Classic
Sun 14 Apr 2024 Reading, Berkshire, UK

RIDE Wessex Downs Dirty | Classic

New gravel ride! This charity fundraising gravel ride serves up a cracking variety of off-road riding, perfect for gravel aficionados and newbies alike.

  • Sun 14 Apr 2024
Pangbourne College, Reading

Classic

07:30

£41.40

Age 16 & over

  • 63 miles gravel riding + 803 ft ascent

Overview

Setting off from the impressive grounds of Pangbourne College, this ride serves up a cracking variety of off-road riding, perfect for gravel aficionados and newbies alike.

Highlights

  • Early season GRAVEL ride

    The newest addition to Action's popular, annual RIDE Series.

  • Variety of off-road riding

    The North Wessex Downs AONB, famous hillside chalk figures and surprising peace and serenity.

  • Complete day out

    Enjoy a great day in the saddle with first-class support throughout.

  • All levels of cyclist

    Choose the route most suitable for your ability and goals.

  • No fundraising target

    Easy entry online with no sponsorship minimum - simply raise as much as you can.

  • Support Action Medical Research

    Ride to raise awareness and funds to help sick and disabled babies and children.

This event is part of RIDE Wessex Downs Dirty.

  • All fitness levels
  • Families
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators

Start times

  • 07:30 | Gravel Classic Route starts
  • 08:30 | Gravel Cool Route starts
  • 18:00 | Cut-off time for finishers

E-bikes welcome

This 'Dirty' ride is the gravel version of the traditional sportive. Gravel, hybrid, mountain and e-bikes are all perfectly suitable. Road bikes are not recommended unless they have been modified for gravel riding.

  • Cafe
  • Changing facilities
  • Free parking
  • Park
  • Rural
  • Showers
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Pangbourne College
Pangbourne Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 8LA
UK

Pangbourne College

Pangbourne College provides the imposing backdrop to this ride.

The college was founded in 1917 as "The Nautical College, Pangbourne", whilst today it serves as a co-educational independent day and boarding school. It's ample grounds, surrounded by quiet rural roads make it an ideal venue with plenty of space to spread out, post-ride with friends and family and enjoy a well-earned refreshment!

Local area

After sampling the delights of the North Wessex Downs on your ride, why not make a weekend of it and dive deeper into this historic region of the UK. Take a trip back in time at Avebury Stone Circle, explore the imperious White Horses that adorn the hillsides, or lose yourself in the winding streets of one of the picture-perfect villages dotted throughout. 

  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Out and back
  • Toilets
  • Undulating
  • Water stations
  • Wave start
  • Way markers

The RIDE Wessex Downs Dirty, gravel routes, provide some of the best gravel riding in the South of England.

Taking in the historic ridgeway, riders are treated to over 20 miles of continuous off-road riding along one of Britain’s oldest trackways. The route also uses numerous byways and bridleways providing a mix of surfaces from gravel lanes, grassy fields and wooded forest tracks, with roughly a 60/40 split between off-road and road sections. Riding along the ridgeway also gives a fantastic vantage point for views across the Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside.

Sustainability

  • Public transport links

  • Chip timing
  • Medal

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support

Ride for a reason

All events in the RIDE Series are organised and run by children’s charity, Action Medical Research. By taking part in an event, not only will you have a great time with first-class support throughout the day, but you’ll also be helping to raise vital funds to help sick and disabled babies and children.

There is no sponsorship target; you are simply encouraged to raise or donate as much as you can.

  • Age 16 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online

16 and 17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

10% off exclusive to TimeOutdoors!

Entry fees

Use code TIMEOUTDOORS

Entry fee

£41.40

A lovely route with plenty of climbing to get the legs going and rewarded with some great views.

Very friendly staff/volunteers at the start, feed stations and at the finish.

Well organised and well signed throughout the route.

Quite tough but well worth the effort.

 

Other races at event

  • Sun 14 Apr 2024
  • #1 of 2
Pangbourne College, Reading

Cool

08:30

£34.20

Age 16 & over

  • 34 miles gravel riding + 649 ft ascent