in your own Teepee in the Gravel Rocks Teepee Village. Each unit has carpeting, bedding, lighting, beds etc.
Full detail and booking, for accommodation only, link here.
REQUIRED KIT
All riders should carry/wear:
- Approved bicycle helmet
- Clothing appropriate to the conditions – you may need a spare top as our ride takes you onto the moors
- Correct size inner tube for your bike
- Tyre levers
- Multi-tool
- Pump – even if you carry CO2 or run tubeless
- Gpx unit for the Saturday
- Lights – front and rear for the Friday – hire options available from Exposure Lights. Link to follow
- Water bottle
- Trail snacks
SUPPORTERS
Why not bring the family along to support?
We are offering Supporters tickets at £15 for adults (over 18) and £10 for over 12’s. The price includes access to the event village, entertainment and the full range of facilities plus free activities and activity pack for the weekend plus Fri/Sat camping.
Our Supporters Guide will give details of all the things to see and do in the area plus the best locations to cheer on your riders. Free activities will be outlined nearer the time to include a family trail/treasure hunt and suggested easy rides and walks within the estate.
FOOD/ENTERTAINMENT
A full range of catering will be available throughout the weekend with most dietary requirements covered. Please get in touch with us if you have very specific requirements.
Meals will be available to purchase from our caterer throughout the weekend from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.
Both Friday and Saturday evening will have live entertainment in the main event village.
FINAL RIDER INFORMATION
Final Rider Information will be downloadable here 3 weeks prior to the event date and will be sent out, with gpx links, via the event newsletter.
Much of the event route is on private land within Duncombe Park Estate. It is important that there is no riding prior to or after the event as this can effect the livelihood of the local community.
TIMING AND RESULTS
Riders will be issued with a timing chip at registration alongside their rider number, both should remain on the bike for the full weekend.
Riders are responsible for returning the timing chips at the end of Saturday’s stage or earlier if they retire. Loss or damage to timing chips will incur a cost to the rider.
Results will be displayed by class a short time after the last riders cross the line.
EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY:
14:00 – Event Village Opens
15:00 – Catering/Bar Opens
17:00 – Warm Up Loop Opens
19:30 – DJ/Entertainment
20:00 – Warm Up Loop Closes
21:30 – Night Stage Starts
23:00 – Night Stage Closes
23:30 – All Quiet
SATURDAY:
07:30 – Catering Opens
09:00 – Morning Stage Start Opens
10:00 – Morning Stage Start Closes
EVENT SCHEDULE – CONT
SATURDAY – cont:
12:00 – 25km course cut-off
13:00 – Catering/Bar Opens
14:00 – 45km course cut-off
17:00 – Saturday Stage Closes
17:30 – Evening meal service starts.
19:00 – Prize Giving
19:30 – Music from DJ, socialising and celebrating
23:00 – All Quiet
SUNDAY:
07:30 – Food vendors open
09:30 – Social Led Rides
13:00 – Event Village Closes
COURSE DETAILS
The total ride distance over the weekend will be in the region of 85km. This will be split into a 10km night stage on the Friday and a 75km stage on the Saturday.
Saturday’s stage will have options for a shorter route of approx 30km or 50km, but still have all of the fun of the Timed Stages. Our podium presentations will be based on the combined times of the special segments completed by riders who ride the ‘full’ distance.
FRIDAY STAGE DETAIL:
Friday’s ‘Gravel Rocks at Night’ stage will be run within the grounds of Duncombe Park Estate, starting and finishing in the heart of the event village. The riding terrain will be predominantly on good width double track and hard surfaces with the occasional section of single track. A few steep climbs will test the legs, so make sure that you keep something in reserve!
Riders will start from our Prologue Ramp to complete the first (2km) timed segment within the 10km stage. Riders will need lights and the whole stage will be fully signed. A further 3km timed segment will decide who will be our overnight leader.
Final details of the timed segments will be attached to the Final Rider Brief which will be available 3 weeks before the event.
SATURDAY STAGE DETAIL:
Starting again from our Prologue Ramp riders will complete a short timed section within the grounds before heading out into the National Park and the North York Moors. Riders should expect a total distance of 75-80km with shorter options for anyone wanting to take things a bit easier.
Riding terrain will be a good mix of fast hard pack trails, some well surfaced bridleways and plenty of moorland trails overlooking the surrounding hills. Expect to see purple heather as far as the eye can see!
The timed segments will offer riders a chance to shine whatever their riding strength. We have climbs, descents and undulating trails all on private land. Rider should prepare for at least 4 segments on a mix of single track, double track and everything in between.
Saturdays route navigation will be by gpx to add to the adventure with the timed segments fully marked. Again the final details will be available on the site, we will release the stage type, the distance but not the location.
Timed segment locations will be marshalled and clearly signed.
SUNDAY DETAILS:
Sunday is a chance to get up a little later and we hope to be able to offer some social riding in the morning. We will make available some gpx route suggestions and have brand ambassadors on hand to attend some of the rides.