Rider Info Dukes Weekender 2023: Participant notes, schedule & what to expect.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you all to Dukes Weekender very soon! Here is all you need to know for a weekend of good times and the finest gravel, it’s shaping up to be a fab weekend!
2023 Dukes Weekender Participant Notes
Event HQ
The event HQ and the event village will be located in the centre of Aberfoyle where we will have both registration and the start and finish of events.
Riverside Car Park, Main Street, Aberfoyle. FK8 3UQ. - https://goo.gl/maps/keAgY36cwkkLVyZA9
It is appreciated that all riders arrive in good time, register promptly and listen to the announcements made at registration as well as at the race briefing.
Parking
We have parking for our entrants in a field adjacent to the Event Village. Access will be via the Manse Road Bridge just past the event village and will be well signposted from the village. Please use this car park rather than the main Council Car Park as we have closed part of the Council Car Park for our event village. We would like to keep as much of the rest of it free for other members of the public.
There will also be parking up at the David Marshall Lodge near the Hill Climb Route. This is a Pay & Display car park.
Practice
There will be no official practice for the event.
Hill Climb
In the week leading up to the event, and after all entries for Dukes events are closed we will release start times for the hill climb. Riders will be allocated a start window rather than a specific time, please turn up to the start ready to race within that window. It is important that all riders attend their start times promptly. If you miss your start time we cannot guarantee you will get a re-run.
Once you have completed the hill climb you have the choice of 2 options:
Option 1 – Return back to the village via our ‘return route’ which will be marked. To return to Race HQ from the finish, riders will have to descend the Dukes Pass road if they elect not to join the party on the hill climb. We therefore request that all riders remain mindful of the other road users.
Option 2 - The best option - You can head back down the hill to enjoy the atmosphere and festivities and cheer on other competitors. HOWEVER - If you choose option 2 then please WALK your bike back down the hill and give way and lots of space to riders competing.
riders racing the full weekend do not need to return their timing chip. Hill climb only participants please do so after finishing the event.
All riders are required to wear a helmet at all times while completing the event and when returning to the race village.
Please ensure your bike and brakes are in good working order!
Sunday Gravel Enduro Route
All participants should be aware that the event takes place in an open working forest and public roads.
The full gravel event is approximately 75km, mostly off-road and hilly. Please make sure your bike has appropriate off-road tyres, two working brakes and is in a good state of repair. This year has singletrack once again so we’d recommend tyres on the chunkier side!
You must wear a helmet. We also encourage carrying as a minimum; a spare tube, a means of changing it, a multi tool and a waterproof. Some short sections of the route will be on open public roads so we also recommend a rear light.
We would strongly encourage those looking to take a sedate pace or slower riders to select an earlier start time when signing on. In order to ensure we get everyone back safe within an appropriate time we will be closing stages at set times later in the day, so the earlier you go the more time you have!
Route link: Dukes Weekender 2023 | Komoot
STAGE DESCRIPTIONS
HOLLYWOOD GRAVEL (STAGE 1)
Length:3km
Elevation: +17/73
We’ll let the stage name do the talking! Buttery smooth, fast and trending down. Get yer tuck on and eat up this fast rolling gravel. Perfect opener for the remainder of the day!
GREEN GATE (STAGE 2)
Length: 3.2km
Elevation: +52m/-108m
Get the legs burning and the body ‘aero’ for this belter stage! A wee climb followed by our local riders favourite descent - swoopy, fun, flowy and fast! Guaranteed grins, this one is a blast!
LOCH CHON (STAGE 3)
Length: 3.8km
Elevation: +51m/-53m
Here you’ll find beautiful views of Loch Chon, Gaidhlig for Loch of the Dogs. But look out for the bark (!) - This stage traverses an active logging area so the ride might be bumpy - Woof! Woof!
GLEN ARKLET (STAGE 4)
Length: 2.7km
Elevation: +57m/-29m
This stage through Glen Arklet is singletrack gravel heaven, though it may not feel like heaven when you hit the steep ramp at the end...don’t say we didn’t warn you! Twisty, a little tight, gorgeous views across Loch Arklet and beyond, you’re in for a total treat but keep those brake levers covered, the corners come out of nowhere and will have you up tae high doh come the kicker!
STATUTE LABOUR ROAD (STAGE 5)
Length: 3.3km
Elevation: +50/–60m
A Dukes classic! This trail just makes you work hard. It is just so much fun to open the tanks, you can’t help yourself. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that this one drops more than it climbs, but you might be doubting this at the finish line. A flowy high speed blast gently descends through swoopy forest trails for a few km. There is a real chance to push hard here, but save a little bit. This one has a sting in the tail as the finish line comes overlooking a viewpoint to the west of Loch Ard, having climbed up a 500m long stretch of trail between 4% and 6%. Worth having some strength left for!
GARBEG HILL (STAGE 6)
Length: 1.8km
Elevation: +34m/-46m
This final stage is the last opportunity for riders to rinse the last bit of juice from their legs and lungs. You’ll need a range of gears - The climb isn’t steep but it’s long enough to feel it at the end of the day. Don’t worry, we’ve included the descent of Garbeg Hill in this stage for you too as a reward for the final push of the day before you roll back to the finish line in the event village to enjoy our local refreshments and compare times with your pals.
As above, stages will have the following closing times:
Stage 1: 11.45am
Stage 2: 1pm
Stage 3: 1.45pm
Stage 4: 2.15pm
Stage 5: 3pm
Stage 6: 4.30pm
Transitions between stages
The course utilises a mixture of forestry roads, established single track and a short section of open road for transitions. The course will all head south and west of Aberfoyle, with the majority of the route traversing a vast area of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Riders will head towards High Corrie, Loch Chon, Loch Arklet Inversnaid, and then back towards the village alongside Loch Ard.
All transitions are designed not only for your safety, but also to comply with the requirements of landowners. As such, all riders must follow the signed transitions. Failure to follow the transitions will result in disqualification.
Rider Safety
The event is fully marshalled and will have a route sweeper. We have medical cover being provided by Trossachs Search and Rescue. However, the route ventures into remote and wild country. We request that if you see another rider in difficulty please stop to help. It is advised that you carry a mobile phone. Please save this number before setting off to call in case of difficulty: 07447 948208. Rider safety is paramount.
E-Bikes
You are responsible for transporting yourself to safety should you run out of juice in a remote area - please make sure you have sufficient charge for a long day.
Children’s Mini Enduro
This event and stages are also on shared trails. The stages will be marshalled at either end and members of the public should be aware that there is a bike race on. However, please make sure your child is aware that there may be people on route as well as spectators and they should pass with due care and attention.
All children must have a parent or guardian accompanying them with a maximum 3 children: 1 adult ratio. In the case that your child is faster than you, we ask that they wait and re-group with their parent or guardian at the end of the stage before moving onto the transition.
Event Village
Aside from the events, we’ll have a busy event village with a pump track with kids demo bikes, Shimano Mechanics, Forth Environment Link, RSPB, Trossachs Search and Rescue and their dogs, trade stands from some fab brands such as Cervelo, Santacruz, Komoot, Genesis Bikes, Reserve Wheels, WTB and many more.
Weekend Schedule
Registration and Timing Card collection is from 8am on Saturday. At registration you will have to confirm your emergency contact number – please have this with you and sign the statement of responsibility. Make sure you have read the terms and conditions of the event and the race rules all of which are available on the DukesWeekender.com website.
Race briefings
For the Hill Climb event, riders will be arriving over a wide time period so will therefore be briefed of any changes to the race as necessary at sign on. Please sign on no later than 30 minutes before your start time.
For both the Gravel and Children’s event we will hold a race briefing at the start line before you leave the race village, when we will let you know of any changes etc. Please attend 20 minutes before your start time to collect your timing chip and arrive 10 minutes before departure for briefing.
Race start and start times:
HILL CLIMB – Start times posted shortly. The event will run from 2pm to 6pm Sat 9th.
GRAVEL ENDURO – Rider waves 8:00 am – 11am Sunday 10th Sept. Riders will select an allocated time slot at sign on and leave in waves of up to 45 riders every 15 minutes.
Start times for the Gravel Enduro are allocated on a first-come, first to choose basis with the exception of seeded riders. Getting to registration early will give you the most choice in start times.
If you want to race the course with your pals, please make sure you all register at the same time (and early), that way you should all be given similar start times.
Please note that we expect the ride to take approximately 4 hours for the fastest but up to 6 for the less experienced. We would therefore encourage those riders who want a more leisurely day to start earlier to ensure they get back to the Event Village in time for podiums.
CHILDREN’S MINI ENDURO:
Starting at 10am on Saturday 9th Sept, riders will leave in 5 minute waves of 10 riders until 11am. Start times will also allocated on a first come first served basis.
Schedule:
Fri
6pm – Event Campsite open
Sat
8am – 5pm Event Registration open
9am – Dukes Weekender Event Village opens
10am – Dukes Weekender Children’s Gravel Enduro start waves
12.30pm - Children’s Mini Enduro Podium
12.40pm – 10km women led Baggy T-Shirt ride-out with Komoot and Bike Trossachs CC. Perfect for supporters, partner, parent or anyone who fancies a wee spin out.
2-4pm – Dukes Weekender Gravel Hillclimb
6pm – Hill Climb podium back in the event village
Sun
7am – Event Registration opens
9.30am – Event Registration Closes
8am – First rider away for Dukes Weekender Gravel Enduro presented by Cervelo
8:00 -11am rider waves
5pm – End of race
5pm – Dukes Weekender Podiums
6pm – Dukes Weekender Event Close
Podiums
· Riders who do not attend their podium will have their prize allocated at random.
· All results will be posted on the event website ASAP after the event.
Timing Chip / Card
GRAVEL ENDURO – Riders will be given a timing chip which they must use throughout the race. This will be synced with our timing equipment at sign on and will automatically clock you in and out of all stages as you pass through the beam.
CHILDRENS MINI ENDURO – as per adult race.
PLEASE HAND YOUR TIMING CHIP IN AT THE END TO GET YOUR TIMES.
Please Note
The timing card will record all your stage start and finish times. Any rider who has not passed a start or finish beam will be assumed not to have completed the course.
A fine of £30 will be applied if you do not return your card/ chip– and you won't get your times!
A sweeper will go round the course at the end.
If you retire for any reason you must inform an event official ASAP or call 07447948208 or 07810 273455. We will be looking for you if you have ‘gone missing’!
FOOD AND WATER
All riders are responsible to supply adequate food and water for the duration of the route. We’re going way out west this year and the route does not pass through the village.The Pier Café is conveniently located just after stage 4 and is a great wee place to stop off for some sustenance. This year the return to the village is only on completion, butr here you will find Komoot on hand with locally baked goodies from Maggies kitchen .The Stirling pizza van also awaits your return to the village with some fresh woodfired delights.
Scottish Water has a fountain located in the car park at sign on which is free to use.
Food and Refreshments: Aberfoyle is blessed with several fantastic local food options:
Please see: https://www.dukesweekender.com/dukes-latest/2019/8/23/aberfoyle-village
Accommodation / Camping
Our Camping is sold out but you may find space at Cobeland just down the cycle path.
Breakfasts
This year we have the lovely Venacher Lochside offering delicious breakfasts from the campsite - everyone is welcome to get porridge, coffee and a breakfast roll whether you are camping or just parking your car.
Litter
You will be riding in an area of outstanding natural beauty. There is no excuse to drop litter. All gel wrappers etc. must be brought back. Any riders found knowingly littering will be disqualified.
Locals
We have had some fantastic local support and encourage you to use the local businesses for food and refreshments. Please be respectful and do not block local access.
Cheers and here is to some dusty racing at the weekend!
All enquiries regarding this should be directed to info@dukesweekender.com
The Dukes Weekender is run by Bike Trossachs CIC. Insurance will be provided by Square Pegs Insurance via Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance.