ABOUT

Raiders Gravel is four days and three stages of the finest gravel racing. Held in the Galloway Forest Park in South-West Scotland, it has an atmosphere like no other, the event village creating a real sense of community among the riders.

Based in the Dumfries and Galloway town of Gatehouse of Fleet, Raiders Gravel is the original gravel cycling event in the Galloway Forest Park. First staged in 2022 the event doubled in size in its second year and ‘24 will be our third edition.

Staying on the perfect gravel trails of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, you'll ride new routes through some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside.

Red On Sports

Raiders Gravel is organised by Red On Sports, the company behind a growing portfolio of UK gravel events.

The Gralloch is the UK’s first ever TREK UCI Gravel World Series race and a qualifier for the Gravel World Championships. Like Raiders Gravel it's also held in Gatehouse of Fleet, with riders racing on some of the same trails. King’s Cup in Suffolk is home to the British Gravel Championships, with the racing accompanied by recreational Gravel Sportives.

Staff at Red On Sports have also been involved in staging the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth and Dundee on behalf of the Cycling World Championships in Scotland.

Destination

Based in Scotland’s South-West, Raiders Gravel is based in the small town of Gatehouse of Fleet, in Dumfries and Galloway.

We’re in the heart of one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas, to the south is the picturesque coast of the Solway Firth, and to the north are the Galloway Hills. It is in these hills Raiders Gravel takes place.

The area is part of both the Galloway Forest Park and the internationally recognised Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. So unspoilt and unpopulated is the area that in 2009 it was designated as one of the world’s first ever Dark Sky Parks, the first in the UK.

As Raiders Gravel visits an area of beauty and international importance, we are committed to protecting, conserving and promoting the unique natural surroundings you’ll explore on the bike. As such you must ensure you leave nothing behind: no bottles, no wrappers. Nothing. Please leave no trace.

Biosphere

Raiders Gravel is committed to the principles of Sustainable Event Charter of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. That means we are aiming to be a sustainable event, something close to our hearts.

There are now more than 700 UNESCO Biospheres around the world, which have been awarded the designation based on their unique and precious natural environment. Galloway and Southern Ayrshire was the first in Scotland.

The Biosphere is recognised as a world class environment for both people and nature, and is a place of cooperation and collaboration, proving a sustainable way of living is not only possible, but happening right now.

The UNESCO Biosphere designation is recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and the wide range of learning opportunities South West Scotland offers communities, businesses and visitors.

We continue to work closely with the Biosphere to conserve and promote this unique and beautiful area of Scotland.

Raiders Gravel has the privilege of calling the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere home. The UNESCO Biosphere designation is recognition of the fantastic array of landscapes, wildlife, cultural heritage and learning opportunities that SW Scotland offers for communities, businesses and visitors.

CYCLING in THE BIOSPHERE

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is yours to enjoy responsibly. Together we can make this the best possible place for people and nature by following the principles of ‘protect, respect, enjoy’ and abiding by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; take only memories – leave only footprints and tyre marks! 

1. The main aim: leave no trace. Sometimes even footprints can be harmful when there are too many of them. Respect where you are going, protect the beauty and fragile state of the wilderness around you. 

2. It’s obvious, but don’t litter. We’ll provide you with waste disposal bins and recycling bins at the Event Village and feed stations to help you be as environmentally friendly as possible! Don’t drop any litter whilst you’re out on route. Any riders caught purposely littering will be disqualified.

3. Noise is another “polluter”. Be mindful of the sensitive wildlife and tranquil community you’ll be cycling through.

4. While we’ll minimise traffic on the routes, it’s still worth noting that lanes and roads are made for all, including agricultural vehicles – and they’re much faster and bigger than you might think. Listen and watch out and let them pass safely.