Welcome to GrAviemore
Gravelly goodtimes in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.
5pm friday 15 septmber 2023 to Sunday 17 september 2023
Location: Nr Aviemore, Scottish Highlands
We're excited to welcome you back to the magical bit of Scotland that we call home. In September, Graviemore will be pitching camp again at the gorgeous Inshriach estate, among the juniper, scots pine and the local red squirrels and badgers. We're dreaming of a back-to-basics get together with good riding, good people and good food. Not that we're averse to a bit of luxury though — Inshriach has us covered with a rustic sauna, wood-fired hot tub and a wild swimming spot, perfect for loosening up tired legs. Sound good? Yeah, we thought so.
It's not all about the riding... but that is quite important, and we've no doubt that our 'local', i.e. the Cairngorms National Park, contains more good gravel than a post-modern concept garden, so we're laying on a buffet of routes for you to choose from:
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- Routes are mostly off-road, taking you up the glens on long, flowing gravel tracks, short sections of mellow singletrack and the odd bit of connecting singletrack road. We provide GPX files, you provide your GPS device, as well as access to our Ride with GPS event account allowing you premium features like turn by turn navigation offline maps and PDF maps and cue sheets too! and leave us to worry about the food and campfire for later.
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- You may find you work up an appetite... We will have delicious vegan food at camp, talks, music on Saturday night, a fire and of course, plenty of Inshriach's own gin and local beer and whisky available for purchase on site.
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- Everyone is welcome and routes are inclusive, with options from 30km up to 200+ km to suit your mood and willpower! They're liberally sprinkled with the best coffee/lunch stops in Strathspey as well as heaps of stunning scenery.
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- No gravel bike? No problem! A mountain bike with fast tyres will be just fine – BackcountryScot offer bike hire.
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- We recomend tyres no smaller than 35mm. We ride on anything from 650/700x45 up to 29x2.3.
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About The Riding
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Check out the Instagram page to get a flavour of our local favourites.
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- These are not guided rides. The routes are unmarked, and you should plan to be self-sufficient and carry all the things you normally would for a day ride on your own. As always, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies, so respect the trail, the landscape and any instructions from land managers, as well as other trail users. The routes will be mainly off road on a variety of surfaces, bring a bike with tyres from 35mm upwards. Depending on your skills/comfort zone, you may choose to hike short sections of some of the routes, but we aim to keep them enjoyably rideable.
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- We will provide GPX tracks of a variety of routes from 30km upwards, so you can take your pick on Saturday and Sunday — remember to bring your Garmin or other GPS device. Choose which route(s) you want to ride on which day, and go and have a wonderful human-powered adventure. There will be at least one monster route of around 100 miles if anyone wants a challenge...
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- There are great bike shops in Kingussie, Aviemore and Boat of Garten. Gravel bike hire can be provided by BackcountryScot in Aviemore Email us for more info.
How Much, and What do you get?
Your £125 ticket gets you the following:
- Two nights camping from 5pm Friday.
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- A selection of hand-crafted gravel routes of lengths and difficulties to float anyone's boat, to mix and match on Saturday and Sunday. GPX files provided. Ride solo, ride with friends, or make new ones along the way. (Routes are not guided or signposted, But you will be given access to Backcountry's Ride with GPS Tour account allowing Paid features such as turn by turn navigation on you smart phone or gps device)
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- Dinner on Saturday night, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. All meals are vegan, with an egg option available at breakfast. Bring along your own dinner for friday evening, but we'll fire up the BBQ to cook it on. Alternatively, book one of Graham's excellent wood-fired pizzas!
Note: while the Graviemore team aren't Vegan the vegan menu just makes it easier for us — simples! If you fancy some carnivorous food to throw on Friday's evening BBQ then feel free. Oh Nearly forgot We'll have soup and bread available on Saturday afternoon for when you finish your route.
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- Morning caffeine requirements are available from the lovely Jonathan from Fellside Coffee.
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- Live music on Friday Night (Turas Local trad scottish tunes ) and Saturday night ( Karawane Scotland-based roots world music DJs ) to get your toes tapping, and an outdoor bar in the courtyard to keep you hydrated.
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Saturday and Sunday we have Alice Mcneil from hopeyogaphysio
Providing a free guided introduction to the benefits of Yoga in cycling or plain ole everyday life..
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- Wee riders can join in the Inshriach Treasure hunt on Saturday morning. There's gold in them woods!
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Saturday ealry evening ( just after dinner) we have Pete Mcneil with 'Bikepacking voices'
'Bikepacking Voices is an ongoing project that aims to record
the thoughts feelings and motivations of ultra-distance bikepacking racers
in the moments and places that affect us most.'
'I'll be taking a dive into the psychology of bikepacking racing, sharing personal stories,
thoughts and inspiring moments collected from some extraordinary riders out
in some of the World's harshest races.'
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- Our on-site mechanic Douglas from Big Mountain Scotland can patch up any poorly bikes to keep the good times rolling. ( this a free service** parts still cost but!** )
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- The horse-box sauna and wood-fired hot tub to ease those tired legs.
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-Children 14 and under free.
Not bad eh?
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Campsite information
Tents and camper vans* are equally welcome on the camping field. Remember that Glamping options are available for a bit of extra comfort (please book separately). *please note there is no electric hook up/black/grey water disposal (it's literally a field, but a nice one that will have a stretch tent erected as a gathering point/shelter).
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The field is a 5 min walk ( less to ride) to the loo's/shower/bar/stage/fun/food. we plan on having some Portaloo's closer to the camping field!
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The camping field has plenty of space for all of us, and you'll be able to spread out a little for some privacy. There's drinking water close by, and basic toilet and shower facilities. On Friday and Saturday evening we'll have a bar in the farmyard selling local beers, whiskey and craft gin.
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Down beside the beautiful river Spey there is even a converted horse-box sauna and wood-fired hot tub... (pack those budgie smugglers!) The site is in a quiet corner, even for this part of the world, so bicycles should be safe and sound next to your tent.
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The site is an easy 20min road spin from Aviemore. There is very limited parking at the site, so if not arriving by train, please park near town and ride in. We suggest parking at the BackcountryScot shop (5 Granish Way), or at the Rothiemurchus Woodland car park. A luggage drop will be available at the shop for us to deliver to the site for you, so don't worry about packing those extra socks.
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