OVERVIEW
A brand new route for the 2025 season!
The route will take in some challenging climbs and spectacular descents with some sights of the famous Yorkshire 3 Peaks, the iconic Ribblehead viaduct and a chance to ride one of the best gravel through road in the UK, the Cam High Road.
Set within the wilder part of the Yorkshire Dales, this is a stunning early Autumn gravel classic!
RIDE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Stunning cycling in Yorkshire 3 Peaks country
- Climb and descend the infamous Cam High Road
- Ride past the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct and glorious sections of the Pennine Way
What to expect
This is definitely a challenging ride with plenty of climbing, rougher gravel and long sections in remote areas. Expect the long route to take 4.5 to 7 hours
Ride difficulty
From the gun, the ride is lumpy with plenty of short, sharp climbs both on & off road. The main challenge is the 3.5km climb up the Cam High Road 25km into the ride & on the way back a tough 5km climb with a kick at the end at the 54km mark.
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
This route is approx 50% on small back lanes & 50% on gravel which varies between some smooth sections but plenty of rougher farm tracks. Suitable for more experienced off roaders.
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
The route is 50% gravel & 50% back road so there will be times when you want a hardtail MTB & times when you want a gravel bike.
The gravel trails in the Dales have an annoying habit of being smooth for 90% of the trail and then end with some short hike-a-bike or chunkier terrain. Road bikes are not suitable.
E-bikes are allowed on all of our rides.
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
25th Sept: GPX files and pre ride briefing sent by email to each rider.
27th Sept: 7.30am: Ride village in Giggleswick opens. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins.
27th Sept: 8am to 8,45am: Ride start. We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups.
27th Sept: 7pm: Rider village closes.
27th Sept: 8pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email.
ROUTE DETAILS
LONG ROUTE
Starting close to Settle, the route heads north on small backroads, to join the Pennine Bridleway to take you close to Ingleborough caves and over the top in the shadow of one of the famous 3 Peaks, Ingleborough.
Dropping down to Selside the route opens up and soon enough you are experiencing expansive views of the stunning Ribblehead Viaduct.
After pedalling past this iconic landmark, the route heads uphill again, to join one of the best gravel roads in the UK, the Cam High Road. After the straight descent off one of the highest roads in the UK, you join back roads in Wensleydale to find yourself in Hawes and a chance to fuel up before heading back to the hills.
After Hawes, the route points back South and up the leg burning Cam Road Track to then enjoy one of the best descents in the area. Dropping down into Ribblesdale in the shadow of another famous 3 peak, Pen-y-Ghent, the route joins the road for a short section before the last off road challenge of the day up Moor Head Lane and a descent back to the event village
Percentage of Route Off Road: 55%
Distance: 87km
Elevation: 1,750m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route cuts out the 38km northern loop in including the two tougher climbs of the day and some long remote sections on the Cam High Road.
It’s still a tough ride with 1,000m over 49km but views of the Three Peaks & Ribblehead Viaduct will take your mind of it!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 50%
Distance: 49km
Elevation: 1,000m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
Medium ROUTE
The medium route cuts out the 38km northern loop in including the two tougher climbs of the day and some long remote sections on the Cam High Road.
It’s still a tough ride with 1,000m over 49km but views of the Three Peaks & Ribblehead Viaduct will take your mind of it!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 50%
Distance: 49km
Elevation: 1,000m
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 in Giggleswick. 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 Yorkshire Dales Gravel X starts in Giggleswick just outside of Settle.
There are hotels & restaurants (and a lively market) in Settle or slightly further away you could stay in Skipton or Clitheroe, both around 30 mins away and both nice towns to stay in.
The nearest station with regular trains is Settle, just over 1 mile away.
Make a weekend of it
As with any ride in the Dales, our first recommendation is to go to the best cheese shop in the world at The Courtyard Diary (nr Settle).
There are many fantastic walks in the Dales, Settle or Malham are good places to start here.
If you are on your MTB, head into Gisburn Forest for a day of shredding or for a day off the bike, Kirkby Lonsdale nearby is a charming town with a nice circular walk and some great food options.
Make a weekend of it
As with any ride in the Dales, our first recommendation is to go to the best cheese shop in the world at The Courtyard Diary (nr Settle).
There are many fantastic walks in the Dales, Settle or Malham are good places to start here.
If you are on your MTB, head into Gisburn Forest for a day of shredding or for a day off the bike, Kirkby Lonsdale nearby is a charming town with a nice circular walk and some great food options.
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
