In this episode of the Dirty Reiver Diaries we chat to Maddy Nutt from the Ribble Collective. Maddy shares her experiences of the event and gives us a window into gravel riding and racing from her travels around the world.

Maddy’s thoughts on the gravel scene and how the sport is developing for women is very insightful. Packed full of strategies and anecdotes from the trails this is one podcast not to be missed!

We also take a look at our next event – Gravel Rocks and find out what this new event format is all about.

In the final run in to the 2024 Panaracer Dirty Reiver we chat about pre-event preparations, give some insights into what is available on course and what rider should be carrying.

We also chat to Stu Bowers who heads up SRAM's North Europe Partnerships. Stu has been in the bike industry for many years and has worn a number of hats both as a rider and as an employee. Regular top finisher across a number of cycling disciplines Stu is well placed to pass on some great tips on how to keep yourself rolling on those long gravel roads.

In this episode we hop across the Atlantic to talk to Wahoo Ambassador Ian Boswell, ex World Tour Rider and 2021 winner of Unbound Gravel. We chat about US gravel events, what it takes to win and get some great insights into Ian's event prep.

We also reflect on our recce of this years route and the trails as well as start to outline some of the things to look forward to at this years event in Kielder.

If anyone would like more information or have questions for Ian his Instagram Account is: https://www.instagram.com/ian_boswell/

Jeff Zell 'The Global Go to Guy' for all things Panaracer takes time out of a busy tenth anniversary tyre launch to speak to us.

We reflect on how tyres have developed to cope with the wide range of terrain that gravel bikes encounter and pick Jeff's brains on how it all started.

The episode also looks at various factors effecting tyres and how they feel - pressure, volume, tread, weight - as well as the new and exciting developments from Panaracer for 2024. We also introduce the all new Gravel King X1 - possibly the ultimate Dirty Reiver tyre?

In this episode we chat to Amy Hudson a relative 'newbie' to gravel riding. The Dirty Reiver will be her first gravel event and we look at the things she is looking forward to and what tips she has for us.

We also look a little at the history of the event, as the first of its kind in the UK, and hint at what is coming up from the Focal Events team.

To find out more about Amy Hudson head to her YouTube chanel here.

For more about the Dirty Reiver go direct to the website here.