Dirty Reiver
26th April 2025
Join Team Action for the Dirty Reiver!
Sign up for a charity spot in the Dirty Reiver with Action Medical Research!
Seize the opportunity to join this epic gravel ride with a place from Action Medical Research – a charity that truly understands cyclists. Your dedication on the trails will contribute to funding vital medical research, helping to save and transform the lives of children. Don’t miss your opportunity to take part in the UK's biggest gravel event!
Key Information
Registration opens in October! We will have early access to entries!
- Event Date: 26th April 2025
- Start location: Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre, Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1ER
- Registration: £50
- Fundraising: £300
- Or, one off Self Payment and no fundraising: £250
about
Since the very first edition of the event in 2016, the Dirty Reiver has set the standard for gravel riding in the UK.
The Dirty Reiver (200km), Dirty One Thirty (130km) and the Dirty Sixty Fiver (65km) are off road cycling challenges based on the Gravel Grinder format found predominantly in America.
Set in the extensive borderlands around Kielder, the route takes you through of the wildest and most remote regions in the UK, giving riders a real sense of adventure.
The terrain itself is all hard-packed forest access tracks, that we call 'hero gravel', fast rolling with good smooth lines. Perfect for a long day out.
Whichever route you opt for, you'll be in good hands!
two ways to pay
Variety is the spice of life!
That's why we offer two different payment options when you purchase a charity place in the Dirty Reiver with Action Medical Research.
- Fundraising: Pay a registration fee of £50 and fundraise a minimum of £300 to fund vital medical research.
- Self-funded: Pay a flat fee of £250, and raise as much as you can.
Event Includes
- Fully waymarked course
- Limited Edition Event Sponsor products
- GPX route, available 2 weeks in advance
- Professional event timing
- OTE supported feed stations
- Full medical team back up
- Hot food and drink at the finish
- Car Parking for the weekend
- Dedicated event manager
Why ride for action?
Join Team Action and you'll get:
- FREE place on one of our RIDE Series sportive events
- FREE Group gravel ride on Friday 25th April
- Access to various brand and Ambassador rides, talks etc. on Friday 25th April
- Access to an online community so you can chat with other #TeamAction cyclists
- Newsletters with handy fundraising hints, tips and event info
Ride for children like Alice
Alice, who was born prematurely at 32 weeks, faces a lifetime of challenges because her ability to move is severely impaired by cerebral palsy.
By taking part in the 2025 Panaracer Dirty Reiver, and fundraising for Action, you can help fund vital research into cerebral palsy that might one day provide answers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How fit do I need to be?
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.
What is the terrain like and what bike do I need?
All three event distances are on well surfaced hard packed gravel access roads.
The 200km event is one continuous loop with three feed stations at 52km, 103km and 154km approx. There is 3100m of ascent with cut-offs at 34km and 136km.
The 130km event follows a similar route to the 200km with 2100m of ascent, feeds at 52km and 103km and a cut-off at 34km.
The 65km event has 1000m of ascent with a feed at 48km.
All routes may be subject to change depending on weather and timber harvesting.
The course 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 but a hardtail MTB or similar will be fine.
Where does the event start and finish?
The event HQ will be at Kielder Castle Forest Park Centre, Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1ER.
Will there be food & drink available along the route?
There will be 3 feed stations available along the course. 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/spares to complete the full event.
Is there a timing cut off?
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
What facilities will be available?
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
What accommodation is available?
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!
What are the timings for the event?
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.
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