Dorset Gravel Dash 2026

The weather was looking perfect, bright blue skies, bright blue sea and the grass looking all the greener for it. I was meeting up with a couple of friends, Jo and Simon, for the ride. Events are always a good excuse to catch up. Cheery smiles from the organisers Sam and Charlie greeted us as we signed ourselves in and collected our knobs of Bum Butter with our numbers.

After a brief safety talk from Sam we were off into the morning sun. Friendly chatter from all the riders as we head down the first track of the day and begin winding our way towards Corfe Castle, one of the most iconic survivors of the English Civil war and one hell of a fun descent into the village.

Heading along the edges of the coast to Swire Head, breath-taking views open out before our eyes. There’s always riders playing on the headland and this year was no exception. Through Heaven’s Gate we travelled along the coast before wheezing down chalky dusty tracks and into rolling farmland (with a few scary cows!) towards the first pause of the day at The Sailors Return, a chance to refill water bottles as it was warming up nicely.

Chalky tracks through rolling farmland led us ever forwards. Dorset is so very different to my home in Yorkshire, it almost felt like we’d left the UK. Tunnels of rhododendrons led us towards the ford, I could lie and say we rode through the water but there were far too many people already in it cooling off to even contemplate it. Snacks were calling and a handy thatched post office appeared like a mirage. Coke, ice cream and a carrot consumed and we’re off again.

Here the route breaks from the 100-mile route and moves onto tracks new to us. Usually on a ride at least one of us has a mechanical, somehow today we were simply riding along, having a lovely day with the sun shining on. Before we knew it we were already in Wareham, I remembered the deli with the amazing salads.

The last sections of the route crosses the Purbeck Heath, one of my favourite parts. They’ve reintroduced wild pigs to bring the heath back to life, still haven’t seen one! We started catching up with riders from the two-day bike packing route, looking a little cooked as they rode through a second super sunny day. Secretly it was nice to have my Tripster free of bags and extra weight and just fully enjoy the ride.

Dodging through the streams of Bank Holiday tourists we climbed our way up to Old Harry’s Rocks, a stunning view of chalk spiked cliffs jutting out into the sea. A perfect photo opportunity! Speed boats zipped across the bay. Knowing the last big climb of the day was just round the corner the emergency Haribos were cracked open. Nothing quite like instant buzz of a tangfastic.

Skirting around the back of Swanage we were soon back up on the tracks we had set off on and the Square & Compass was soon in view. A warm welcome from Sam and Charlie as we rode through the Kinesis flags into a pub garden littered with happy, grubby cyclists. Yet again another warm and charming event romping round the stunning scenery of Dorset. Same again next year?