VOOM cycling ambassador Nikki reports on riding the epic Gravel Rocks event 2026, held in and around Duncombe Park near Helmsley, in the North York Moors National Park. With some of the North York Moors’ best trails, this multiday gravel event combines leisurely ‘party pace’ sections that link timed race segments for an enduro-style event.
After the day’s riding expect entertainment and a host of brands adding to the atmosphere in the base camp village in the grounds of the estate – whether you’re happiest on two wheels or want to do some gravel running, there’s fun for all the family!
Over to Nikki…
Gravel Rocks Report
The first two riding stages of Gravel Rocks kicked off on Friday night in the grounds of Duncombe Park just as the light started to fade… which, at this time of year, means it’s properly late! It might only be 10k, but it is definitely not an easy 10k. The first timed stage was about 3km in, and it took us around half an hour to get there because Duncan had a puncture — but that is exactly why this race format is so good. You can stay together, help each other out, have a laugh, and still absolutely send it when the stage starts. Bonus: it also meant we had a lovely clear run on the stages… followed closely by the broom wagon!
I remembered stage one the second I crossed the start line — a 3km uphill gravel fire road that had my heart trying to escape my chest and my legs very quickly remembering what racing feels like!
Stage two arrived a few kilometres later and, once again, it all came flooding back the moment I hit it… an 800m climb up a grassy bank that felt like a 30% gradient, straight into an undulating mix of double track, single track, and then into the arena to finish. Heart rate sky high, legs screaming, but the stoke and smiles even higher. I LOVE THIS EVENT!
My night stages were fuelled by Duncan’s fabulous pasta Bolognese, VOOM carbs in my bottle and one VOOM Pocket Rocket Electro Energy bar.
Racing that late at night is not exactly a recipe for a dreamy sleep, so after about three hours of shut-eye, it was time to crawl out of the van and get ready for the next five timed segments on day two. The best bit? The stages are kept hidden until you get out on the course — sometimes with just a short briefing beforehand — so there is always that little buzz of “what on earth are we about to ride and where do I put down the power?”
A Multi Day Gravel Event – Day 2
Saturday morning wasted no time getting spicy. We were straight out of the box from a mass start in the field, heading up a long, gentle climb that definitely got the legs talking early doors!
The next stage came much later in the morning and seemed to appear from nowhere: a long fire road with a steady uphill drag before finishing on a fast downhill blast. Legs on fire, grin fully switched on.
Because it’s party pace between stages, the morning loop took us around three hours — which is basically the dream combo of riding bikes, chatting rubbish, fuelling like a machine, and then switching into race mode when the timing mat appears. I tried to keep on top of it with one VOOM square every 15 minutes, plus a 650ml bottle of VOOM Fusion Fuel.
The morning was fuelled by double porridge pre race, 3 VOOM pocket rocket bars and a POW bar. Plus a few extra sweets and VOOM squares at the VOOM feed stations.
Then came the two-hour lunch stop — pasta, ice cream, and the dangerous moment where my café legs well and truly set in. Getting going again after that was… character building!
There were three afternoon stages, and they made my legs absolutely scream — although that might have been slightly self-inflicted! I’m just getting back into racing, but obviously once the clock starts ticking, the competitive gremlin wakes up and wants to do well.
The stages were a brilliant mix of gravel fire roads, grassy climbs that felt like riding through treacle, and some of THE best single track I’ve ridden on my gravel bike in a long time.
They definitely kept me on my toes — in the best possible way!
Two more Pocket Rockets and another bottle full of carbs kept the engine running for the afternoon. Ohhhh, and I MAYYYYY have visited the SCOTT candy cart more than once. Strictly for performance reasons, obviously!
The race format is so relaxed and social that you can roll around with your friends between stages, soak up the views, have a proper laugh, and then give it alllllll the beans when the racing starts — or, even better, try to chase them down!
The scenery around the area is stunning too. Every year I say to myself, “I really need to come back and ride here again”.
After 100k of riding and racing, a very healthy amount of VOOM energy products consumed, plenty of laughs, loads of smiles, and my legs repeatedly shouting at me to remind me of my love of racing, I rolled over the line as 1st non-pro female and also retained my title as 1st V40!
I was absolutely buzzing with that result — especially while still finding my way back into racing after a tough year off.
I can’t wait for Gravel Rocks next year — bigger smiles, louder cheers, and hopefully just as many snacks. Thanks so much for all the support, guys!
You can see the full event results here.
