LONG ROUTE
74km | 1,150m
MEDIUM ROUTE
44km | 550m
SHORT ROUTE
54km | 400m
OVERVIEW
The beautiful Cannock Chase is the backdrop for this glorious 74km & 43km gravel sportive.
Taking in a mix of gravel trails through the forest and quiet backroads, this early season ride is suitable for riders of all abilities and is a lovely route with a mix of flat, fast sections, some exciting bits and a few climbs to wake up the legs ready for the bigger rides ahead in the season
RIDE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Stunning off:road forest sections through Cannock Chase.
- Camping available on Friday & Saturday night under the stars in Tackeroo (limited availability, book your spot in the checkout)
- Stunning off:road forest sections through Cannock Chase.
What to expect
The ride starts in the middle of Cannock Chase at Tackeroo Campsite. 80% of the medium route is on gravel & 70% of the long route is off road. Other than a 20km section in the middle, there is quite a lot of climbing but it is a stunning route in one of the most picturesque spots in the Midlands.
Ride difficulty
Neither route is overly long but both the medium & long routes involve a number of off road climbs. This ride is suitable for cyclists of all abilities.
Long Route ***
Medium Route **
***** Reserved just for our hardest routes. Expect long distance & lots of challenging climbs both on and off road.
**** Typically longer rides with regular climbs which could be both steep & long. Suitable for regular riders with some training.
*** A mix of terrain & elevation. A decent day out with some tricky sections but still suitable for regular riders.
** Some harder sections but suitable for all regular cyclists
* Easy, suitable for all riders. Mostly flat route.
Technical difficulty
Conditions in Cannock Chase can vary a lot based on weather. When dry, the course is fast rolling on gravel & hard packed mud. In the wet, it will be slippy in places & muddy with some deep puddles. There are some tougher sections particularly on the long route with tree roots on the tracks.
Long Route ***
Medium Route ***
***** A challenging route suitable only for experienced riders. Expect short hike-a-bike sections, a mix of terrain & loose climbs and descents.
**** Suitable for regular off roaders, the route may contain rockier sections, technical descents etc.
*** A mix of off road conditions with some more difficult sections.
** More typical UK gravel which may be muddy when wet but no challenging sections
* Smooth terrain suitable for all riders.
TYRE & BIKE RECOMMENDATIONS
This route is designed for gravel bikes but you will be fine on a hardtail MTB. We do send out tyre recommendations closer to the time. If dry, a standard all-rounder gravel tyre (35-45mm) will be ideal. In the wet, you will want wider and knobbly tyres to get some grip in the muddy stuff.
Included in entry
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with proper food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30-40km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more.
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with proper food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30-35km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more.
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
EVENT PROGRAM
6th March: GPX files and pre ride briefing sent by email to each rider.
8th March: 7.45am: Ride village at Tackeroo. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins.
8th March: 8am to 8,45amm: Ride start. We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups.
8th March: 6pm: Rider village closes.
8th March: 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email.
ROUTE DETAILS
LONG ROUTE
The route starts with a few kms of great meandering trails in the forest before gaining momentum on some quiet back lanes on the way to the first feed stop.
After the first feed stop, the route takes more back lanes and farm tracks before climbing back into Cannock Chase.
The second feed stop provides a chance to refuel before tackling some more classic Cannock forest trails and gravel roads. Feed well as the second half of the ride has a few climbs along the way!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 70%
Distance: 74km
Elevation: 1,150m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route follows the long route but chops off the final lumpy 30km. This makes the medium a great option for new gravel riders or those looking for a quick route to do in the morning. But be warned, all the climbing is at the end of the route!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 80%
Distance: 44km
Elevation: 550m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route follows the long route but chops off the final lumpy 30km. This makes the medium a great option for new gravel riders or those looking for a quick route to do in the morning. But be warned, all the climbing is at the end of the route!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 80%
Distance: 44km
Elevation: 550m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
SHORT ROUTE
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Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance: 104km
Elevation: 750m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
FAQs
The ride starts and finishes at Tackeroo Campsite. There is free parking onsite as well as toilets & refreshments. We will send the ride village address by email.
Yes, e-bikes are allowed on all Glorious Gravel ride. These must comply with UK law.
We have first aiders & mechanics at the feed stops. There will be a phone number on the back of your ride number – call this if you need collecting.
Camping spaces at Tackeroo are available on Friday & Saturday night. These are booked on a first come, first served basis and are available in the checkout when you book your ride entry.
LOCAL AREA
Cannock Chase is conveniently located just north of Birmingham & 15 minutes from the M6.
The nearest towns are Rugeley and Cannock, both which have plenty of hotels & restaurants.
The nearest train station is just under 4 miles away in Rugeley.
Make a weekend of it
Camping is available at Tackeroo on both Friday & Saturday night. This is a lovely site in the middle of the forest. There is no power or showers but we will have toilets & a food truck available.
Cannock Chase is home to some great mountain biking and lots of good options for walks. Around 1km from our ride village, there is a Go Ape, disc golf & visitors centre. There are also plenty of great options for kids with a great play area & Gruffalo trail.
Make a weekend of it
Camping is available at Tackeroo on both Friday & Saturday night. This is a lovely site in the middle of the forest. There is no power or showers but we will have toilets & a food truck available.
Cannock Chase is home to some great mountain biking and lots of good options for walks. Around 1km from our ride village, there is a Go Ape, disc golf & visitors centre. There are also plenty of great options for kids with a great play area & Gruffalo trail.
Packing list
The route takes in some remote sections. We have support vans available but we recommend you are as self sufficient as possible including:
Bike spares
2 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre
If running a tubeless set up, have a tubeless repair kit including plugs and spare sealant.
Multitool | Chain link specific for your bike chain
Small pump | Brake pads (especially in wet conditions)
Personal Medical kit
1 x crepe roll bandage | Gauze or similar absorbent dressing
Assorted plasters | Antiseptic (spray, cream or wipes) | Prescribed medication
