Looking for a cycling challenge in the immediate future - as in next weekend?

Organisers of The Gralloch - the UK's qualifier for the UCI Gravel World Championships - have been counting up their ticket stubs and reckon there are fewer than 10 places left for this year's event.

That means you can still ride one of the UK's best gravel events - but you'll have to be quick!

The Gralloch takes place on 18 May. Full details and entry at www.grallochgravel.com.

Don't let your chances to ride The Gralloch get left for dust...
Don't let your chances to ride The Gralloch get left for dust...
The second edition of The Gralloch will take place on Saturday 18 May 2024. Event HQ is Gatehouse of Fleet in southwest Scotland.

The event is part of the Trek UCI Gravel World Series, which sees gravel enthusiasts around the world compete to qualify for the World Championships at the season's end.

The scenic course leads through the forests and wild landscapes of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.

This year's edition will be raced over 111km with 1761m of elevation gain. There are five main climbs with the first, Fuffock Hill, coming almost straight out of the starting gates at Garries Park.

The course is, as you would expect, mostly on gravel but there's a tarmac run-in to the finish allowing racers to wind up for the sprint. If you've entered and don't live close enough for a recce, you'll want to check out the organisers' detailed guide to the route and its various sections here.

While there is a competitive element, you don't need a race licence to enter and our guess is a large proportion of entrants will treat it as an epic gravel sportive rather than a race.

There are three feed stations on the course, along with mechanics and the route is fully signed and marked. A broom wagon is on hand to sweep up any mechanicals or injuries, with food, entertainment and age group podium ceremonies back at the race village afterwards.

The last handful of entries are still available priced £95 (includes a £10 tardy tax).

Find out more and enter at www.grallochgravel.com.

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