Gravel & Flannel Festival
Three days of gravel, flannel, fireside stories and a few questionable costumes. Gravel & Flannel returned for 2026 with a simple idea at its heart: riding is better when it’s shared. As presenting partner, Pedla joined the Gravel Cartel for the weekend, creating the festival’s custom kit and supporting a celebration built around bikes, people and the stories that connect them.
Gravel Cartel’s Kent Beasley takes us inside the weekend.
“It’s about more than the kilometres, it’s about the people, the places, and the stories you share along the way.”
More Than Another Riding Event
Gravel & Flannel was born from a love of everything that makes gravel riding special. It’s about more than the kilometres, it’s about the people, the places and the stories you share along the way.
We wanted to create more than just another riding event. Our vision was for a multi-day festival where riders could experience great gravel roads,
then come together afterwards over great food, share a drink and a few stories around a fire while taking in some live music.
We wanted everyone to leave having made new friends, lasting memories and the feeling that they couldn’t wait to come back.
FRIDAY FUN RIDE / COSTUMES / RETRO / FLANNEL
The Ride That Set the Weekend Off
There were so many great moments over the three days of the Festival, but the Friday Fun Ride, a new addition for 2026, was a real highlight.
Riders got dressed up in all sorts of costumes, retro gear or flannel,
showing their support for our Major Charity Partner, Farm Angels. It really did set the tone and vibe for what was to follow. Everyone was in a festive mood, which they carried throughout the three days.
“That’s what makes Gravel & Flannel special, the connections people make that turn it into something much bigger than a ride.”
You’d Think They’d Known Each Other for Years
The gravel community is incredibly diverse and, most importantly, welcoming of everyone, and that was evident all weekend.
We saw it on the bike, with experienced gravel racers sharing the road with those new to it, passing on tips and simply chatting along the way.
At the Festival venue, groups sat around the fires for hours enjoying a
meal, a drink and sharing stories from their day. It would have been easy to think they had all known each other for a long time, but in reality, many had only just met.
That’s what makes Gravel & Flannel special, the connections people make that turn it into something much bigger than a ride.
“Don’t worry about whether you’re ‘good enough’, just come and be part of it.”
Come and Be Part of It
Don’t worry about whether you’re “good enough”, just come and be part of it.
Whether it’s your first gravel event or your fiftieth, you’ll find challenging and rewarding riding, a welcoming community and a weekend you’ll remember long after you’ve headed home.
Come for the Gravel. Stay for the People. Enjoy the Party.
You’ll head home with some great stories, new friends and the feeling that you’ve found your people.
