Dirty Reiver

Be under no illusion, this is a tough day out on the bike, with 95% of the route off-road it is a full day of gravel riding. 

There are 3 route options so something for various levels of ability and an e-bike option too. If you are unsure which route is for you, speak to one of our team. 

All three event distances are on well surfaced hard packed gravel access roads.

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.

All routes may be subject to change depending on weather and timber harvesting.

The route is suitable for any off-road bike with 33c or larger tyres – preferable with an off-road tread. Whilst the course is designed to favour gravel bikes, a hardtail MTB or similar will be fine.

The required kit is applicable to all distances. All riders must carry these items at all times:

• Emergency Whistle
• Survival blanket
• Waterproof jacket (unless you are wearing it – as a minimum taped or welded seams)
• Spare warm hat or buff type head covering
• Spare thermal top
• Spare inner tube and tyre levers
• Pump
• Multitool
• Front light, at least 200 lumens or suitable for navigation and riding in the dark with at least a 2hr burn time (not applicable to 65km distance)
• Rear light with a flashing mode
• Mobile phone
• Food for the duration of the event
• Ability to carry at least 1.5 litres of water

Carrying this minimal amount of kit helps to ensure that you can keep warm in the event of having to stop or have spare kit if the weather changes.

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

There are the following feed stations available along the routes. 

Feed 1: 53km (for 130 & 200km)

Feed 2: 47km (for those on 65km and 103km for those on 130 & 200km)

Feed 3: 154km (for those on 200km only)

Each feed station will aim to provide:

• Water
• Energy Drink
• Some snack foods such as bananas, wrapped cake bars, hot drinks (feed 2) etc
• The feed stations will also allow access to limited mechanical support.

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 to complete the full event.

There will be 2-3 Cut-off 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: 1030hrs at 34km (for 130/200km riders) after this all riders will be on the 65km route

Cut-off 2: 1630hrs at 137km (for 200km riders) who will then return to the castle

Cut-off 3: this is an optional cut-off at 181km for any rider unlikely to make the course closure at 2130

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

Kielder has very limited mobile signal.

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

• Catering throughout the weekend
• A bar serving beer with other alcoholic drinks at the cafe
• Toilets
• Camping, camper van parking in either the Kielder Campsite or in overflow sites available on a first come basis
• Marquee space for dining

There are various options for accommodation from camping, to glamping, to hostels and hotels located nearby. 

We recommend booking any accommodation early as they book up fast. 

Please ensure you check travelling times from your accommodation to the start to ensure you are there in plenty of time to get ready!

Provisional timings for the 2025 are as follows;

Friday 25th April

The Event Village will be open from 10am. There will be a gravel expo, with event sponsors chatting all things gravel along with various brand ambassador activations including rides and talks (tbc nearer to the date). 

Registration will be open from 10am to 10pm.

Saturday 26th April

06:00-07:15 – Sign on open

07:45-08:15 Rolling start for riders. Please note that the first 2km is on a quiet public road.

21:30 - Finish line closes.