This fortnight is packed with cross country races – but there are also some epic gravel rides happening – and of course the always fun option; uplift days. Check what’s on from below and get signed up!
[Photography by Rachel Gurney, Dave Cudbertson]
- New gravel bikepacking event planned in Scotland – Dunoon Dirt Dash
- 18 Gravel events to attempt in 2022
- 13 of the best ways to attach gear to your mountain or gravel bike for shorter to day-long rides
Enduro and uplift:
1. Beastway 2022 Round 5
[Photo by Jeremy Prout]
Time: Wednesday, 18th May 2022
Location: Redbridge Cycling Centre, Forest Road, Ilford
The FIFTH round of Beastway’s 29th annual series is our usual all-for-one hour-long blast every Wednesday evening in May and June, giving nine rounds of this format, plus the two earlier XCO rounds to make eleven in total.
Lots of friendly rivalries and race camaraderie all around. Good cakes, coffee and showers in the purpose-built pavilion too.
2.FJBC Summer Dirt Crits 2022 Round 1
Time: Fri, 20th May 2022
Location: Callendar Estate MTB Trails, Lochgreen Road, Falkirk, Scotland
Back by popular demand for a second year based at the Callendar Estate Cycle Trails in Falkirk.
The course will take place on a mixture of single tracks and fire roads and it is recommended that all riders participating have a Mountain Bike or hybrid bike.
No bike changes/pits are permitted during the event, and the gridding will be done randomly.
3. Pearce Cycles Uplift Day – Rhyd Y Felin
Time: Saturday 21st May 2022
Location: Rhyd Y Felin, South Wales
Uplifts will run from 10.30 am till 3.30 pm.
Pearce Cycles welcomes everyone for relaxed days riding down a long classic DH track suitable for Enduro, e-bikes and Downhill bikes.
There’s parking, free pressure washer and toilets for riders as well!
4. Berkshire Turbo E-MTB Enduro 2022 – RD2
Time: Sunday 29th May 2022
Location: Hampage Wood, England
Backed by the team at Berkshire Turbo Store, Pedalhounds is the UK’s first-ever e-Bike Enduro series, consisting of 4 rounds throughout the year. Although this is a race, it seems like it’s much more about having fun in a stunning setting. Any bike, hardtail or full suspension, will do.
Check for details and sign up below.
5. Berwyn Bike Park Uplift Day
Time: Sunday 29th May 2022
Location: Berwyn Bike Park, Wales
A one day uplift at Berwyn, Wales’ newest bike park. This one features a multitude of different lines for different skill levels, sick jumps, drops, and all rollable, fast berms that you can roost the hell out of, guaranteed to be an awesome day.
The organisers have an Instagram for future uplift dates and offers: @berwynbikepark.
Spaces are limited, parking is free. Camping is available at £5 per vehicle/tent.
Cross country:
6. South West XC Series RD2 2022
Time: Sunday 22nd May 2022
Location Grammarcombe – Ashcombe Estate, England
The South West XC Series offers quality cross-country mountain bike races in the South West of England.
There’s something for everyone; the age categories go from under 8s up to over 60s!!
7. Welsh XC MTB League Round 2 2022
Time: Sunday 22nd May 2022
Location: Forest of Dean Mountain Bike Trails, Wales
This will be the second round of the 2022 Welsh Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country Series #WelshMTBXC. Following the one-off 2021 Champs, we’ve gone all-out for 2022 and have five rounds within the Series as well as a separate Championship event at the end to finish the season off in style.
Categories include under 6’s, Adults, and beginners/novices so this is a great place for some beginner-friendly race experience in a great setting.
8. Midweek MTB Madness XC
Time: Wednesday 25th May 2022
Location: Leverhulme Park, Bolton, England
Race for Grassroots – from beginners to experienced riders in the Greater Manchester area – sometimes slightly further afield!
Youth and Juvenile £8 advance entry fee – make sure to sign up early as there are no on the day entries!!
£15 advance for Junior and Adults.
9. National Cross Country Series 2022 – RD 4
Time: 27th of May 2022
Location: Cannock Chase, Rugeley, England
Entries for this one close on the 22nd of May so hurry! The 2022 UK National Cross-Country Series will comprise five rounds – this being the penultimate one. There’s camping available on-site – check the details below.
10. Central XC Round 2
Time: Sunday 29th May 2022
Location: Wormsley Estate, Bucks, England
A brand new venue, based at the private Wormsley Estate in Stokenchurch. The course is set to take advantage of the rolling countryside and some great singletrack climbs and descents.
All categories and ages welcome, from U8’s to V60+’s.
11. Travers Bikes MTB Series – Round 4
[Photo by Jon Webber]
Time: Sunday 29th May 2022
Location: Potash Race Venue, Hall Road, Hockley, England
The Travers MTB Series is a friendly cross country mountain bike series open to all ages and adult categories are based on ability – not age. The event organiser Michael from Travers said: “The reason for doing this is you have racing all down the field, rather than just at the front. There is nothing worse than turning up to an event and looking around at the riders and already knowing you are going to be around 20th or 50th etc. Whereas we encourage racing across all abilities, so there is something to ride for no matter if you are at the front or at the back!”
Gravel:
12. Chain Reaction Gritopia 2022
Time: Saturday 28th May 2022
Location: Tweed Green, Peebles, Scotland
Sponsored by Chain Reaction, this event will take you on a journey deep into the valley hinterland, leaving the traffic far behind, and often far below you. You can expect a mile after mile of empty grit and gravel with a few stretches of quiet tarmac linking it all up. The full course is approx 75km (TBC) but shorter options are also available.
Any suitable bike will do. A dedicated gravel bike is perfect but a mountain bike will be fine, and e-bikes are welcome.
13. Dorset Dirt Dash 50/50 and 100
[Photo by Markus Stitz]
Time: Saturday 28th May to Sunday 29th May 2022
Location: Red Lion, Swanage, England
The Dorset Dirt Dash (formerly Dorset Gravel Dash) offers two different events on the same route. The Dorset Dirt Dash 50/50 is a self-supported bikepacking event over two days, while the Dorset Dirt Dash 100 is the ultimate one-day gravel grinder. Both take you around the amazing scenery on the Isle of Purbeck around Swanage. Now on its 7th round, this was one of the first gravel events in the UK and is the perfect way to experience the rugged beauty of Dorset and the Jurassic Coast with fine gravel riding, camaraderie and castles.
All entries are sold out for these two rides, but check out the event page for any other ones you might be interested in…
