Grit of Dunoon 

Taking place on 29th June 2024, the inaugural edition of Grit of Dunoon features three exciting ride options of 'Challenge', 'Explore' and 'Discover Gravel. We are delighted to announce that the Challenge 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 in 3x loops of a testing 26.5km circuit totalling 79km of continuous gravel racing which features 1700m of elevation over the course of the day. 

We are offering category awards for both male and female in: 

Elite

19 - 39 Years

40 - 49 Years

50 - 59 Years

60 +

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 do not wish to be entered into the championship event. 

The start time is 11:30 with the event starting as a mass start and being neutralised for the first few km's as a procession through the town. Once the flags have dropped the official timing starts in a bunch style format.

Due to the nature and higher pace of the event, we've limited entries to 180 spaces across the Challenge option and offer over 80km of gravel racing across the day. 

Grit of Dunoon Explore

The Explore course follows the exact same first lap of the Challenge Course, before venturing north toward Loch Eck. If you're not so much into the racing thrill this could be the ride option for you!  This event is timed with electronic chips but is considered a non-competitive event. At 80km with over 1500m elevation, this really is a proper gravel challenge. Fortunately, you'll be met with some truly breath taking scene's along the way...

You'll set off just after the race wave, with riders setting off from 11:40 - just 10 minutes after the race wave. Riders can roll out any time between 11:40 and 12:15. 

This wave has a capacity of 500 riders  and we'd expect the slowest time to be around 6hrs. 

Grit of Dunoon Discover Gravel

The Discover Gravel option offers an introduction to gravel with a shorter 25km 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 Challenge and Explore events.