The team headed off to the Kielder Forest last weekend for the Panaracer Dirty Reiver

You experience all the emotions in an event like this, and it takes a few days to let it all sink in. Whether you go the full distance or not this simply has to be the most challenging and rewarding gravel event (dare we say cycling event), the UK has to offer. It is surprising and to an extent reassuring to see so many top cyclists aim for 200 kilometres of some of best remote gravel you can find, only to come up short on the day. This is what defines events like these. So much can go right, just as much as it can all go very wrong.

The brisk 07:45 start sees thousands of apprehensive riders squeeze into the grounds of Kielder Castle. All you can hear between the noise of bicycles and chatter are conversations about tyre pressures, hydration and how much sleep was had the night before. The delay to the start due to traffic congestion didn’t help the nerves or the freezing hands as temperatures remained at zero long before the arrival of the morning sun above the towering trees surrounding the castle and campsites. The short neutral lead-in to the timing mat was an opportunity to check everything was working ok, but at this point all you want to do is feel the brake levers through your numb fingers.

Without any warning the ground below changes from tarmac to hard packed gravel, the frosted grass and ferns to your left and right are a reminder its going to be chilly for a while and thoughts of removing layers are a long way off. Riders find their lines on the sometimes tricky surface, realising the easy coffee ride the day before did nothing to prepare them for the terrain ahead.

An hour has passed and we've seen a few riders on the side of the tracks repairing punctures, it could happen to any of us. Thoughts like this can slow you down. All you can think about is how cold your hands are. One of our team mates is seen kneeling by their upturned bike, frantically trying to remove a tyre. They respond to say they’re ok, so we carry on pedalling in the hope they will catch up.

The first feed station is approaching and we are pleased with a solid 50 kilometres without incident as we are reunited with our team-mate who seeks help with a hastily repaired puncture. We said we wouldn’t stop until 100 km and yet here we are topping up bottles and evaluating clothing choices. There’s a long long way to go as we return back on the road – quite literally, as the next few miles are tarmac.

The group splits as two riders breakaway, but not for long as their progress is halted by another puncture, it’s a real team effort to get back moving and make up time.

It’s not long before the group splits again as some riders find their rhythm on the relentless hills and descents and with no time to enjoy the miles and miles of Northumerland countryside, another gel or bar is consumed. 

One rider crashes, hard into the gravel on a fast descent. The bike is ok but his injuries arent fully evaluated until two team mates arrive a few minutes later. Patched up he continues, the trio now focused on getting to the finish safely and in one piece.

At the halfway point its time to re-fuel and re-evaluate. The remaining riders decide to aim for the 130 kilometres and at the crucial point take a right turn, resisting the 200 km route signs. The terrain changes to smooth easy gravel on a fast and flat final stretch to the finish.

Two of the team had raced ahead and were well on their way to 200 km by the time the others crossed the line. The middle distance completers, with their post-race chili and beers now eagerly awaited the return of their team mates in the warm afternoon sun.

Congratulations to Jason and Nathaniel for completing the full distance in impressive times, and to Esther Reid who [we believe] is the first Guernsey lady to complete The Dirty Reiver.

Final positions:

200km

Jason Kon – 08:44:23

Nathaniel Jones – 09:30:34

130km

Alex Clark – 06:39:41

Andrew Godfrey – 07:03:56

Steven Palmer – 07:03:59

Esther Reid – 07:04:34

Simon Veron – 07:05:49

When

April 20th 2024

More info

For more information, please go to dirtyreiver.co.uk

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