STONE CIRCLE
A MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL
OF GRAVEL CYCLING
29 JUNE 2024
Race the summer solstice on this epic gravel adventure through history.
Join us at the English Heritage site of Old Sarum near the Medieval City of Salisbury for a weekend festival of gravel cycling. The Festival Fort is our event village, with hot food, cold beer, a live DJ and an on-site camping option… this is gravel done right!
AT A GLANCE
- Three awesome routes
- American-style hero gravel on M.O.D. land
- See Stonehenge and King Alfred’s Tower
- Festival Fort with cold beer and hot food
- After party with DJ
- Camping option on-site with showers!
- Mechanical support and bike wash
- Friday night hill climb & Sunday hangover ride (optional)
Price from
£55
220KM
Monumental
155KM
Historic
55KM
Festival
Mechanic support
4
Feed zones*
1
Days in saddle
Subject to confirmation. *Monumental Route.
220KM
Monumental
155KM
Historic
55KM
Festival
Mechanic support
4
Feed zones*
1
Days in saddle
Subject to confirmation. *Monumental route.
SPEAK TO OUR TEAM
If you have any questions or just need some advice why not book a call with one of our team members.
OFFICIAL HUUB STONE CIRCLE EVENT JERSEY
Featuring a bright amber colourway, chosen to represent the midsummer staging of the ride, and a navy blue trim to match our Hotchillee x HUUB gilet, you’ll look the part from the misty morning start to the finish line party in the HUUB Stone Circle Official Event Jersey. The Hotchillee ‘H’ motif sits subtly on the back and of course, with Stonehenge silhouetted across the rear pockets, you’ll have a memento to commemorate this year’s epic ride through history.
route
80% gravel.
Leaving at dawn as the sun rises, you’ll be riding in the tracks of the ancients as you head towards Salisbury Plain and past Stonehenge. Expect to see Druids as you pass this ancient monument during the solstice week. You’ll then be on tracks specially licensed by the Army that you wouldn’t otherwise be allowed to ride, before hitting the iconic fast rolling gravel of the Imber Range perimeter path. Here if you can get into a good group, you can get your head down and tick off some significant early kilometres to the first feedzone.
The feel of the ride then changes after Warminster as you leave the wide open plains and enter the ancient woodland of Longleat Forest. Expect some singletrack, punchy climbs and beautiful forestry. This section takes you to King Alfred’s Tower at 100km where you’ll find the second feedzone.
At around 110km you’ve then got some respite from the gravel with 25km of quiet country lanes that take you deep into Dorset and the Blackmore Vale. A disused railway line gets you back off the tarmac but will give your legs a break from the continuous undulations.
Make the most of these easy kilometres as, heading into the final 50km, you’ve got some significant climbing to do as it’s up onto the chalk of the West Wiltshire Downs with panoramic views where you can feel the history of the area.
You’ll descend off the Downs and make your way back to Old Sarum as dusk draws near for a well earned beer and a slice of pizza or ten!
GPX files will be shared with riders ahead of the event.
80% gravel.
The new 155km route follows the same route as the 220km route until King Alfred’s Tower but then heads due east up onto a series of ancient drivers roads and Roman ridgeways before dropping you back into Old Sarum. You may be riding fewer kilometres but with 2000m of climbing, this is a tough day out.
GPX files will be shared with riders ahead of the event.
70% gravel.
New for 2024 this option is for newbies to gravel, or those more interested in the after party. Like the other two routes expect a special day out with stunning scenery, riding next to Stonehenge and taking in some of the iconic US style gravel, before heading back to Old Sarum and making the most of the event HQ.
GPX files will be shared with riders ahead of the event.
ITINERARY
16:00 – Festival Fort open
Join us at the spectacular English Heritage site of Old Sarum, Castle Road, Salisbury SP1 3SD for a Pre-Ride Festival.
Our supporting partners will join us, showcasing their latest products and chatting about all things gravel. Pick up some last minute supplies and enjoy refreshments from the food and drink stands, so even if you’re not riding, you can come along and join the fun.
16:00 – Sign on
All riders will need to collect their rider number/chip and feed station drop bags (if required). The car park and campsite is also open from 16:00.
17:30 to 18:00 – Rider welcome
18:00 to 19:30 – Hill climb event
Entry and fancy dress optional! More details to follow.
21:00 – Festival Fort closed
03:30 – Car park open
04:00 – Coffee and breakfast available
04:00 to 06:00 – Feed station bag drop open
05:00 to 05:30 – Last minute sign on
Please try your best to make it along on Friday for stress-free sign on. For those who can’t make it, we’ve got a short window for last minute sign-on on Saturday morning.
05:00 to 10:00 – Start line open
Riders will be informed of their start times in advance.
12:00 – Finishers Festival open
Welcome home with hot food, cold beer and a live DJ.
18:00-22:00 Finishers Party
Unwind, recover and enjoy your achievement with music from DJ Lisame, prizes and games.
21:00 Finish line closes
08:00 – Hangover ride (TBC)
A little leg stretcher to help your muscles recover from the big effort on Saturday.
10:00 – Vacate campsite
It’s time for Old Sarum to go back to its day-job as an English Heritage site, and we all get to go home and count the days until Stone Circle 2025.
CAMPING
Immerse yourself fully by staying overnight in our on-site camping field. Located just a few hundred meters from the main arena you’ll be able to soak up the festival vibes just a short walk away.
Access from 4pm on Friday. Price includes Friday and Saturday (2 nights). Prices listed are per tent or van, so if you’re sharing with a friend only one of you needs to book this option.
Facilities include loos, showers and water. Campsite needs to be vacated by 10am on Sunday morning.
SELF PITCH (2 PERSON TENT): £50 per tent
CAMPER VAN: £60 per van (includes car parking ticket)
PRE-PITCHED BELL TENT (2 PERSON): £150 per tent (includes 2 x camp beds, no bedding)
PRE-PITCHED BELL TENT (4 PERSON): £200 per tent (includes 4 x camp beds, no bedding)
ENTRY
Hotchillee Premium Members; get a £10 discount on your Stone Circle event entry. If you are not a Premium Member, join the gang!
MONUMENTAL ROUTE – 220km
£105
HISTORIC ROUTE – 155km
£95
FESTIVAL ROUTE – 55km
£55
- Optional Friday evening Hill Climb, with prizes for best (and worst) fancy dress as well as whoever actually comes first!
- Accurate GPX files with signage at critical points
- Timing chip
- Feed stations (Monumental Route x 4, Historic Route x 3, Festival Route x 1)
- Rider food bag drop (Monumental and Historic routes only)
- Mechanical and technical support
- Full medical team back up
- Finishers beer
- DJ and finishers party
- Bike wash area
- Sponsor products
- Sunday Hangover Ride
- Limited edition event merchandise
- Event jersey
- Hot food and drink at the Festival Fort
- Breakfast
- Camping upgrade
- Car parking
WANT FREE ENTRY TO STONE CIRCLE 2024?
SIGN UP FOR LONDON-PARIS GRAVEL 2024
THREE-DAY OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE WITH A DIFFERENCE
19-22 SEPTEMBER 2024
For a limited time only, we’re offering a free entry to Stone Circle to everyone who enters Hotchillee’s LONDON-PARIS Gravel Adventure 2024.
This is a fully supported ride from the Thames to the Seine finishing in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower… almost entirely off-road!
- New route by Sofiane Sehili.
- Guided by the Hotchillee Ride Captains.
- Stay in 3* and 4* hotels.
- Return by Eurostar.
2023 STONE CIRCLE REPORT
The inaugural Stone Circle was a roaring success. On the Friday evening, we enjoyed DJ vibes and free pizza and beer at the Festival Fort, with specular views across the Salisbury Plain.
Then, starting at sunrise on Saturday, there was a mystical sensation as riders rolled out to tackle the 138km Monumental or the Epic 215km route. The challenge … to race the solstice sun and finish before night falls.
It was a spiritual experience to pass the iconic landmark of Stonehenge with the sun still rising, as Druids paid worship at the ancient Stone Circle.
Fast-rolling gravel paths awaited on the Imber Range Perimeter Path. With the feel of iconic US gravel races, this land is usually restricted access to MOD personnel only, but they make an exception for us on this truly unique ride through history.
There was a variety of terrain over the gruelling course. As well as the distraction of the stunning views and Neolithic landmarks, with plenty of opportunities to stick it in the big ring, many riders found a fast rolling group to make the kilometres fly by.
There were cold beers and soft drinks on arrival at the finish line and the party atmosphere continued into the evening with an undeniable sense of achievement for everyone who tackled the first ever Stone Circle.
2023 finishers list.
Let's prepare together
From the point you register chat directly with fellow participants, the Hotchillee team, and industry experts on dedicated event groups on the Hotchillee companion app.
MEDIA
Are you a content creator, journalist, photographer or videographer? We’re always keen to welcome new people. If you’d like to join us please complete the below and we’ll get back to you.
FAQS
The event HQ is at Old Sarum near Salisbury, one of the most historically important sites in southern England. It combines a royal castle and cathedral within an Iron Age fortification, overlooking the vast and beautiful Wiltshire plains.
Old Sarum, Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SD.
The events takes place from/to Old Sarum, Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SD.
There are direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, which usually takes around 1h 40m but can take just 1h 20m on the fastest services, with around 36 trains running on this popular route every day.
From Salisbury train station it is a 2.3 mile bike ride or by car 2.1 miles.
For those driving parking is available and costs £10 for the weekend.
- Optional Friday evening Hill Climb, with prizes for best fancy dress (oh, and who comes first)
- Accurate GPX files with signage at critical points
- Timing chip
- Feed stations (Monumental Route x 4, Historic Route x 3, Festival Route x 1)
- Rider food bag drop (Monumental and Historic Routes only)
- Mechanical and technical support
- Full medical team back up
- Finishers beer
- DJ and finishers party
- Bike wash area
- Sponsor products
- Sunday Hangover ride
Not included, but available:
- Limited edition event merchandise
- Event jersey
- Hot food and drink at the Festival Fort
- Breakfast
- Camping upgrade
- Car parking
The route is not marked except for critical and/or complicated turnings. A GPX file will be provided and must be uploaded to your navigation device before the event.
The start line is open between 05:00 – 10:00. Riders will be advised of their start time pre-event.
The event is not a race but will be timed, and finishing times listed. There will be various prizes awarded at the finishers party on Saturday night including the Hill Climb winners, best and worst fancy dress, fluff up of the day and more.
You must be 18 years or older on 19 June 2024 to enter.
The course is long and a very good level of fitness and endurance will be required.
If you are in doubt as to your fitness then we recommend you have a medical check-up before registering.
The route covers a wide variety of terrain including fast rolling gravel, woodland singletrack, field-side bridleways, disused railway tracks and road so the sheer versatility of a dedicated gravel bike running 38mm + tyres would be our recommendation.
However a lightweight hardtail MTB with fast rolling tyres or Cyclocross bike would also be suitable.
E-bikes are welcome on the 55km Festival Route.
You will need to be self-sufficient for large sections of the ride and each rider will need to carry spares and tools necessary to deal with punctures and mechanicals.
We will have dedicated technical support and mechanics at the Start and each Feed Station to deal with more technical issues.
There maybe a charge for some parts and labour.
Yes there are 4 x feed stations for the 220km course, 3 for the 155km course and 1 x feed station for the 55km course.
A food drop option is also available for the Monumental and Historic Routes. A clear bag is supplied at Sign On and can then be filled with any nutrition you require, the bag should then be dropped at the start point and it will be transferred to feed station 2.
If you aren’t driving to the event and need somewhere to keep bags whilst you are out on the course, we will have a secure location at the start you can use. However any items must be clearly labelled and are left at your own risk.
The event HQ is at Old Sarum near Salisbury, one of the most historically important sites in southern England. It combines a royal castle and cathedral within an Iron Age fortification, overlooking the vast and beautiful Wiltshire plains.
Salisbury is a busy and bustling City with many hotels and B&Bs to choose from.
There will be onsite camping available to purchase for £50 per tent (Friday – Sunday: 2 nights). Showers, loos and running water will be available.
There is car parking at Old Sarum from 16:00 Friday to 10:00 Sunday which costs £10 for the weekend. Multi-entry is permitted.
If for any reason you need to cancel your entry there are several options available:
- You are able to nominate a substitute rider for your entry (up to 30 days before the event start date).
- You may defer your entry as a credit towards another HotChillee event in the same or following calendar year (up to 12 weeks before the event start date).
- Entries are non-refundable.
To substitute or defer your entry, please contact [email protected]
Yes! Would love involvement from fellow gravel lovers. If you are interested in getting involved please email us at [email protected]
SPEAK TO OUR TEAM
If you have any questions or just need some advice why not book a call with one of our team members.
SPONSORS
PRESENTING PARTNERS
FESTIVAL FORT PARTNERS
