Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies
Event Date: Saturday 24th February 2018
Event HQ: Newburgh Priory, Coxwold, North Yorkshire
The team behind Yorkshire True Grit, a grueling gravel bike event, have added a new challenge to their stable of gravel/off-road sportives: Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies. After surveying participants at the 2017 Yorkshire True Grit there was a lot of interest in a nighttime event – and now Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies is a reality! It will also form part of the 2018 Dark Skies Festival organized by the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies will set off from the stunning Newburgh Priory at Coxwold, in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as the sun begins to set and then the test of endurance, skill and mental stamina starts as riders pedal into the night on a mix of public and private trails through forests, open moorland and farmland. Approximately 50 miles of gravelly/cross country goodness lay ahead for each rider, but only those with Yorkshire True Grit will complete the course!
Course planner and event director, Andrew Wright said: “Riding at night brings a whole new dimension to cycling – we’ve been riding under the dark skies of Yorkshire for many years and it’s great that there was such enthusiasm from entrants to Yorkshire True Grit for a nighttime event. I’m really excited about the route! We’re looking forward to testing riders and their bikes once again. I’ll say nothing more than a spare battery might be a good idea.”
The North York Moors National Park is a stargazer’s paradise with little or no light pollution. Add a cloud-free sky and those taking part in Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies should be able to see thousands and thousands of stars and constellations overhead.
The team at Yorkshire True Grit are getting a reputation for pulling together an event that really tests rider and bike – mixing sweeping singletrack, fabulous forests and the rise and fall of open moorland. Add in the dark sky and this really will be an adventure ride like no other!
The event, as always, is open to gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, XC MTBs, electric bikes, fat bikes and single speeds.
Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies is supported by North York Moors National Park.
Entry is via the website at www.yorkshiretruegrit.co.uk/darkskies or for further information email Andy at [email protected]
