Intro
Another daft idea I’ve had while bored looking for events to ride in 2023. 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’ve taken 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.
For me, a gravel or offroad route needs to be at least 60% offroad to be called as such. After some careful planning I’ve achieved 75 miles of offroad which includes some big long chunks with no roads to break it up.
The Date
Saturday 20 May 2023 @ 9.00am
The Start & Finish
The bridge and canal entrance by The Crown Inn, Withybed Lane, Alvechurch B48 7PN. The pub will not be open at the start and is not part of the event directly but somewhere to have a beer 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.
I’ll Strava segment the final route so riders can compare times afterwards.
Ride whatever bike you want. Just have fun.
How to Enter
Entry is FREE but you do need to let me know if you are coming
Initial interest has been higher than I expected so to guage numbers, if you are going to ride please enter your email address via the form below which will also allow me to email you occasionally with updates and information on the event. If you change your mind, just unsubscribe
A Facebook event is setup here
days
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until
The Gravelton
The Route
The route will start in Alvechurch and wind it’s way up into and out of Brum before navigating 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 Lickey Hills one after the other. You are looking at 106 miles + around 1800m of climbing in total.
A .gpx file of the route and a detailed (online) map will be made available in the week before the ride.
Highlights
- FREE to enter
- NO Parking
- NO Number
- NO Feedstations
- NO Mechanical Assistance
- NO Photographer
- NO Medal
- NO T-Shirt
- 100+ mile route
- 73% offroad with a sting in the tail
- Great views
- Various surfaces
- Finish at a pub
- 1800m 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
- 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 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
Gallery
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