Moonlit mayhem! Dark Skies Gravel returns this February

Dark Skies, a unique night-time gravel and MTB ride, returns on 28 February to Sutton Bank National Park Centre near Thirsk. 

Part of the National Parks’ Dark Skies festival, riders will explore a specially designed route that heads off into the twilight and ride together under dark skies on the fantastic gravel roads, paths and tracks in the North York Moors.

Night owls may remember Dark Skies from years gone by: the event is a reboot of Yorkshire True Grit’s ride of the same name.

Dark Skies’ one-of-a-kind loop winds through an area so famed for its lack of light pollution, it’s a total stargazer’s paradise and one of only 24 designated International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Riders will set out on the epic, 67km, route in daylight and ride into the dark on a mix of public bridleways and drover’s paths in woods and across open moorland built up from decades of homegrown knowledge. 

Riding at night brings a whole new dimension to cycling and whether you’ve excited your senses riding with lights before or not, at Dark Skies, anyone can give it a go and take on a fantastic route incorporating some superb gravel paths and quiet country lanes with fast rolling surfaces. Make no mistake though, the North York Moors is peppered with big views and bigger climbs, and the sheer distance will be a real challenge to complete in the dark.

If the thought of attempting such a big night ride is daunting, the entry fee includes a fully signed route to guide the way when you’re flagging. The route also passes through some civilization (and a pub or two!), and a hot-soup feed station will help riders feel less spooked out in the night.

The company of other folk riding the loop with you, and event marshals sweeping the course and offering encouragement, ensure this amazing experience is safer and more fun than riding solo. 

Entrants are welcome to take a racy or leisurely pace on any bike from gravel to electric to mountain bike, and so long as you have the legs and the lights and some cushioning and tread on tyres, Dark Skies is for you.

There’ll be an option to cut short a portion of the route to stay safe if leg batteries look set to die before light batteries, and starting and finishing at the National Park Centre with the excellent In the Wilde café means you can fuel up beforehand and share stories afterwards about your ride amongst the stars.

Come out of hibernation this February for a Saturday evening like no other and ride into the night at Dark Skies.

Entries are open now at British Cycling: www.britishcycling.org.uk.