The Dukes Weekender is an event that has captured the imagination of riders from every discipline over its first 2 years.  A unique festival based in Aberfoyle, Scotland (now dubbed ‘Gravelfoyle’) exploded last year to attract 500 riders to this location that is becoming a widely viewed as a premier destination for gravel riding in the UK.

• 13 of the best ways to attach gear to your mountain or gravel bike
• Top tips to make the most of the off-road night riding season
• Five ways to survive winter riding if you hate mud

We've just heard that the event returns again on September 12-13^th 2020 with a format that truly is original to any UK event.  The main ‘Dukes Weekender’ entry combines a short crowd laden Hillclimb on the Saturday afternoon, with a 70km Gravel Enduro on the Sunday. Rules are that you have to ride the same bike for both events but wheel and tyre changes are allowed! 

Taking in the incredible backdrop of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park the gravel enduro route includes 6 times stages and rolls between the lochs and glens of stunning Scottish scenery.  Each event is also available as a stand-alone entry and the weekend also includes a Kids Enduro, Film Night, Demo Bikes and a Pumptrack in the event village.

Early Bird entries open for Dukes on Thursday 5^th December at 5pm, that's today so click here for more information and a link to entries. 

Dukes Weekender was born and remains a community focussed project with the aim of helping develop tourism in the village of Aberfoyle and promoting gravel riding to a wide audience. The village is set in the heart of a National Park and the explosion of Gravel in the area has been a revelation with the town now affectionally adopted the hashtag #Gravelfoyle. Check out this short video for a taster of the event.

If the 2020 event is anything like the previous ones, there will be plenty of cycling superstars to mingle with, races for the kids on the Saturday and, of course, the Dukes Gathering on the Saturday night. This is an evening of discussion featuring some big names in cycling who in the past have included Graeme Obree, Lael Wilcox and John & Katie Archibald.

• www.dukesweekender.com

You might also like: 

• Buyer's guide to gravel & adventure bikes - everything you need to know
• The best gravel and adventure bikes you can buy for under £1,000
• The best gravel and adventure bikes you can buy for under £2,000