Kinesis UK Gravelcross Series

Paul Horta-Hopkins

The Kinesis UK Surrey Hills Switchback Gravelcross returns on the 4th of March.

Are you ready for your next dose of gravel based riding? Then get in the swing for spring at CX Sportive’s gravel inspired, MTB friendly Gravelcross Series. Be prepared for mud, sweat and gears on the newest version of my favourite gravelcross course.

The last time I rode the Kinesis UK Surrey Hills Switchback Gravelcross it was in brilliant sunshine

The Kinesis UK Gravelcross Series is meant to appeal to all you lovers of multi-terrain events, whatever bike you ride. The Surrey Hills Switchback combines “the hard grind, narrow tarmac lanes of the areas iconic road riding feature, interspersed with stretches of fast, flowing dirt forest roads, and a sprinkling of rooty back trails and singletrack to spice things up.”

What this adds up to is a sportive that will have you constantly guessing what is coming up next and how best to ride it. Punchy road climb, or rooted gully how will you tackle them? All will depend on which type of bike you are riding. Maybe a cyclo-cross bike with 35mm mud tyres and 36-46 double chainring? Gravel bike with fat 40mm tyres and a single ring with monster 42 tooth rear cog? Or how about a hard tail mtb? The choice is your and each will have its own advantages.

The Kinesis UK Gravelcross Surrey Switchback will start from the village of Chilton, close to Guildford. There will be three marked courses to choose from, either seventy-four, fifty-six or thirty-nine kilometres long. You will also get a paper map and a GPS file, if you need them. Feed stations will keep you fuelled, but watch out if you’re after a fast time, they are a friendly bunch and will keep you chatting!

For those with a competitive urge there are age and gender based standards to aim for, with instant finish line results. And after you have thrashed your mates on the trail you can rub salt into their wounds by swanning around with your gold medal, while they sulk with their bronze!

Post ride you can warm up with a hot drink and some warm home-made food, while checking out series sponsor Kinesis’ bikes. The titanium Tripster and aluminium Tripster AT are exactly the type of bike these events are made for.

The Kinesis ATR is probably the perfect bike for these kind of events

Full details of the Kinesis UK Surrey Hills Switchback can be found at CX Sportive website, where you can also sign up online. Discover the Kinesis UK range of bikes for road, off-road and everything in between at their website.

Buy the Kinesis Tripster AT frameset.

Buy the Kinesis ATR frameset.