8 Gravel events we're stoked about for 2022
We're huge fans of the gravel cycling scene over here at Stohk. The freedom to choose your own path. Those visceral feelings as you combine your skills (or lack of if you're me) with the search for adventure. A community of people we’d want to shoot the shit with at the end of an epic day outside. People who are in it for the heads-up-party-pace good vibes and embracing the rule that photo-stops are mandatory.
Gravel cycling seems to be surging in popularity. And with that, there seems to be sooooo many great events coming onto the scene. Thanks to the c-word, we've seen many of these events really impacted in the last year or so. But how good is 2022 lining up to be??
With so many amazing events to get stoked about this year, we've picked a handful here that really have us super pumped. Some we've already been lucky enough to ride/beer at...others that are most definitely on our to-do-bucket-list-must-ride-sometime-soon list. All, no doubt, will really nail the good vibes only, no regrets, adventure on spirit of gravel cycling.
1. Battle on the Beach.
When? 2-3 April
Where? Pembrey Country Park, Nr Llanelli
First up, the UK's biggest off-road bike race. With a 3-lap 45km course consisting of a 5km of beach along Pembrey Sands, 5km of wooded doubletrack and 5km of singletrack this iconic event is part cyclocross, part gravel and part MTB. Throw in the 10km time trial night race and you know you're in for 100% good times.
All out gravel? Fat tyre? Monster cross? Single speed? You'll see it all at Battle on the Beach, so choose your weapon!
2. The Dirty Reiver.
When? 23-24 April
Where? Kielder, Northumberland
Kielder Forest dishes up a 200km route of some of the finest vitamin G(ravel) in the UK. With options for a Dirty One Thirty (130km) and the new Dirty Sixty Fiver (65km) all based on the Gravel Grinder format found predominantly in the mid west of America, it's no surprise this classic is considered a must do for so many.
We'll be rocking up with the Stohk bar this year, so we hope y'all will be more interested in getting in the après-adventure beers than getting in the post-ride zzzzzzzzs!
3. North London Dirt.
When? 7th May
Where? Stoke Newington, London
The grrraveltastic North London Dirt is back for its 5th running in 2022. A self supported event, over a brand new multi-surface 70 mile / 110 km route running out of North East London.
North London Dirt is an event that welcomes everyone. Partnering this year with Ride For Unity and The Steezy Collective, inspiring event organisers Philip and Andrew Diprose are intent on spreading a community message and spirit through North London Dirt that welcomes riders representative of the diverse society that surrounds us. Go you good things!
4. Grinduro.
When? 22-24 July
Where? Machynlleth, Wales
The purple party is coming back to Machynlleth this year, and frankly we cannot wait!
Grinduro is billed as having the perfect party to race ratio. Last year it felt like everyone was adopting an unspoken strategy of getting the partying out the way on night one before a pedal was even turned. Such good vibes.
Grinduro is just what the name suggests: part Gravel Race part Mountain Bike-Style Enduro. One long loop of inclusive, dusty, dirty, maxin' and relaxin'! More than just a bike race. It’s a three day celebration of cycling with as much emphasis on the fun as the ride, with excellent food, an impressive display of art and incredible handmade bikes, live music, camping, and a festival atmosphere. If you can't tell, we LOVE it!!
Read our 2021 post-event musings here...
5. Raiders Gravel.
When? 25-28 August
Where? Galloway, Scotland
Raiders will return to this astronomical gravel location in 2022. More details to be announced very very soon. Trust us, it's going to sweeeeeeet!
6. Dukes Weekender.
When? 10-11 September
Where? Aberfoyle (aka Gravelfoyle), Scotland
This really is 75km of the UK’s finest gravel riding. A social ride mixed with a minimum of 6 competitive timed stages. The incredible route weaves around the stunning lochs and glens of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
Throw in a Hill Climb, a pump track and a carnival atmosphere in the event village The Santa Cruz Dukes Weekender 2022 is set to be a good times belter!
7. Kings Cup / British Gravel Championships.
When? 23-25 September
Where? Kings Forest, Suffolk
Back for year 2, and set to be bigger, more accessible, and all round even more rad.
Join thousands of riders in the King’s Forest, Suffolk to take part in the ultimate gravel festival. From Gravel Fondo and Gravel Race for the British Gravel Championships to live music and camping, this weekend is the ultimate celebration of all-things gravel.
8. Glorious Gravel.
With 33 events already in the calendar for 2022, there really is a Glorious Gravel for everyone. With incredible routes from the Pennines to the South Downs and beyond, through forests, old fire road and wild gravel tracks the Glorious Gravel single and multi-day epics will have you grinning from ear to ear.
The only question, how many can you plan in??
There really are soooo many more beyond these as well. Brother in the Wild, Gritfest, Dorset Dirt Dash, Devon Grit, Further East, GBDuro, All Points North, The Great British Divide & Escapades, epic weekenders with Wild Cycles UK, and on and on and on...
We hope you find many many good reasons to soak up the vitamin G this year. Cheers! We'll see you out there...
P.S. if this all has made you thirsty to, grab your good selves a fresh pack of adventure-quenchers right here...
Best enjoyed after a 
while sitting near a 
