Entries are now open for Grand Old Dukes gravel ride 2025.
Billed as "the most bonnie and brutal gravel challenge in the UK", Grand Old Dukes (GOD) is an epic one-day gravel challenge set in the stunning 'Gravelfoyle' region around Aberfoyle in Perthshire, Scotland.
Next year will see the third edition of the event take place on Sunday 15 June 2025.
Riders will take on 111 miles (179km) and 10,000ft (3000m) of climbing around the spectacular Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park located less than an hour north of Glasgow on the edge of the Highlands.
"The route has it all: beautiful backdrops of lochs and mountains, every grade of gravel from Champagne to Buckfast and all on one monster loop with no crossover," say organisers Gravelfoyle Events.
"Completing the challenge is quite the undertaking, with a punchy elevation of 10,000ft to climb across the stunning backdrop... but we can confidently say that every single pedal stroke will be worth it, if not for the views alone, then for the thrilling descents."
Alongside the full course, a half distance option (Demi-GOD) will run on the same day for those looking to dip their toes into bigger gravel challenges.
The sold out 2024 event brought a huge range of riders, with Mark Scott completing the challenge in an insanely quick 6hr 34min and the last rider, finishing in 13hr 23min, their longest ride ever!
The 2024 event was sprinkled with all levels of rider, from top pro's to those challenging themselves to their biggest gravel ride ever. No matter what speed or ability though, everyone got to soak up the good vibes the Gravelfoyle Events crew bring to things in what has become a top destination for gravel riding in the UK.
The Saturday before the ride will also see a host of come-and-try events and ride-outs for all abilities.
Gravelfoyle Events are a part of Bike Trossachs, a community Interest Company based in Aberfoyle Scotland. The team run events such as Grand Old Dukes, Gravelfoyle 10 and Dukes Weekender. They also organise free community events such as ParkRide (based on the ParkRun model), Bairns on Bikes and Gravelfoyle Grrrls alongside a host of other initiatives to get more people enjoying the glory of gravel.
Gravelfoyle (the affectionate moniker people have come to use for Aberfoyle) also has the UK's first way-marked gravel trails with a choice of a 10km, 20km or 30km loop, all leaving from the heart of the village. With 100s of kilometers of gravel trails on every side of the village, the place has become a mecca for gravel riders the world over. All profits from events go back into the local community.
Event directors Kerry MacPhee and Beth Legg said: "We've grown this special event over the last two years and 2024 confirmed our suspicions that it should be a keeper. We still have to pinch ourselves that we get to ride these fantastic trails daily.
"Rider feedback has confirmed that this route ranks as one of the most beautiful and brutal challenges in UK gravel riding. We can promise riders the finest and most varied gravel trails to be ridden in a single day in the UK - combined with the most stunning of Scottish backdrops.
"We love sharing these special trails with people and we hope more of you join us in Gravelfoyle in 2025."
Grand Old Dukes tickets are now on sale at www.dukesweekender.com.
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