In just four short years, the ENVE Stone Circle has cemented its status as one of the premier events on the UK gravel calendar. We sent Alex and Pete to find out whether it really is the Glastonbury of Gravel...
Held the weekend after midsummer, the Stone Circle offers riders the chance to explore the gravel trails that criss-cross Salisbury Plain and the surrounding countryside - on one of the longest days of the year. As a special touch, organisers secured rare permissions: riders got up close to Stonehenge, and gained access to normally off-limits military terrain across the Plain.
> Stone Circle 2023 report: Hotchillee hit the gravel jackpot >
Event HQ is based at Old Sarum, a ruined Norman castle perched on an Iron Age hillfort, setting the tone for a weekend with a distinctly mystical-medieval flavour. Entrants could also live like a cave-dweller for the weekend by staying in a bivvy or camping in the field below the hillfort, washing in a bucket when the showers packed in, or large-it like one of King Arthur's knights in a luxury bell tent that wouldn't have looked out of place in Camelot.
Three route options on Saturday catered to all levels: 'The Jester' (82km, 1100m); 'The Rebel' (137km, 1500m) and 'The Bastard' (220km, 2700m). Each boasted an impressive 70-80% gravel or singletrack, making this one of the best stones-per-pound off-road sportives out there.
To complete the festival feel, there was a full programme of extras: warm-up rides on Friday, and on Sunday, sunrise yoga and a hangover ride. For family members dragged along for the ride, Saturday featured dog walks, trail runs, and kids' activities.
But it was Friday night's fancy dress hill climb that truly set the tone. The unwritten rule: take the costumes seriously, not the racing. The field didn't disappoint - and fittingly, it was won by a rider dressed as everyone's favourite mystical hot-head: Thor.
The weather gods largely smiled on the event. Aside from a muggy start on Saturday morning, the weekend basked in sunshine. No rain meant the campsite stayed dry, though some late finishers grumbled when the food vans ran out, and a few campers cursed the earwigs that had claimed their tents.
Still, the overwhelming vibe was one of joy. Many riders had returned from previous years, and first-timers - like me and Pete - were already vowing to come back for more.
Below, a few of this year's Stone Circle riders tell us about their bikes and their weekend...
Interviews and Photography by Alex Beyfus and Peter Levenspiel.
Friday Night Party People
DUNCAN from London - ENVE MOG
Frameset: ENVE MOG
Groupset: Shimano GRX Di2
Tyres: Tufo Gravel Thunderos 45mm
I've ridden loads of events: Dirty Reiver; La Resistance in Annecy; Traka 200; Sicily with Glorious Gravel, etc; but this is my favourite! I just love the vibe and hooking up with so many mates. The hill climb was a blast!
I was brought up near Child Okeford so I know lots of the trails already, but it still took in gravel sections I didn't know. I rode the 'Monumental' route last year which was hot and hard. I was going to do The Bastard but cut off 25 miles by going up Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, but decided to ride with mates who did The Rebel all the way.
ANDY from Tonbridge - Calibre Dark Peak
Frameset: Calibre Dark Peak
Groupset: Shimano Claris
Tyres: WTB Riddler 38mm (40psi)
Calibre are known for their great-value mountain bikes - this is their first gravel bike and I think it has performed well for the price.
Although I've been bike-packing, I'm fairly new to gravel. The Stone Circle Rebel was only my second gravel event and my longest ride in anger on this bike. It was great so I will be back. I have already begun looking at wider tubeless tyres and handle bars with suspension to help tackle The Bastard next year!
ELIOTT from Kingston upon Thames - Cannondale CAAD 12
Frameset: Cannondale CAAD12
Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace
Tyres: Panaracer GravelKing SK Plus TLR 30mm (45/42psi)
This was my first gravel event and only my second ever gravel ride. The other riders were great and the atmosphere was fab. Sadly, I got a puncture 11km from the end - I had help from two lovely people, but without any success. I was so close to the finish and had had an absolutely great ride - Gutted to DNF!
I loved the route and would be super keen to do it again. I'd still use my current bike as I don't think an upgrade is in the pipeline for the near future, but my next bike will definitely have wider tyres!
VOLKER from Frankfurt - Poison Tellur
Frameset: Poison Tellur
Groupset: Shimano GRX600 2x11
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Bite TL 45mm (25 psi)
Before Covid, I took part in road bike marathons, Ironman triathlon and Alpine tours. After three years off the bike I felt safer off the roads and decided to get a gravel bike. I saw Matt Stephen's Youtube video about the Stone Circle and was keen to enter. I registered, started training and planned our summer holiday around this event.
The Hill Climb looked really fun in videos so I decided to join. I think everyone had fun, and the costumes were amazing.
I stayed in a 'Deluxe Bell Tent', which meant that there was no need to bring any camping stuff, but I still had to deal with an earwig when it ran over my face on the first night.
The Rebel felt pretty hard. With the headwind on the plains and the steep climbs in the first 60k, I was struggling until I got to the first feed station. That saved my life! The next kilometers were more fun. I met a group of five and enjoyed the forest trails with them. I've never ever had pizza or potatoes at a feed station - such a great idea - so much better than sweets all day!
It was my first gravel event and a fantastic weekend. I absolutely have to come back to do The Bastard.
An 'Orange Collective' Jester
PETRA from the Somerset/Wiltshire border - Reilly Reflex
Frameset: Reilly Cycleworks Reflex - our Aero Race Gravel Bike with a mix of 3d printed Titanium and cast titanium to produce smooth aero lines. Forks sprayed by Mercedes F1 Paint Shop.
Groupset: SRAM Force Groupset with 165mm Cranks and 36t Absolute Black Chainring
Wheelset: Strada Gravel Aero Plus rims on DT Swiss hubs
Tyres: Panaracer GravelKing X1 45mm in limited edition Cranberry
Others: 38mm Reilly Carbon integrated aero gravel with 10 degrees flair; Sella Italia SLR Boost Saddle.
(Petra has won honours at National, European and World level, including three UCI Downhill MTB Masters World Championships, and is now a Reilly Ambassador.)
Although I've ridden many bikes as a former professional this is the best bike I have ever been lucky enough to ride. I was riding the event as part of 'The Orange Collective' - an initiative started by POC and Reilly cycles in the last year. Basically, we are a group of about 70 volunteer riders who join in with events like this and help out anyone who may have run into trouble. With my local knowledge of the trails, I was able to help direct any riders who needed to abandon the event along short-cut escape routes - a bit like they have for exhausted shoppers in an IKEA superstore! Insta: @orangecollective.cc
Rebel Riders
VIVIENNE from Salisbury - Red Chilli GR1
Frameset: Red Chilli GR1. Custom made for me as Red Chilli sponsored my old race team.
Tyres: Continental Terra Trail 35mm (25 psi)
I have done a lot of road racing, but I got my gravel bike as I'm keen to start exploring more gravel events. I actually rode the recce ride route for the Stone Circle the year before it went live. On the recce with Hotchilli were riders from Endura, Sigma Sports and Marcel Kittel also joined us!
As the Stone Circle is on my doorstep I thought it would be good to try it out this year. It didn't disappoint!
I was super impressed with the set-up and the very well thought out feed stations! I really enjoyed it, and of course the weather was an added bonus. I met some lovely people and rode fantastic local tracks on The Rebel route. I'm keen to try the longer route next year.
Sam from Yeovil - Orro C
Frameset: Orro C
I used this Orro as my winter bike but now love gravel riding too... So I guess there's a new winter or new gravel bike incoming!
My friend Vivienne, who I rode with, invited me and I have trouble with the word 'no' when it comes to riding my bike. It was my first time at this event but not my first gravel ride - although you could be mistaken for thinking that! It is the best bike event I have ridden to date, due to the great routes, helpers, stall holders and of course - riders. (Thanks again to the kind man who got my chain back on for me.)
We were booked to ride The Bastard but for a number of reasons ended up doing The Rebel, so I must return and complete the mission. I can only see the Stone Circle getting bigger every year, as what is there not to like? It's a real festival atmosphere.
RYAN from Box, near Bath - Canyon Grail
Frameset: 2021 Canyon Grail CF SL7
Groupset: Shimano GRX
Wheelset: Hunt 40 Carbon Gravel Race
Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC 45mm (35psi)
Other: RYET 3D printed carbon saddle
This is 100% my best ever bike - I absolutely adore it. It's such a versatile machine, I even did my first triathlon on it using 34mm slick tyres. It's incredible to think it handled everything the Stone Circle threw at it too.
For this event I used a top tube bag as well as a saddle bag for my spares and tools. I also used a TT-style rear seat bottle cage holder to carry two extra 1 litre bottles with my carb powder and electrolyte mixture already inside - this saved my having to wear a backpack.
I'm originally from South Africa but have lived in the UK for over 20 years. I suffer from arthritis and last year had full hip replacement. I have always wanted to do this ride so as soon as I knew I would be recovered in time I signed up! This was not my first gravel event, but without doubt it's my new favourite. Camping for the whole weekend was a game changer - it turned it into a proper event.
I will definitely be back, and with a few more friends in tow.
RUSSELL from London - GT Grade
Frameset: GT Grade
Groupset: Shimano GRX 1x crank (38t) with 11-46 MTB Cassette - spin to win!
Wheelset: Zipp 303 firecrest with Campy disc rotors (as they are pretty and don't warp under heat like Shimano ones)
Tyres: WTB Nanos 40mm (30/35psi) with Orange seal (no punctures on the day)
Others: Seatpost - Canyon S14 VCLS 2.0 CF; Stem - Redshift suspension
I rode the 220km route alone in 2023 and drove home straight after. I wanted to ride the event again and stay longer to enjoy the atmosphere in the Festival Fort which I had missed out on previously. So I got a few friends to join me this time. Some of them chose The Bastard, but I chose the 130km route as I remembered the pain and horror from last time!
The one friend I rode The Rebel route with bailed out after 50km so I ended up riding alone yet again! But the atmosphere at the end still made it worthwhile. The sun came out and we cheered those rolling over the line whilst drinking beer. Having a group of us was good fun and bumping into lots of other people we knew made it even better.
I've ridden other gravel events, including the Dirty Reiver, but the atmosphere at the Stone Circle is more festival-like and much more enjoyable! I'm already on the early bird waiting list for next year's event!
SIMON from Rochester - Specialized Crux Comp
Frameset: 2022 Specialized Crux Comp
Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR; 10-44 SRAM Force cassette
Wheelset: Roval Terra CL
Tyres: Vittoria Terrano Dry TL 38mm (39/44psi)
When I saw a Specialized commercial with Pete Sagan riding a Diverge during the pandemic, I fell in love with the idea of cycling. I bought a cheap bike and started exploring local backroads. Then the gravel version of the Crux was released and I fell in love again.
I bought this frame on eBay - the Adidas stripes did it for me - and upgraded the components. I use it as an all road bike - on and off road. It's such a versatile bike - I would recommend it to anyone. And I do!
This year I thought "How hard is another 30 miles on top of last time around?" Famous last words of course ... It was an enjoyable and memorable experience and I would recommend this event to anyone. You get to see Stonehenge up close and the amazing Wiltshire landscape and towns.
The atmosphere and the festival vibes make this a great event to do at least once. Just bring your A-Game for the hilly terrain!
LAURA & JACK from Oxford - Stayer Tandem
Frameset: Custom made Stayer with S&S couplers and mix-and-match paint
Groupset: SRAM Rival 22 shifters, modified to use with a GEBLA Rohbox for drop bar Rohloff shifting. Hope RX4+ brakes (with custom brake hose extension) and 220/200 rotors do a decent job of stopping us!
Wheelset: Velocity Blunt 650b 36h rims with SON dynamo front hub and Rohloff rear. These were handbuilt by Jack at a Ryan Builds Wheels workshop.
Tyres: Panaracer GravelKing SK TL 650b x 48mm with Orange Seal
Others: Thudbuster seatpost for Laura (to take the sting out of unannounced potholes); Shimano 105 shifters on Laura's bars. These are entirely functional but don't actually do anything, except act as some small consolation when she's trying to brake!
This is our fourth, and hopefully 'forever', tandem and has been a real labour of love. We wanted to upgrade to a custom tandem so we could both get a comfortable riding position, as most tandems are built for height mismatched couples! Sam at Stayer built the frame, but Jack completed the build.
The bags are a mix of Wizard Works and Tailfin to satisfy each of our personal preferences (Laura likes style, Jack likes practicality).
Matching bottle cages, some doughnut valve caps and 'Derek' our rubber duck bike light have been installed post event.
We would highly recommend anyone thinking about getting a tandem to go for it, they're super fun. You can chat away while you ride, there are no fights about anyone getting left behind on climbs and you inspire smiles everywhere you go!
We wanted to ride an event to give Jack a concrete deadline for building the bike, and chose the Stone Circle. We had a great time. This was largely because people love a tandem so we felt like celebrities - with people stopping us to ask questions and get pictures.
The ride itself was very tough. Handling a tandem on single-track was tricky to say the least. So it was a bold (possibly stupid) inaugural ride. No (big) arguments though which is always a win!
CHARLIE from Wallingford - Franken-Raleigh
Frameset: 1991 Dyna Tech Raleigh Encounter (⅛'' steerer modified to threadless)
Groupset: SRAM Force 1. Avid Shorty canti brakes; 40t Garbaruk chainring; Garbaruk 46t cassette; Crankset modified with 73mm spindle.
Wheelset: Mavic Crossmax SL
Tyres: Vittoria Barzo 2.1" (22/25psi)
Others: Bars - 3t Carbon Gravel; Seatpost - Mt Zoom; Saddle -Berk Lupina; Titanium bolts throughout.
She weighs 10kg on the dot!
This was my first gravel event. I had been ill two weeks before taking on The Rebel, and, to be honest, hated it at first - I'm not sure doing it on a 30 year old bike was the best plan! I still met lots of nice people and it was a proper wicked event overall. I will definitely be back to do it again.
JOE from Kingston - Fairlight Secan
Frameset: Fairlight Secan 2.5
Groupset: Shimano GRX drivetrain with some Ultegra sprinkled in.
Tyres: Continental Terra Speed TL 45mm (28psi) - Fantastic tyres! I've already ridden 'Seven Serpents' in Croatia on this set which was pretty gnarly, but they are showing only light wear.
It's a brilliant bike - my 5-days-a-week commuter; skidding round-the-park-with-the-kids bike; and multi-day bikepacker. The fork sticker is from my genius illustrator friend - Matt Blease. It's a half burnt match feeling a bit sorry for itself, who just needs a bit of time off to ride his bike. I bought this bike to do it all, but I liked it so much I bought a Fairlight Strael for smoother roads.
The Stone Circle was very well organised. The route was really in two parts: the highly marketable gravel half and then the really nice and flowy forest part, which nobody talks about but was actually the best bit. I liked it so much I split off from my buddies and just went at it solo - picking off as many other riders as possible on the way back to the finish at Old Sarum.
I'll definitely be back - it's an easy to reach location and a decent ride, even if it is a bit 'SW London blokey'!
ADAM from Buxton - North Road Grav-i-ti
Frameset: North Road Grav-i-ti - The Giro is is my favourite Grand Tour so as North Road offer a custom paint service on their Ti bikes I had to go for Giro pink. The Eagle on the forks is a very old and long running joke about me and Federico Bahamontes!
Groupset: SRAM Apex
Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato 45mm
I only got my gravel bike last year and thought to do it justice I should sign up for a few events - the Stone Circle last year was one of them. As usual, my ambition far out-stretched my ability and I signed up for the longest ride. It was incredibly tough, but friendship and comradery got me around it more or less in one piece. On balance, and after a bit of a break, I decided it was enjoyable so when this year's event was confirmed I signed up more or less straight away.
So that I could enjoy myself more, this year I chose the medium route. Tough in its own right, but not so tough that I wanted to lay down in a dark room after I'd finished. The route was still brilliant with some of the best gravel; some of the best riders and atmosphere; and an even better set-up at Old Sarum. The organisers knocked it out of the park!
TOM from Kingston Upon Thames - Cannondale Topstone
Frameset: Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2023
Groupset: SRAM Apex AXS
Essentially it's a plain black bike so my kids said it needed a distinctive look, so glow-in-the-dark leopard spots it is!
I'm a road cyclist who switched to gravel to avoid white-van-man and remind myself of the riding I loved when I was a kid growing up in Devon. Riding last year's Stone Circle in tractor-wheel-sized ruts convinced me to swap cleats for flats and spikes. I got round in one piece last summer but retrieved another rider out of a four-foot ditch after she'd toppled sideways off a track and through some brambles. I now enjoy the peace of mind on Five Tens.
What the Stone Circle camp lacks in hygiene and hot dinners, it makes up for in good company, stunning landscapes and iconic monuments - all at the perfect time of year for long rides. I convinced my wife Jenny to join too. She said the Jester was gruelling compared to last year's short route - it was an honest day's work for her Liv Devote.
The Rebel route had just the right mileage, variation of terrain and technical challenge for me. I only shifted from road to gravel 15 months ago and I feel I've got a lot to learn on gravel bike handling, particularly on uneven descents. It was great to spend a few kilometres among riders who knew what they were about - good humour, great captaincy and awareness of others. This year, hats off to the G!ro cafe and LeadOut guys. Less haste more speed!
My Near Naked Man kit is an ice-breaker. I did all my longest, toughest road cycling for the Male Cancer Awareness Campaign - including Essex to Galway twice and the Isle of Man TT routes. I'm grateful to MCAC's founder Patrick Cox for getting me back into adventure cycling after we randomly met through work.
Near Naked Man is still my best kit for the British summer - this skinsuit was designed with Rob Hayles. I admire MCAC's truly eye-catching campaigns and just wanted to carry on doing my bit. Yes, better cancer outcomes is about advancing medical technology but the first step is getting blokes to check for lumps and bumps and not be too embarrassed to see their doctor. Maybe the kit starts that conversation every now and again. Check out www.embarrassedfilm.org.
Hard Bastards
GLENN from Sweet Sussex - Fifty-One Assassin
Frameset: Custom built Fifty-One Assassin
Groupset: SRAM Red controls. SRAM XX1 mech & cassette. Hope crank & brakes
Wheelset: AEIGHT WHEELWØRKS ULTIMÄTE HWEÓLS
Tyres: Front - Schwalbe G-One R Pro; Rear - Schwalbe RS Pro (28psi)
Other: Zipp Carbon finishing kit. S-Works Power Saddle.
My bike is a showcase of what I do at AEIGHT BIKE CO, where we build custom carbon bikes, handbuilt wheels, and bespoke steel frames, all in our Sweet Sussex Workshop!
I was one of three sweepers working on the long route. We head out four hours after the first riders have left and we close the course as we go. Basically, if you see us, you're out of the time limit, and the course is officially closed! Most riders we meet continue anyway, but they're on their own - but we make sure everyone has at least a gel, a drink, and a tube before we leave them. We always try and cheer them on, and most make it back before dark! To be fair we didn't catch too many this year.
My favourite bit was the first 85km where the long and medium routes overlapped. I caught up with a heap of mates along the way which made my day. We only had a few punctures to deal with and a couple of gear adjustments, so all in all it was a low stress spin!
I also helped with the very first original recce of the courses four years ago. The courses and organisation have come a long way in that time! I'm definitely coming back next year, and I already have a new frame idea in mind...
ROSS from Buckingham - 1816 L'Enfer du Nord
Frameset: 1816 L'Enfer du Nord
Groupset: Shimano GRX 825; Double chainset 48/31T, to allow for a more race ready bike - it can be tricky going to gravel events which typically have big circuits (Gralloch for example) and picking out the right chainring for a 1x system.
Wheelset: Parcours FKT
Tyres: Front - Pirelli Cinturato RC 47mm (for a little bit of grip entering corners. Salisbury can have drifts in places - particularly if you get off the line); Rear - Cinturato Gravel H 47mm - for a bit more speed
1816 Cycles are produced by a small team of bike lovers in Hertfordshire. The whole build was special as I got to watch and assist the entire process. The 1816 team finished off my bike with a Kapz Custom stem cap which added a personal touch to what is already a limited-run bike.
I entered the event after speaking to the people at 1816 bikes - I hadn't heard of it previously. I was also keen to do something other than racing and soak up the festival atmosphere with like-minded people.
I loved watching the fancy dress hill climb. Lots of smiles on peoples faces which is at odds with what you see at hill climbs normally.
Friday night, we stayed in a self-pitched tent. Whilst we had a good 20 minutes of earwig removal I'm sure we brought some back with us... but 'Give nature a home' right?
At 0430 on Saturday morning I toed the start line for The Bastard - again everyone seemed very chipper for that time of day. The trails were well plotted to keep it interesting, and it felt like you could ride forever in the Salisbury area and still be on high class gravel. At the feed stations the volunteers couldn't do enough for you.
I loved the playful ethos of the whole event. Being in the first wave of finishers I had to spend some time in the stocks - luckily no sponges were thrown!
Having come from a background of XC mountain biking, doing endurance events such as Mountain Mayhem, Red Bull 24hr and having moved to road and gravel, I think the Stone Circle event is entirely unique. I don't know of anything else that even touches it for all-inclusive, festival vibe bike riding.
PETER from Brighton - FARA F/Gravel
Frame: Fara F/Gravel
Groupset: SRAM Apex eTap
Wheelset: Fulcrum Racing 4 DB
Tyres: Panaracer GravelKing SK TLR 45mm (45psi)
It's a lovely bike, very light and ideal for The Bastard at the Stone Circle. They're designed in Oslo for the tough Norwegian conditions, and can be configured pretty much however you like. Cards on the table - I do some work for FARA, so I may be a bit biased, but I genuinely love these bikes!
The aptly named Bastard route was always going to be my preferred goal. Mostly because I just love the word 'bastard'. I'm a massive fan of swearing... If there was a bike called 'The Bastard', I'd own it. If there was a supermarket called 'Bastard', I'd shop there. I realise the name 'Bastard' has great historical integrity in the context of the ancient location we were riding, but fuck it, I just like saying 'Bastard'.
According to science, the health benefits of swearing include increased circulation, elevated endorphins, and an overall sense of calm, control, and well-being. And it's true, because I copied that verbatim from Google! I'm a bit confused now because those health benefits are exactly why I ride my bike. I'm now wondering what makes me feel better - is it the swearing or the riding? Maybe I didn't have to ride through all those 220km of pain to feel great? Maybe I could have just stayed in the tent when the alarm went off at 4am and just yelled out obscenities to the universe for a few hours. Then I could've driven home to my ordinary life with the warm glow of knowing that I'm a little closer to self actualisation.
Riding bikes and philosophy are often intermingled for me. I mean this literally, as I will often listen to mind-expanding podcasts when churning out the miles in the saddle. But not on The Bastard... the challenges of the course were too big a distraction! I mean bombing down grassy singletrack in a tight chaingang, flicking up dust in groups on the broad gravel roads, fast rocky descents, slowly sweating up rutted ridges, thundering tanks, medieval towers, looking at 2 gazillion year old Stonehenge for crying out loud - all that required maximum concentration!
And I've only just scratched the surface of what The Bastard had to offer! You can add smooth and windy forest trails, village churches, bridges over brooks, gorgeous grassy fields to the mix. All this punctuated by four feed stops, expertly timed and generously stocked.
I think The Bastard took me a good 12 hours to complete all in all and I can honestly say I loved every moment of it. From the thrill of setting out early, not knowing if I could make the distance, to popping a victorious wheelie over the finish line.
The Bastard was legitimately ace, and I swear I'll be back for more next year.
The Stone Circle is set to return in midsummer 2026. Find out more and register interest at www.stonecircle.cc.
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