The Dirty Reiver – Simon Dixey reports:
Sat 23rd April – Dirty Reiver
I was one of four Welland Valley members who travelled north to ride the Dirty Reiver at the remote and beautiful Kielder Forest in Northumberland. The event is the largest gravel race (not a race!) in the UK and was borne out of the gravel grinder format in the US, the most famous of which is Dirty Kanza now known as Unbound.
The challenge was 200km (circa 4000m of elevation) or 130km (with around 2000m of elevation) over a course with only two or four short road sections, so in the region of 95% off-road, over gravel tracks, paths, forest access and fire roads, and one boulder field descent!
The first time I did this event was back in 2018 and I remember it being a very frosty start. This time it was a milder start but with a strong breeze that was looming large. After a steady neutralised (LOL) 2km start there was a nice steady climb to warm the legs up for the proper climbing which would kick in all too soon. There was little respite due to the wind which grew quickly as the morning progressed. When there wasn’t a headwind then the crosswinds gave you plenty to contend with on the descents.
The feed stop at 97km was a bit of a false dawn. The 200/130km course split came not long after and had I known what was about to come I may well have turned left rather than right in an effort to end the suffering! We headed south of Kielder water into the most exposed area of the route, a desolate and unforgiving wilderness where riders were hunched over their bars to battle the interminable wind until the next feed stop at 147km. By this time the field had thinned and there was precious little shelter, it was brutal, I went to a dark place until the much-needed feed stop.
I got a little boost as we approached the dam on Kielder as it was more familiar territory and I was expecting the route to take in the flowing waterside path back to Kielder Castle. Or so I thought, it was the final sting in the tale, two horrible extra climbs before we even reached the relative sanctuary of the path. With those despatched there was the easier and enjoyable roll along the water back to the castle and urgently seek out some recovery juice at the finish.
At the time of writing the official times hadn’t been released, but based on total gps times I completed the 200km route completed in 9hrs 45. Chris Orfeur and Ellie Humphries both completing the 130km route in 6hours. Second claim member Lee “Eddo” Edmonds completed it in 9hrs 34 according to gps.
For those considering riding next year I can certainly recommend it. The event is well organised and is in a fantastic part of the world. But don’t skimp on the winter riding, it will find you out!
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