OVERVIEW
Given its proximity to London’s urban sprawl the Essex countryside offers a surprising escape into quiet countryside and wide open green spaces that are ideal for exploring on a gravel bike.
Our route takes in a mixture of small country lanes interspersed with hidden bridleways and byways as we ride on sections of The Essex Way and Flitch Way.
With its relatively flat terrain and an even mix of road and off road sections this is one of our easier gravel rides in terms of technical difficulty, but the distance is not to be underestimated. A cracking, flowy summer gravel century ride!
RIDE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Just outside London but very quiet backroads and trails through picturesque villages and lovely countryside.
- Ride over parts of the Essex & Flitch Way.
- A fast course suitable for gravel riders of all abilities with a balance of backroads and gravel sections.
What to expect
The route is on rolling terrain but no major climbs. 40% of the ride is off road on a mix of smooth gravel and farm tracks, suitable for riders of all abilities. Expect the long route to take 4.5 to 7 hours.
Ride difficulty
Out of all our rides, this is one of the most straight forward with no major climbs. The route is rolling and flows well in this lovely corner of Essex.
Long Route ***
Medium Route **
Short 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
60% of the route is on tarmac on some great back roads. The off road sections are a mix of gravel & hard packed mud. When wet, this could have big puddles and sections may be slippy but in the dry this is a route with few terrain challenges.
Long Route **
Medium Route **
Short 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. An all-rounder gravel tyre (35-45mm) will be ideal for all three routes.
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
13th Aug: GPX files and pre ride briefing sent by email to each rider.
16th Aug: 7.30am: Ride village at the Secret Nuclear Bunker opens. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins.
16th Aug: 8am to 9am: Ride start. We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups.
16th Aug: 6pm: Rider village closes.
16th Aug: 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email.
ROUTE DETAILS
LONG ROUTE
Starting from the grounds of the not so secret Secret Nuclear Bunker we’re making our way north picking up sections of bridleway and byway linked together by quiet country lanes through undulating agricultural land and picturesque villages.
The route will see us pick up sections of The Essex Way, a long distance trail that traverses the length of the county, and sections along the Flitch Way former railway line. Given the nature of the Essex landscape you won’t find any long or steep climbs on this ride but it’s not completely flat either.
The route alternates from backroads to gravel and makes for an ideal event for first timer off roaders.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance: 104km
Elevation: 750m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route cuts out 30km to the north of the long route and makes for a very fun and fast 70km ride in the Essex countryside.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance: 73km
Elevation: 500m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route cuts out 30km to the north of the long route and makes for a very fun and fast 70km ride in the Essex countryside.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance: 73km
Elevation: 550m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
SHORT ROUTE
The short option follows the other routes medium route for the first 30km and then cuts off the top 20km.
This ride is suitable for riders of all abilities with no technical sections and rolling terrain but no major climbs.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance: 54km
Elevation: 400m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
FAQs
The ride starts and finishes at the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch near Brentwood. 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.
LOCAL AREA
The Essex Gravel Epic starts at the Secret Nuclear Bunker in Kelvedon Hatch – not far from both the M11 & M25.
The nearest big town is Brentwood which has lots of accommodation options but there are some lovely small towns and villages nearby with smaller hotels / pubs.
The nearest train station is Brentwood (5.5 miles).
Make a weekend of it
Complete your day with a visit to the Secret Nuclear Bunker itself. This is a fascinating place, designed to protect up to 600 people including the Prime Minister whose job was to “organise the survival of the population in the awful aftermath of a nuclear war.”
On the site is a high ropes course and the area is packed with lovely country pubs perfect for a post ride pint or Sunday roast if you are staying overnight.
Make a weekend of it
Complete your day with a visit to the Secret Nuclear Bunker itself. This is a fascinating place, designed to protect up to 600 people including the Prime Minister whose job was to “organise the survival of the population in the awful aftermath of a nuclear war.”
On the site is a high ropes course and the area is packed with lovely country pubs perfect for a post ride pint or Sunday roast if you are staying overnight.
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
