The Frontier 300 isn’t just a ride, it’s a full-blown gravel adventure, and one that deserves a spot on every gravel rider’s bucket list. We caught up with Kev to hear how he got on!
I lucked out with the weather this year, which on a ride this long feels like winning the lottery. Rain had been forecast all day, but other than a few hours of showers around Kielder, we stayed mostly dry. Not bad for a 300km and 12 hours on the bike.
The setup for the event is super slick. You park at the finish line, hop on a bus to the start, camp out overnight, and then ride your way back to your car, and a well-earned beer! It’s a great system that makes the logistics smooth, even when you’re deep in the middle of nowhere (which, let’s be honest, is exactly where you want to be on a gravel ride).
The route itself? Brutal and beautiful. 59 climbs, countless views, and about half the ride on gravel or remote tracks. You’re never short of a challenge, but you’re also never short of a jaw-dropping backdrop. It’s the kind of terrain that makes you feel like you’re genuinely out there, just you, your bike, and some cracking company.
Speaking of which, I rode with my mate Leon, who had a tough start with a dodgy stomach for the first 150k. He powered through like a trooper, and I stuck with him to make sure he didn’t fall apart too badly. We met some good lads along the way too, everyone just seemed to be enjoying the ride and looking out for one another. That’s the great thing about gravel riding: the community spirit is always there.
Mechanical issues? Just one puncture for Leon. Otherwise, we rolled smooth for the 12 hours or so it took us, only stopping for quick refuels and the four well-placed feed stations. The organisers nailed it, top marks for planning and support throughout the day.
By the time we hit the finish line, we’d earned that post-ride beer several times over. Tired legs, big smiles, and one more epic ride in the books.
If you’re into gravel, long days in the saddle, and discovering the kind of scenery you just don’t get from the road, the Frontier 300 is absolutely worth doing. Get it on your list, you won’t regret it.
