Intro
The original Gravelton event returns for 2024
An idea I had in Nov ’22 while bored looking for events to ride the following year. There aren’t many in the Midlands without driving somewhere so I thought I’d make my own challenge up and invite others to take part.
One of my favourite rides ever was a 120 mile scoot around Brum with some mates in 2018 so in a similar vein I took that idea and mapped a 100 mile counter-clockwise offroad route around the city. A ton of gravel or The Gravelton as I’ve called it was born.
This is THE biggest gravel challenge event in the West Midlands. Strava kudos guaranteed
Read my blog post of the epic 2023 edition here
The Date
Saturday 18th May 2024
The Start & Finish
The Crown Inn, Withybed Lane, Alvechurch B48 7PN. Start at a time to suit you. Early is advisable.
Jump on the canal by the bridge. The pub will not be open at the start and is not part of the event directly but somewhere to have a beer (two beer gardens!) and some food afterwards.
The RIDE
The ride is not an official event, it’s a self-supported group ride on the same route on the same day. You are on your own. Just rock up and ride with your mates and enjoy the day out on your bike then a pint and some pub grub afterwards.
Share your ride with other Graveltonions and join The Gravelton Strava Club
Ride whatever bike you want. Just have fun.
How to Enter
Entry is FREE, just turn up but I do advise you subscribe to the event’s newsletter to keep in the loop. All I ask is you spread the word. Tell your mates, share on your socials.
The Route
How to download a Gravelton Route
The route starts in Alvechurch and winds it’s way up into and out of Brum City Centre before navigating Pipe Hayes Park, Sutton Park, Chasewater and a decent chunk of Cannock Chase. Then you’ll head home south via The Black Country for a real sting in the tail at the end as you traverse the Clent Hills, Romsley, Waseley Hills and the Lickey Hills one after the other. You are looking at 100+ miles and around 1700m of climbing in total. Epic.
The 2024 route has been amended to give you the best route possible after learning from the inaugural edition in 2023
You can download the route here
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2447533?units=km
Highlights
- FREE to enter
- NO Parking
- NO Number
- NO Feedstations
- NO Mechanical Assistance
- NO Photographer
- NO Medal
- NO T-Shirt
- 100+ mile route
- 70%+ offroad with a sting in the tail
- Great views
- Various surfaces
- Finish at a pub
- 1700m climbing
- A MASSIVE Achievement
The Rules
- Don’t drive to the event. If you need to drive, find somewhere suitable to park outside the village and ride in please.
- Be self-sufficient. There is no backup on the day
- Take your litter home
- It’s not a race, it’s a day out on the bike.
- Be courteous to other trail users. The route is open to the public and it gets narrow in places so be prepared to share your space nicely if you have to. A bell is highly recommended.
- Complaints. That’s a you problem. I’m not interested.
Parking
There is NO PARKING available at the event start under any circumstances.
The nearest official car park is Barnt Green Railway Station about 1.5 miles away which, to get to the start, follows the last mile of the route, otherwise riders driving will be expected to find suitable on-street parking away from the start and cycle in.
A GPS file from the station to the start is available here
There is also a public car park in Alvechurch behind The Red Lion pub but space here maybe very limited
Gallery
