1,600 riders to take part in gruelling bike race through Kielder Forest
The 200km gravel event in one of the biggest of its kind in Europe
More than 1,600 riders will compete in a gruelling 200km gravel bike race in one of the biggest events of its kind in Europe.
They will undertake a single lap of a mammoth route through Kielder Forest, Northumberland, on Saturday (22nd April).
Such long distances would usually be associated with top-level road racing, but for the Dirty Reiver challenge, competitors will battle their way up and down the gravel routes of England's largest forest.
Gravel bikes, with their part-mountain bike, part-racer hybrid design have become increasingly popular.
Former Tour de France riders including Chris Boardman will take part.
He is the new Cycling and Walking Commissioner, and said:
"Having ridden a bike personally, professionally and for fitness for more than 50 years, it's truly wonderful that it's still possible to keep discovering new ways to use this marvellous machine.
"Gravel riding for me is the exciting sweet spot that sits beautifully between mountain biking and road riding.
"Whilst road riding is still an enjoyable way to explore, dealing with traffic isn't something anyone enjoys.
"Gravel meets my needs perfectly: no traffic and a bit of personal challenge all wrapped in spectacular surroundings. It's where I feel at home."
Alex Maclennan, from Forestry England, added:
"In Kielder we have a massive asset which is the 1,000 miles of forest roads.
"That's as far as Land's End to John O'Groats.
"It can transport people away from roads and traffic and into the wilds.
"That underlines our message that the nation's forests are here for everyone to enjoy."
Hear all the latest news from across the North East on the hour, every hour, on 97.1FM, 103FM DAB, at metroradio.co.uk, and on the Metro Radio app.