← All eventsEssex Gravel Epic
One of the more accessible, lower-climbing Glorious Gravel routes — rolling south Essex farmland gravel, farm tracks and field-edge byways from Kelvedon Hatch. 54/73/104km, fully signed, feed stations, no cut-offs; the 104km is a real endurance day. Date approximate (August series pattern).
A fully-signed gravel sportive across rolling south Essex farmland, out of Kelvedon Hatch in early-to-mid August. Three routes: 54, 73 and a flagship 104km. \n\nIt's ridden, not raced. \n\nThat's what makes it accessible.
The 54km is a genuine first-timer day. The 104km stacks more of the same friendly gravel until the distance itself, not the terrain, becomes the test.
Is Essex Gravel Epic for you?
- First-timers picking their honest distance. With no cut-offs and a welcoming 54km, a long day on gravel feels achievable rather than intimidating.
- Steady riders who pace themselves. The rollable early farmland tempts a hot start, so it rewards anyone who rations the effort over the full route.
- Endurance riders chasing time in the saddle, not gradient. The 104km is decided by aerobic durability, not by any climb.
- Riders who want quiet, friendly gravel. Farm tracks and field-edge byways, e-bikes welcome, never far from a road.
Training plan for Essex Gravel Epic
A training plan for Essex 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.
- Aerobic durability over distance: on the 104km the limiter is sustained hours, not gradient
- Soft, sticky field-edges that drag, especially after rain, so smooth power beats surging
- Steady pacing on fast, rollable farmland that tempts a hot start and a late fade
- August heat and open, exposed wind on farmland with little shade
- Long Z2 gravel rides building toward your chosen route distance, the core session every week
- Back-half steadiness: holding Z2 late in a long ride without fading
- 1 to 2 sweet-spot or tempo sessions a week for all-day power, never a race focus
- Heat, hydration and fuelling rehearsal at 60 to 90g carbs an hour on your long rides
- 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
