Sportive Breaks

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The Ekoi Stone Circle Gravel Event 2024

29th June 2024

See our flexible bookings payment plans. View Details.

Days

1, 2 or 3 nights

Gravel

From

£55pp

Why Book This Trip?

Sportive Breaks are an official travel partner of the Ekoi Stone Circle Gravel Event – part of a midsummer festival of gravel cycling starting on 28th and finishing on 30th June 2024. 

Forget Glastonbury, Ekoi Stone Circle returns on 29 June 2024, and with more route options, a bigger festival village and improved camping facilities, this should be the midsummer festival on the radar of all gravel riders. Now in its second year, this American-style gravel event in the Wiltshire countryside boasts a mix of fast-rolling hero gravel, shaded woodland trails and farmland byways, all set to the backdrop of historic sites you only see on this side of the Atlantic.

The event village, or Festival Fort, returns to the English Heritage site of Old Sarum near the Medieval City of Salisbury, where riders can expect hot food, cold beer, a live DJ and exhibitors showcasing some of the latest gravel bikes, kit and accessories. By camping on site, entrants can spend more time in bed before rolling out of their tents and onto the start line. And with an after party planned for the finish line, it makes sense to stay until Sunday too.

With three routes to choose from, there’s something for everyone. A brand new 55 km Festival route has been designed for new gravel riders as well as the seasoned ones who put fun first. The 155 km Historic route now includes more American-style hero gravel on the Salisbury Plains; fast-rolling roads on M.O.D. land, which event organisers Hotchillee get a special licence to use for this event. And featuring all of the above and more, the 220 km Monumental route returns by popular demand – this is the ultimate challenge, with riders rolling out at the crack of dawn.

For many, one of the highlights of the inaugural Ekoi Stone Circle in June 2023, was passing Stonehenge at sunrise. Druids had gathered for the summer solstice to worship at the ancient site, and there was magic in the air. Later in the route, the meadows around King Alfred’s tower lay strewn with exhausted riders, thankful for a rest at feedstop 3.

With staggered start times, riders from all three routes are expected to arrive back to the Festival Fort around the same time for an after party with a live DJ and drinks promotions – another great reason to book that onsite camping which will include shower facilities!

Also new for 2024 is the optional Friday night hill climb. This promises to be a fun event, with prizes not only for the winner, but for the best fancy dress costumes too. 

“This is a really unique event with fantastic routes and an amazing festival atmosphere.”     Nico Roche

Race the Solstice Sun past Stonehenge: Starting at dawn from the historic hilltop fort of Old Sarum, the epic 220km route will pass the iconic landmark of Stonehenge as participants embark on this monumental adventure through Druidic Britain

Guaranteed Event Entry: Entries available for all three distances from £55 

HOW TO BOOK:

Click on the Book Now button above – this will take you directly to the event website where you will need to provide the following information:

  • Name, Email and Address
  • Which distance you wish to register for:
    • 220km – £95
    • 155km – £85
    • 55km – £55
  • How many hours do you estimate it will take you to finish?  3 – 15 hours
  • What type of bike will you be riding? Gravel, MTB, Cyclocross
  • Emergency contact name *
  • Emergency contact number *
  • Upgrades available: 
    • Camping £50 (2 person tent for 2 nights – price per tent)
    • Parking £10
    • Campervan (includes parking) £60 (2 nights – price per van)

What's Included?

Sportive Entry

220km, 155km and 55km routes available

Mechanic Support

Available throughout

Hill Climb Event & Rider Expo

Entry & fancy dress optional for the hill climb + supporting partners showcasing their products

After Party

At Festival Fort on Saturday night

Highlights from the Past Event

Itinerary

Day To Day

From 4pm, arrive at the English Heritage site of Old Sarum, Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SD when the Festival Fort opens. There will be a Pre-Ride Festival including an optional fancy dress Hill Climb Event and supporting partners showcasing their latest products and chatting about all things gravel.

  • 16:00 – 17:30: Riders Sign On – collect rider number / chip and feed station drop bags (if required)
  • 17:30 – 18:00 Rider Welcome
  • 18:00 – 19:30 Hill Climb Event – entry and fancy dress are optional
  • 21:00 – Festival Fort closed

This is the day. Ride from dusk till dawn to finish before sunset.

The route covers a wide variety of terrain including fast rolling gravel, woodland singletrack, field-side bridleways, disused railway tracks and road so the sheer versatility of a dedicated gravel bike running 38mm + tyres would be our recommendation. However, a lightweight hardtail MTB with fast rolling tyres or Cyclocross bike would also be suitable.

Timings:

  • 03:30 – car park opens
  • 04:00 – Coffee and breakfast available
  • 04:00 – 06:00 – Feed station bag drop open
  • 05:00 – 05:30: Last minute Sign On (if you couldn’t make it on the Friday evening)
  • 05:00 – 10:00: Start line open
  • 12:00 – Finishers Festival open
  • 18:00 – 22:00: Finishers Party
  • 21:00 – Finish line closes

A hangover ride (TBC) is planned for 8am on Sunday to stretch the legs and help muscle recovery. After that it’s homeward bound.

10:00 – Vacate campsite 

You're in safe hands

We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.

Plenty to choose from

Did you know? We offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.

Spread your payments

Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply

Logistics covered

We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.

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