The Stirlingshire village of Aberfoyle will host a a new gravel riding endurance event for solo riders and relay teams called the Grand Old Dukes on Sunday April 30, 2023.
Event organisers, Bike Trossachs CIC will also stage a two-day community cycling festival Saturday April 29 and Sunday April 30 supported by the EventScotland Community Cycling Fund.
From a timed mass start on Sunday morning, the Grand Old Dukes will see gravel riders tackle a challenging 111-mile route with 10,000ft of climbs, from Loch Lubnaig to Loch Arklet, and the most iconic hills and glens in between.
The specially designed waymarked and marshalled route will showcase some of the best gravel riding in the UK, including a mix of off-road, multi-surface forestry tracks and trails, gravel roads and paths.
Gravelfoyle festival of cycling
Bike Trossachs has partnered with Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC), Dirt Divas CIC and Trailcoach to stage the Gravelfoyle festival of cycling. The event will include a range of free cycling events and activities in the family-friendly Grand Old Dukes event village at Dounans Outdoor Centre, Aberfoyle.
The partnership team will offer adaptive e-assist bikes to demo as well as a series of “come and try” gravel rides, guided long-distance rides, female-led rides and female-specific cycle mechanics sessions. The event village will also host a number of stands, a kids’ pump track and cargo bikes to try.
Event Director Kerry MacPhee, of Bike Trossachs CIC, said: “The growth of Gravelfoyle as a Mecca for gravel riders across the globe has been special to watch over the last five years, as has the growth of long-distance gravel challenges.
“We know there is an appetite for both, so it felt like a no brainer to create our own concept event of climbing 10,000ft over 111 miles. It’s a truly beautiful and at times breath-taking route which should help riders get through the challenging length and elevation on offer and we’re stoked to be bringing this route to the masses.”
Event Director Beth Legg added: “With something for everyone at the event village at Dounans Outdoor Centre all weekend, our new community focused festival of cycling, running in conjunction with the big ride-out on Sunday is guaranteed to have a very welcoming and family atmosphere.”
- Aberfoyle is at the heart of the popular Gravelfoyle cycling destination in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Another event, the Dukes Weekender, is also staged in the area.