Grit of Dunoon | Explore

We are delighted to announce that the Race option will offer the first ever edition of the Scottish Gravel Championships, with jerseys for every category. This exciting new feature on the Scottish Gravel calendar offers a riding experience and challenge for all levels of rider, with our three ride options available. Experience Scotland's best kept gravel riding secret... Plus, we've got evening entertainment that is totally free of charge in the town of Dunoon after all the events for the Official Grit of Dunoon After Party! Challenge - Scottish Gravel Championships - Do you want the chance to win the first ever Scottish Gravel Championship jersey? The Challenge option takes in 3 loops of a testing 26.5km circuit, culminating in 79km of continuous gravel racing with 1700m across the race duration. There is approximately 4km neutralised at the start of the ride, which roles out from Dunoon Pier and up the High Street in a procession before the flag drops in the forest. Though the event is labelled as the Scottish Championships, the event is also open to international competitors - you'll simply select 'Challenge - Non-Championships' if you want to participate in the Championship event but not be eligible to win a jersey. The event starting as a mass start and being neutralised for the first few km's as a possession through the town. Once the flags have dropped the official race starts in a bunch style format. Grit of Dunoon Explore - The Explore course follows the exact same route as the race edition but is at a more leisurely pace, this event is timed with electronic chips but is considered a non-competitive event. At 80km with over 1400m elevation, this really is a proper gravel challenge. Fortunately, you'll be met with some truly breath taking scene's along the way... Grit of Dunoon Discover Gravel - The Discover Gravel option offers an introduction to gravel with a shorter 25km route route that gives you a fantastic flavour of the Argyle and Bute Gravel offering. This is perfect for young kids or new-comers, exploring this sport of gravel riding. You’ll have the opportunity to ride sections of the championship course in the afternoon with many sections featuring in the first 15km of the Race and Challenge events.