← All eventsChilterns Gravel Epic
One of the hillier Glorious Gravel routes for its distance — Chilterns chalk-and-flint byways, bridleways and beech-woodland tracks with repeated punchy climbs. 74/104km, fully signed, feed stations, no cut-offs. Date approximate (late-July series pattern).
One of the hillier gravel sportives you'll find for its distance. The Chilterns pack short, sharp chalk-and-flint climbs into every kilometre, out from Kingston Blount across the folded, beech-clad escarpment.
Two options: a big-but-achievable 74km, or the flagship 104km Epic that stacks a real endurance day of climbing. Firm and fast on dry chalk, slick and claggy when it rains.
It's a friendly day, ridden not raced. Signed route, feed stations, no cut-offs and long July daylight, so you set your own pace. Beer and a medal waiting at the finish.
Is Chilterns Gravel Epic for you?
- Riders building up to their first big gravel day. No cut-offs and two route options mean you pick the distance your legs actually support, then ride it at your own pace.
- Climbers who ride to a rhythm. The route stacks short, sharp ramps, so it rewards steady repeatable efforts over hitting each one hard and fading.
- Anyone happy self-fixing a flint puncture between feeds. Help is never far, but you carry your own spares and fuel across the chalk byways.
- Riders who want punchy hills without the singletrack. This is chalk byway and bridleway, not technical mountain biking.
Training plan for Chilterns Gravel Epic
A training plan for Chilterns Gravel Epic isn't a generic base build. Beina reads the event's exact demands, looks at your specific profile and the time you actually have, and maps a highly adapted plan to the start line.
- Short, steep chalk-and-flint climbs stacked through the whole route
- Climb-rhythm discipline: steady repeatable power beats redlining every ramp
- Slick, claggy chalk to handle on the steep climbs and descents when it's wet
- Aerobic durability on the 104km, where the back-half climbing tells on tiring legs
- Punchy climb repeats: 6 to 10 x 2 to 5min on gravel climbs
- Sweet-spot blocks: 2 to 3 x 15 to 20min at 88 to 93% FTP
- A long weekend hilly gravel ride building toward your chosen route distance
- Low-gear climbing drills plus 60 to 90g carbs/hour fuelling rehearsal
- Built from your current fitness and the time you actually have
- Adapts every week as Beina learns how you respond
- Syncs your sessions straight to Garmin and Wahoo
- One clear next session, never a wall of spreadsheet
