Lauf Gritfest Gravel
📍 Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom
Cerrigydrudion, United Kingdom · 06 September 2026
Difficulty: 4/5 — Very hard
This Welsh gravel event offers two challenging routes, 80km with 1570m of climbing and a 50km option with 930m elevation, both featuring mostly off-road terrain with punchy climbs and some singletrack.
Visit official site →This event is ideal for regular cyclists with some off-road experience who are seeking a challenging gravel ride amidst beautiful Welsh countryside.
Riders new to cycling or those unaccustomed to sustained climbing and off-road conditions, especially "punchy" ones, may find both routes demanding.
Riders should prioritize training for sustained and short, sharp climbs, coupled with endurance for off-road riding over varied terrain.
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Riders can choose between a long route of 80km with 1570m of climbing or a medium route covering 50km with 930m of elevation gain.
The routes are approximately 90% off-road, primarily consisting of smooth gravel, with some flowy singletrack sections and a few softer areas that could become muddy if wet. There are also sections on back roads.
The long route is considered very challenging with regular, steep, and long climbs, while the medium route offers a mix of terrain and elevation with some tricky sections. Both are suitable for regular cyclists, and technically the gravel is mostly smooth without difficult sections.
A gravel bike is recommended and ideal for this route, though a hardtail mountain bike would also be suitable. Standard all-rounder gravel tires between 35-45mm are advised for both routes.
The event provides fully signed routes, checkpoints with proper food and drinks (tea, coffee, cake, sandwiches, crisps), accurate GPX files, mechanics at the village and selected feed stops, and rider support vans for major mechanicals or collection.
On September 6th, the rider village opens at 6:30 AM, with the ride start between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM. Finishes are expected between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, followed by a free shuttle to watch the elite race, and ride times/photos sent by 7:00 PM.
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