The people at World Epic Events and 3T Bike have one thing in common: they love gravel racing. So for the inaugural season of Gravel Epic – a series of four premium gravel race series put on by World Epic Events – 3T will be on board to support the racers and their entourage.
In 2020, the Gravel Epic Series will visit Marrakesh, Mt. Etna, Slovenia and Girona. Coincidentally I have ridden my Exploro in 3 of these 4 places and I can highly recommend them. The only place I haven’t ridden yet (Slovenia) I may put on my calendar this year.
Below you will find a short teaser and some more information about the 4 events. Together with the 7 Jeroboam events we also support, it’s shaping up to be a busy event season for us!
MARRAKESH, MOROCCO – MARCH 29, 2020
Epic course: 182 km, 3300 m climb (10 hours)
Exploration course: 132 km, 2500 m climb (6 hours)
First up in March 2020 is an unparalleled opportunity to explore Marrakesh and the wonders of the Atlas Mountains. After you arrive in beautiful, exotic Marrakesh, give yourself some time to soak up the atmosphere of the city’s markets filled with spices, exotic fruits and handmade artefacts before you head to our base, a luxury camp at the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
Wake up to the sunlit mountains on race day before you start exploring the area. The course will lead you through arid plains to the majestic Atlas Mountains, the highest range in Northern Africa, rising up to over 4000m. After a tough but beautiful climb you will descend into green valleys before you finally leave the mountains and race through the desert trying to beat the sunset. And when it is all over, relax, recover and share your stories in front of a bonfire in the camp. The Marrakesh Gravel Epic race is a day we promise you will never forget. While you are racing, we will make sure your whole family is having an equally good time with activities for everyone, from hot air ballooning, to ATV tours or camel rides, market tours and much more. The Gravel Epic race is an event for the whole family; racers, partners and kids.
More info here: https://www.gravelepic.com/marrakesh
MT. ETNA, SICILY (ITALY) – MAY 3, 2020
Epic course: 164 km, 4600 m climb (10 hours)
Exploration course: 107 km, 3100 m climb (7 hours)
Sicily! Excellent food, great wines and dramatic landscapes. The volcano Mt. Etna dominates Sicily’s landscape and as soon as you step out of the airport you can see its peak covered in clouds in the distance. This challenging course takes you over tarmac, forest roads, centuries-old cobble stones, lava rocks and volcanic sand. The Gravel Epic | Mt Etna course offers more variety than most.
We leave from the idyllic town of Milo from where we climb up to the Mt Etna National Park. This is a challenging but beautiful climb as you see the landscape change and encounter the fist lava fields. The course will lead you through beautiful, old-growth forests suddenly cut open by lava and left nothing but black rock fields in its wake. There are few race courses that lead through such varied terrain. You may even hear the sound of Mt Etna’s rumble as you get closer and climb up to an altitude of 1800m.
And for partners or family who accompany the gravel grinders on this trip, we have a mountain of entertainment lined up as well. From hiking to the crater of Europe’s highest and most active volcano, to the charm of old Catania, there is something for everyone in this beautiful part of Italy.
More info here: https://www.gravelepic.com/mt-etna
BLED, SLOVENIA – JUNE 7, 2020
Epic course: 185 km, 4300 m climb (10 hours)
Exploration course: 107 km, 2600 m climb (5 hours)
Just outside of Bled with its world-famous lake lies the Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps. The Julian Alps are a dream come true for road bikers, mountain bikers and now also gravel grinders.
Almost two hundred kilometers of spectacular views, beautiful climbs and fast descents await you; the perfect mix of tarmac and forest roads. The sounds of traffic and city life will disappear and soon you will hear nothing but your tires rolling, your chain turning and your heart pounding as you race through this spectacular area. You will be distracted only by the spectacular views along the course.
Bled offers the perfect mix for outdoor enthusiasts and their families. Cycling for the whole family around the lake, canyoning or river rafting, hiking, hot air ballooning and much more.
More info here: https://www.gravelepic.com/slovenia
GIRONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
Epic course: 158 km, 3500 m climb (10 hours)
Exploration course: 96 km, 1975 m climb (5 hours)
Girona! Few places stir up so many emotions for bikers around the world; and especially those in Europe. Find out why so many pros and ex pros have made Girona their home. More and more cyclists are also being drawn to the region for its amazing gravel roads.
Fall will not have arrived in full yet when we kick off the Girona Gravel Epic race but expect cool morning temperatures as you leave Girona, soon giving way to a usually sunny and warm day ahead. After a quick ride on tarmac out of Girona, the racecourse will take you past medieval ruins, through historic towns and miles and miles of deserted country roads. The first feed station next to an Iberian church awaits you after the first long climb of the day. Refuel as you take in the amazing view of the mountain on Northern Catalunya. Experience Girona and Catalunya the way few cyclists do, while giving the family a choice of dozens of activities, from the amazing Dali museum in Figures, to sky views of Catalunya in a hot air balloon. Family members could also opt to swim in Banyoles’ beautiful lake and wait for the racers to pass through the town or walk around historic Girona.
More info here: https://www.gravelepic.com/girona
All participants will collect points and the first three overall finishers and top athletes for each age group at the end of the series will be crowned our Gravel Epic Queen and Gravel Epic King. All Gravel Epic Queens and Kings will receive free entry to all races in the following year to defend their crown.
