OVERVIEW
One of the highlights of the UK gravel season. The Wight Roads Gravel Epic takes in the best off roading with some glorious coastal paths, gravel tracks through woodland & quiet backroads as we go off the beaten track on the Isle of Wight.
Choose between the 48km, 66km or full 100km loop all from Freshwater. Hop over for the day with an early ferry from Lymington or make a weekend of it on this brilliant island for gravel riding.
RIDE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Panoramic views across the Isle of Wight and the Solent.
- Varied route taking in a mix of back roads, gravel trails & bridleways
- Discover lesser visited parts of the Isle of Wight from woodland trails to picturesque villages and quiet beaches.
What to expect
A glorious but relatively challenging route with plenty of climbing / descending and a mix of terrain. It’s about 50/50 on / off road so expect long sections on flowy back roads and some slower bits on more technical gravel.
Ride difficulty
The Isle of Wight is hilly throughout and there isn’t much flat on the route. The longest climb is 2km and most of the ascending is on short & sometimes sharp climbs.
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
This route has a real mix – up to 50% is on backroads but the off-road contains gravel, singletrack, chalky sections on the ridges and some slightly rockier sections.
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. A wider all-rounder gravel tyre (40-50mm) 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
10th July: GPX files and pre ride briefing sent by email to each rider.
13th July: 7.30am: Ride village at Tapnell Farm opens. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins.
13th July: 8am to 9.30am: Ride start (if you’re coming on the ferry, take either the 6.05 or 8am crossing). We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups.
13th July: 6pm: Rider village closes.
13th July: 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email.
ROUTE DETAILS
LONG ROUTE
The ride starts at Tapnell Farm, a short 5km ride from the ferry or free parking provided.
We kick off with a very punchy first 20km. Straight from the start we go onto gravel and take in three sharp, off road climbs as we head inland towards Newport.
After a feed stop, we roll to the east coast on a mix of gravel and back roads before turning south and the toughest gravel climbs of the day around Ventnor (the first at 1.3km and averaging 10%, the other 3.4km at 4%).
The last 25km sees us head north up the west coast. It’s mostly downhill on a mix of backroad & gravel before finishing back at Tapnell Farm for a well earned beer.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 50%
Distance: 100km
Elevation: 1,700m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route follows the long route for the first 20km and from Newport, we skip the eastern loop and head south to Ventnor for the two big climbs and then the quick final 25km home up the west coast.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 50%
Distance: 66km
Elevation: 1,200m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route follows the long route for the first 20km and from Newport, we skip the eastern loop and head south to Ventnor for the two big climbs and then the quick final 25km home up the west coast.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 50%
Distance: 66km
Elevation: 1,200m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
SHORT ROUTE
A stunning and varied 50km option. The route follows the long course for 20km towards Newport and then heads back to the west coast along different gravel trails before hitting the coastal roads near the end.
Rolling throughout, this is a relatively short ride but definitely packs a punch.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 60%
Distance: 48km
Elevation: 800m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
FAQs
The ride starts and finishes at Tapnell Farm, the former site of the early IOW festival in 1970. This is 5km from the ferry so this is doable as a day trip to the IOW or come spend the weekend. 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.
Book glamping or a farm cottage directly with Tapnell Farm here – https://tapnellfarm.com/stay
LOCAL AREA
The ride starts at Tapnell Farm, just west of Freshwater.
This is about 5km from the ferry (Yarmouth) so you can take the 6.05am or 8am crossing if you are doing this as a daytrip.
If you don’t stay at Tapnell Farm, there are a number of campsites nearby or a few hotels in Freshwater and more options in Newport, 9 miles to the East.
Make a weekend of it
This is a great gravel ride to turn into a weekend break.
We will put on a group ride on Saturday afternoon to the Needles but there is tons to do on the IOW for the weekend including:
– Osbourne House (the former home of Queen Victoria)
– Spend a day on the beach (a few to choose from, Ventnor in the South is one of our favourites)
– Visit Carisbrooke Castle
– Stay at Tapnell Farm and act like a kid on the Aqua Park.
Make a weekend of it
This is a great gravel ride to turn into a weekend break.
We will put on a group ride on Saturday afternoon to the Needles but there is tons to do on the IOW for the weekend including:
– Osbourne House (the former home of Queen Victoria)
– Spend a day on the beach (a few to choose from, Ventnor in the South is one of our favourites)
– Visit Carisbrooke Castle
– Stay at Tapnell Farm and act like a kid on the Aqua Park.
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
