Golazo Cycling UK are excited to unveil Raiders Gravel Galloway. A 4-day international gravel stage race. The event is a uniquely Scottish gravel adventure in the heart of the Galloway Forest Park. The 4-day festival features 3 race stages where riders explore the many corners of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere taking in the natural wonders, wildlife and serene outdoors. This premium all-inclusive event has the optimal mix of adventure, entertainment, culture and relaxation, guaranteeing an unforgettable time in the South of Scotland. Raiders Gravel is a team event where riders enter and participate in teams of two. The inaugural edition will take place from October 7th to 10th 2021, with the official event village being situated in Gatehouse of Fleet.
Malcolm Smith, Golazo Cycling Director says “we’re stoked to bring this incredibly unique event to the stunning region around the Galloway Forest Park. Our goal is to create the world’s leading full-service gravel cycling event and to showcase the spectacular wilderness and beauty of the region to a global audience. We aim to welcome gravel and outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe to the South of Scotland whilst inspiring the next generation of cyclists in the region.”
Official Event Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_ra1_KaIM4
Aaron Budd, UK Head of Sales and Marketing at Canyon says “we are very excited to be a partner of this uniquely Scottish gravel event. The format of the event, coupled with the vast landscape in Galloway makes for some exciting racing and riding and we can’t wait to be there this October!”
Raiders Gravel Galloway has been made possible through funding support from the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), Dumfries & Galloway Council and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), as well as the support of world renowned brands including Canyon, POC Sports, HIGH5, Bioracer, MucOff and several other event partners.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to making the region the best place in rural Scotland in which to plan, manage, deliver and visit memorable festivals and events. The active Major Festivals and Events Strategy supports superb cultural and sports events such as the Wigtown Book Festival, Spring Fling Open Artists’ Studios, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, Big Burns Supper, the Scottish Rally and World Championship Ice Hockey tournaments in Dumfries. The Tour of Britain has visited Dumfries and Galloway and hosted more Stage Starts and Finishes here more than any other venue or destination outside of London.
Councillor Adam Wilson, the Council’s Events Champion said, “I warmly welcome Golazo UK’s decision to create the Raiders Gravel Festival, in our unspoilt Galloway Forest Park. We have so much for cyclists to explore and enjoy, and our villages and towns are charming to visit. After the terrible stresses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, I hope hundreds of people will participate in the Festival and enjoy our great outdoors.”
Jemma Reid, Project Manager, South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) said “we’re delighted to be supporting the new Raiders Gravel Galloway event. It promises to be a phenomenal few days with riders exploring just some of the many natural wonders and natural excitement that we have in the South of Scotland. We believe it is a great addition to the suite of cycling events that we have underway this year.
From the Solway Coast 200 to Glentress mountain biking mecca, the South offers superb cycling with options for everyone, no matter your age, level or ability. We have it all – gentle hills, road routes, challenging terrains – topped off with the most spectacular, breath-taking scenery. As we at the SSDA work to transform our region into a world-class destination, the cycling community and cycling events such as Raiders Gravel, will play a big role in helping us become the go-to location for those visitors looking for the best two-wheeled adventures in Scotland!”
Local community benefits
Raiders Gravel Galloway first and foremost aims to promote the South of Scotland as the go-to outdoor gravel cycling destination in the UK. The stunning landscape on offer in the Galloway Forest Park will be broadcast to outdoor and cycling enthusiasts across the globe.
The event organisers are making 10 team entries (20 riders) available via the Gravel Grant. This grant aims to ensure the event and participation in cycling more widely is accessible to the most underprivileged and underrepresented individuals in the cycling community. Individuals are encouraged to nominate deserving cyclists via the Raiders Gravel website. Self-nominations are welcome. The Gravel Grant recipients will be selected in due course.
The opening day (Thursday, October 7th 2021) will feature an evening cycling event/race for local children and families, aiming to encourage and inspire the next generation of cyclists in the South of Scotland. Participation will be completely free. Throughout the entire event, the event village in Garries Park is publicly accessible and all those interested are encouraged to attend and join in the festivities.
Gravel enthusiasts from the South of Scotland (Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders) can also benefit from a £100 discount off the standard team entry package. Interested riders are asked to contact the event organisers directly via the event website or info@raidersgravel.com.
Local charities are also encouraged to reach out to the event organisers about volunteering opportunities. £500 donations are available per charity per day for each group of 10 volunteers provided to support the event. The event organisers have also partnered with Wheels of Fleet who are one of the nominated charities/community organisations and all riders have the option to make a donation (during the registration process) to support this exciting bicycle project based in Gatehouse of Fleet.
