The Gralloch

Extreme

Date

2026-05-15

Location

Galloway Forest Park, Scotland, United Kingdom

Distance

330 km

Elevation

N/A

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▌ RIDER INTEL DOSSIER

ID: THE-GRALLOCH

GR SCORE

/ 100

TIER 2

~/dossier/the-gralloch $ cat briefing.md

▌ UCI Gravel World Series Scotland — forest tracks and Galloway weather.

Scotland’s flagship gravel event and a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier. Forest tracks through Galloway with the kind of weather only the British Isles can deliver.

EFFORT49/70

EXPER.55/70

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14 SCORING DIMENSIONS

· Inside the rating

$ ./radar --plot

THE GRALLOCH

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EFFORT MATRIX

· Physical demands · 7 vectors

$ ./bench --effort

LENGTH08/10

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08/10~110 km Pro / 80 km Sport — distance varies by year

~110 km Pro / 80 km Sport — distance varies by year

CLIMBING07/10

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07/10~2,000-2,500 m of constant Galloway forest climbs

~2,000-2,500 m of constant Galloway forest climbs

DURABILITY07/10

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07/105-9 hr in Scottish weather — bodies and kit get tested

5-9 hr in Scottish weather — bodies and kit get tested

TECHNICALITY06/10

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06/10Loose forest tracks, occasional chunky descent

Loose forest tracks, occasional chunky descent

COLD07/10

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07/10May Scotland: 6-15 °C, often wet and windy

May Scotland: 6-15 °C, often wet and windy

WIND06/10

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06/10Open moorland sectors expose riders to weather

Open moorland sectors expose riders to weather

RACE PRESSURE08/10

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08/10UCI Gravel World Series — qualifier stakes

UCI Gravel World Series — qualifier stakes

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EXPERIENCE MATRIX

· Race quality · 7 vectors

$ ./bench --experience

ADVENTURE07/10

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07/10Galloway forest park backcountry

Galloway forest park backcountry

SCENERY08/10

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08/10Galloway hills, lochs, ancient forest

Galloway hills, lochs, ancient forest

ORGANIZATION09/10

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09/10Strong UCI-grade production; well-aided

Strong UCI-grade production; well-aided

VALUE07/10

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07/10Mid-range UK entry; rural lodging affordable

Mid-range UK entry; rural lodging affordable

COMMUNITY08/10

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08/10Tight British gravel scene; growing international entries

Tight British gravel scene; growing international entries

ACCESSIBILITY08/10

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08/10Multiple distances; entry usually available

Multiple distances; entry usually available

FIELD DEPTH08/10

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08/10UCI qualifier draws strong European field

UCI qualifier draws strong European field

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GREEN FLAGS

$ ./pros

[+]UCI Gravel World Series qualifier
[+]Multiple distances accommodate range of riders
[+]Galloway forest scenery, rare in UK gravel calendar
[+]Strong production with closed-road sectors
[+]Affordable entry for a UCI-grade event
[+]Pair with a Scottish riding holiday

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RED FLAGS

$ ./cons

[!]Scottish May weather is unpredictable
[!]Forest tracks turn slippery in the wet
[!]Limited regional accommodation — book early
[!]Open moorland sectors expose riders to wind
[!]UCI rules apply — equipment and conduct standards

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RIDER FIT

· Match by archetype

$ match-rider --types

Endurance MulePRIME · 8/10

Long forest tempo rewards diesel

ClimberPRIME · 8/10

Constant rolling vert through the forest

Privateer ProPRIME · 9/10

UCI qualifier — Worlds slot on the line

Adventure TouristGOOD · 7/10

Pair with a Galloway riding week

Skill RiderGOOD · 7/10

Loose forest descents reward bike handling

Wind WarriorGOOD · 6/10

Open moor sectors test exposure tolerance

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⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE

Galloway weather

A May day in Galloway can deliver sunshine, sleet, and stinging rain in the same hour. The Gralloch rewards riders who pack for every weather and trust their kit.

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TIRE INTEL

· Setup recommendation

$ rubber --recommend

WIDTH

38-42 mm

PRESSURE

28-34 psi

PATTERN

Mid-knob with mud-clearing channels

Galloway forest tracks are firm in the dry, sloppy in the wet. A semi-slick with side knobs handles both; mud-clearing patterns matter in true wet years.

▶ TOP PICKS

1.Schwalbe G-One Bite[40mm]— Grip on loose Scottish forest tracks

2.Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M[40mm]— Balanced for mixed Galloway conditions

3.WTB Resolute[42mm]— Reliable in wet, durable casing

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