The Dirt Dashes, bikepacking and gravel events, are organised by Markus Stitz of Dirt Dash Ltd. He is a filmmaker, journalist and founder of Bikepacking Scotland and the Edinburgh Dawn Patrol. Moreover, Markus has cycled around the world on a singlespeed bike and has mapped a number of popular bikepacking trails in Scotland, England and Germany.
Markus has a great track record in ultra cycling and loves sharing his experiences to encourage more people into cycling. Addtionally, he has finished the Highland Trail 550 three times, the Capital Trail twice, the Atlas Mountain Race on a singlespeed, the Silk Road Mountain Race and most recently Mother North.
Furthermore, he has also documented GBDURO by bike and train and most recently cycled cargo bikes from Edinburgh to Erfurt for Christmas and through Norway in winter.
Moreover Markus is the author of Big Rides, Great British Gravel Rides, Bikepacking Scotland, Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire, Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and Gravel Rides Edinburgh, Fife & The Lothians.
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Dirt Dash Bikepacking and Gravel Events Reviews
Incredible, amazing, awesome 🙌
This was my First time trying a gravel and doing an event. I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming and supportive experience. Absolutely Loved the routes they were just the right amount of distance, challenge, scenery and fun. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and I can’t recommend enough of your thinking of trying gravel riding. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next one.
Great fun meeting people and riding with my son and others.
Had a fantastic time exploring the Yorkshire Coast and Moors on the recent Dirt Dash event. Ok it was windy at times but that just added to the challenge on a couple of short but steep climbs. Really enjoying some fast gravel tracks in the forest and on the moors. There was lots of time to chat to lovely people on the ride and at dinner. This route was no problem for my son aged 13, so if you have some cycling experience and are looking for a parent and child bikepacking challenge this could be the route for you.
Great rides
These rides are great fun. Always look forward to them.
An introduction to bikepacking doesn’t get better than this
This was my first loaded bike experience and I am pretty new to gravel biking. Outstanding organisation. Outstanding people. Outstanding route. Personally, many ups and downs but came away with invaluable experience, and finished with more riding skill than I arrived with. From start to finish a very satisfying experience with a special thanks to Anne for putting up with me.
Great first-timer experience
I signed up for the Yorkshire dirtdash on my own. I was a bit nervous that it would be overly competitive. Instead, people were extremely welcoming and supportive. Everyone cheered each other on to the finish, great folks to ride with!
Amazing events and love the books
I took part in the first Dunoon Dirt Dash in 2019 and have been hooked ever since, such great events and love the community that Marcus has created which is why I keep coming back year after year and the books are a lovely bonus and opens you up to places you wouldnt think of riding.
Cateran Dirt Dash 26
A brilliant way to experience some of everything you might expect in an off road cycling adventure. Newbie or oldie this is one good way to spend a weekend.
Lots of highlights from the route and scenery, lots of support from both riders and Markus and Louise. What’s not to like?
Cateran dirt dash – year 2
Tougher than the previous year with some interesting additions including a forest track that took us through a desolate landscape, and some proper Scottish bog! And a few climbs of course. Brilliant training for some of the sub-Arctic races I do. Loved it. Just sorry I can’t do the other 2 events in the series.
Dirt Dashing for the first time!
Cateran Dirt Dash May 4-5th 2024: thank you Marcus and team! What an amazing experience, the route was definitely challenging enough and varied, such a welcoming crowd. The pizza and set up at Gulabin Lodge was fab, campfires and beautiful setting. On the first day my friend required some assistance and Marcus was on hand to help very quickly. It was my first Dirt Dash and I’m sure it won’t be the last…maybe Dunoon next!
Cateran dirt dash
What a superb event the Cateran dirt dash was. The event was really well organised. The route was challenging but fantastic. You never know whats round the next bend or over the next summit. I have already booked for the Dunoon event. What more can I say!
Our Events in the Media
For all media requests email markus {at) dirtdash (dot) cc. Check the individual event pages for more information – Cateran Dirt Dash, Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash and Dunoon Dirt Dash.
Cateran Dirt Dash
Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash
Dunoon Dirt Dash
Sponsorship
Our events are perfect to showcase your products and engage with our audience. If you would like to support the 2026 Dirt Dash events, find out more in your sponsorship proposal (PDF, 2MB).