Introduction
Few names resonate as strongly in the UK gravel cycling and bikepacking community as Markus Stitz. Adventurer, filmmaker, author, and route designer, Markus has spent years shaping how people experience riding off-road — not just through routes, but through meaningful, shared experiences.
Through the Dirt Dash series, he has created a collection of gravel events that stand apart from the traditional race format — focusing instead on inclusivity, connection, and the simple joy of riding through incredible landscapes.
We caught up with Markus to talk about the origins of Dirt Dash, how the events have evolved, and what makes them such a unique part of the UK cycling scene.
From Ultra Racing to Inclusive Gravel Events
Q: You’ve built the Dirt Dash series into some of the most distinctive gravel events in the UK — what was the original idea behind them, and how has that vision evolved over time?
Markus Stitz:
For me, the idea of the Dirt Dashes came from my background in ultra racing. I always felt there was a big gap for people who hadn’t done a race or attended a bikepacking event before. Going from zero straight into something like riding in Kyrgyzstan, the Atlas Mountain Race, or similar events is a huge step.
My first bikepacking race was the Highland Trail 550, and I found it really challenging at the beginning. But what I also loved was the social side of it — being around like-minded people, sharing the experience, and connecting along the way.
With the Dirt Dashes, I wanted to take that social element and build an event around it. Something where everyone rides the same route and shares the same journey, so you naturally bump into each other along the way — but in a much more inclusive, relaxed format.
Over the years, that’s worked really well. I think people really value having others around them.
There are a few different types of riders who come to the Dashes. Some are experienced, often from other sports, who want to dip their toes into bikepacking — for them, it’s a way to test things out. Others come with friends, looking for a fun weekend, meeting new people along the way. And then there are those who arrive on their own, using the event as a way to connect with like-minded people.
I’ve seen many cases where people meet at a Dirt Dash and go on to form friendships and ride together on bigger adventures afterwards — and I love that. Cycling is such a social experience at its core.
A Different Kind of Gravel Event
Q: For riders who haven’t experienced a Dirt Dash before, how would you describe the atmosphere and what makes it different from a typical gravel event?
Markus Stitz:
I think the key thing — and what really defines the atmosphere — is that it’s not a race. It genuinely doesn’t matter how fast you ride the routes. There’s no emphasis on timing at all. It’s about taking part, meeting people, and encouraging each other along the way.
I’ve often found it quite difficult to compare the Dirt Dashes to other events. I’ve seen how gravel riding in the UK has evolved over the years. When I wrote Great British Gravel Rides in 2021 — part of a wider series of guidebooks exploring gravel riding across the UK — things were still in the early stages of gravel racing. Since then, it’s really diversified, and there’s now a clear race circuit where people are focused on speed and finishing times.
For me, that’s not so different from road racing — it just happens to be off-road and a bit more technical. But at its core, it’s still about being the fastest. Cycling has never been about that for me.
When I cycled around the world, I could have gone for a record, but I chose not to. What mattered more were the human connections and the memories — those last much longer than any finishing time or result.
That’s what makes the Dashes special. They’re less intimidating, especially for people who are new to group riding or events. Having others around you makes a huge difference.
What I often see is that people arrive in different ways — some already know each other, some have met at previous events, and others come on their own. But because the events are small and intimate, by the end, you pretty much know everyone by name.
At the Dirt Dashes, people feel part of something. It becomes like a small, temporary family — and that’s something I really value.
From a personal perspective, the events are also incredibly important. Alongside writing books and making films, they give me a chance to connect directly with people. I get first-hand insight into what riders enjoy, what they find challenging, and what they’re looking for in a route.
That connection helps shape everything I do — from designing routes to writing guidebooks. It keeps me grounded in the community and ensures that what I create truly resonates with the people it’s for.
Exploring the Dirt Dash Series
One of the defining features of the Dirt Dash series is how distinct each event feels. Markus has designed each route to reflect the character of its landscape — balancing challenge, flow, and atmosphere to create three very different riding experiences.
Together, they form a kind of unofficial trilogy of UK gravel riding — from technical Highland terrain to rolling moorland and coastal adventure.
Cateran Dirt Dash — Raw, Technical, and Deeply Atmospheric
Location: Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland (Cairngorms fringe)
Dates: 23–24 May 2026
Discipline: Gravel / Bikepacking
Distance: ~80–90km over 2 days (approx.)
Entry: £99
Event: https://dirtdash.cc/cateran/
Format: Overnight supported camping
Location: Edge of the Cairngorms National Park
Character: Shortest, most technical, and arguably the most intense
Experience: Remote trails, historic routes, and big mountain scenery
Riders trace sections of the historic Cateran Trail, passing stone circles, ancient drove roads, and wide, open landscapes that feel steeped in history. It’s a route that demands effort — but rewards it in equal measure.
“The Cateran Trail includes sections where riders may need to push their bikes, but the descents are some of the best you can ride in Scotland.”
Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash — Flowing Gravel and Big Skies
Location: Whitby, North York Moors National Park, England
Dates: 13–14 June 2026
Discipline: Gravel / Bikepacking
Distance: ~100–120km over 2 days (approx.)
Entry: £99
Event: https://dirtdash.cc/yorkshire/
Format: Overnight supported camping
Location: North York Moors National Park (start/finish in Whitby)
Character: Mid-length, less technical, highly rideable
Experience: Moorland tracks, reservoirs, and coastal atmosphere
In contrast to the rugged intensity of Cateran, the Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash offers a more flowing and accessible ride.
“It sits nicely in between the Cateran and Dunoon in terms of distance and challenge.”
Dunoon Dirt Dash — Coastal Drama and Evolving Trails
Location: Dunoon, Cowal Peninsula, Scotland
Dates: 26–27 September 2026
Discipline: Gravel / Bikepacking
Distance: ~100–120km over 2 days (approx.)
Entry: £99
Event: https://dirtdash.cc/dunoon/
Format: Overnight supported camping
Location: Cowal Peninsula, Scotland
Character: Most refined and continuously evolving
Experience: Steep climbs, sea views, and a journey that starts with a ferry
Dunoon is where the Dirt Dash story began — and over time, it has become the most developed of the three routes.
“The journey begins long before the first pedal stroke — the ferry crossing already sets the tone for a proper bikepacking adventure.”
Designing Routes: Flow, Challenge, and Experience
Q: When you’re designing a route, what are you looking for? Is it about scenery, challenge, flow — or something else entirely?
Markus Stitz:
When I design routes for the Dirt Dashes, I use the same approach I’ve applied across all my route projects and guidebooks.
For me, it’s all about balance. A route needs a great mix of scenery, but it also has to flow well. It’s not about making things as easy as possible — it’s about creating an experience where the harder sections are balanced with moments that feel rewarding and enjoyable.
There are also practical considerations. Because these are public events, access and land use matter a lot. If there’s a section that might be incredible to ride but is heavily used by walkers, I’ll often choose to avoid it to prevent conflicts.
Beyond the riding itself, I think it’s just as important to connect people with the places they’re travelling through. Cycling is only one part of it. I want riders to experience the landscape, understand a bit of its history, and discover places to stop — whether that’s for food, a coffee, or simply to take in the surroundings.
If the Dirt Dash series has sparked your interest, you can explore more upcoming rides across the UK on the Gravel Endurance events page.
From grassroots bikepacking weekends to established gravel races, it’s a growing list of events worth checking out.
https://gravelendurance.com/gravel-events/
Guidebooks and Further Reading
Alongside the Dirt Dash series, Markus has built a growing collection of guidebooks that explore some of the best gravel riding across the UK — combining carefully designed routes with local knowledge, history, and practical advice.
Selected titles include:
- Great British Gravel Rides
- Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire
- Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Out Now: Gravel Rides Edinburgh, Fife & The Lothians
The latest addition to Markus’s growing catalogue is Gravel Rides Edinburgh, Fife & The Lothians, a new guidebook that expands his focus into another richly varied riding region of Scotland.
With its mix of history, coastline, and rolling countryside, the region offers a very different flavour of gravel riding — and this new title looks set to open it up to a wider audience.
Order here: https://markusstitz.com/books/
Final Thoughts
The Dirt Dash series reflects a broader philosophy that runs through everything Markus Stitz does — cycling not as a race, but as a way to explore, connect, and experience the world more deeply.
As gravel cycling continues to grow in the UK, events like Dirt Dash offer something different: a space where riders of all levels can come together, share the journey, and discover what makes bikepacking so special.
Join the Conversation
Have you ridden a Dirt Dash — or are you thinking about it this year?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments below. These kinds of events are all about community, and it’s always great to hear different perspectives from riders across the UK.
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