Dirty Reiver dials it up to 11 for ’27

Fresh off the back of their 10th anniversary this year, Focal Events have unveiled the biggest edition yet of their flagship Dirty Reiver gravel race.

2027 will see the launch of a new 280km Dirty Reiver Epic route, with riders setting off in pairs at dawn to complete an 80km raid across the Scottish border, before joining fellow riders on the traditional 200km circuit of Kielder Forest.

The Epic marks a new chapter for the event many credit with kick-starting the UK gravel scene – but the organisers are keen to point out that riders will not be left to fend for themselves.

“Unlike many other ultra formats sat within multi-distance event weekends, the Epic is not about disappearing into the wilderness alone with nothing but a GPX file and a long day ahead,” say Focal. “The event has been carefully designed to still provide the same atmosphere that sees the event sell out within hours year after year.

“Going long is something we’ve considered for a few years, to give our riders a new and bigger challenge to aim for at Dirty Reiver,” explains Focal Events co-director Bryan Singleton. “However, it was important to us that we created a format and route that allowed our riders to take on a new distance without losing the feeling and emotion that the event is so well known for. The Epic achieves that and we’re excited to bring it to life next April.”

Taking place over the weekend 23-25 April 2027, the Dirty Reiver Epic presented by GRAVELKING joins the existing format in Kielder Forest, across its iconic border country gravel. Teams of two will roll out before dawn on an exclusive opening loop through the remote forests and gravel roads of Northern England and Southern Scotland. Pairs will tackle this opening sector together, supported by a remote feed station deep within the route before turning back towards Kielder.

The journey concludes not by individually crossing an isolated or quiet finish line, but in the heart of the vibrant Dirty Reiver event village. Riders will come home alongside participants from the 65km, 130km and 200km routes, sharing in the celebrations, stories and achievements of one of gravel cycling’s most iconic weekends.

Entries for The Dirty Reiver Epic will be limited to just 100 teams in its first year. Tickets are now on sale, with entries to the 65, 130 and 200km route options set to open at 8:00am BST on Tuesday 1 September. Mark your diaries – it sells out within hours every year.

Find out more and enter at www.dirtyreiver.co.uk.