The fourth annual Dorset Divide followed a stunning 330-mile mixed-terrain route around Dorset in southern England. In this special three-part event recap, we hear from event organizer Harry Whiles and two participants, Megan Barclay and Steven Moatt. Dig into their stories here…

Words by Harry Whiles, photos by Eddy Pearce and Paisley Banks

This year’s edition of the Dorset Divide was nothing short of spectacular. Riders, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters came together to make 2025 the best year yet for this unique grassroots ultra-distance cycling event. With record-breaking finishing times, a powerful sense of community, and unforgettable moments along Dorset’s breathtaking trails and coastlines, the Dorset Divide proved once again why it’s become one of the most loved events in the UK bikepacking scene.

A Ride Born from Love—for Dorset and for Each Other

The Dorset Divide wasn’t created to be just another ultra. It was envisioned as something deeper, something more meaningful: a way to explore the rugged beauty of Dorset while building a community that welcomes everyone, from experienced endurance riders to first-timers with a fire to push their limits. What began as a simple idea to connect people through the landscape has grown into a life-affirming journey that highlights the best of both nature and adventure.

The event was created four years ago by me. After falling in love with bikepacking myself in 2018, I had found my way into the scene of ultra racing. After a few races, I realised there was a gap in the calendar on the map, this gap was my home county, and after spending many months training there for SRMR and seeing the beautiful landscapes it offered, I decided it was time to piece together a trail! The idea of the event was always to keep a grassroots feeling from bikepacking, but then to create a welcoming space for any walk of life to come and dip their toe in. This idea was to hopefully help grow the ultra community in the right way, with riders having a safe and welcoming space to start their journey.

The Route

From the rolling chalk hills to the windswept Jurassic Coast, over to the more lands of the Purbecks, the route showcases every facet of Dorset’s terrain. This year’s route I found to be the best designed yet, and apart from a few small changes, it will now be staying the same for the next editions. This year, we welcomed manned checkpoints at the Square and Compass Pub in Worth Matraverrs CP1 and CP2 at Cerne Abbas brewery. The route’s design was not all just about the endless beauty of Dorset, though. This year, it was designed in a specific way, allowing three segments with each one becoming tougher with its own twists.

Section one first off heads east, taking in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, it then loops its way back inland to the endless gravel forests of Moors Valley. This section is fast-flowing with a slow build-up to what’s to come. Section two takes riders then in tough terrain, rolling hills, beautiful climbs, and endless farm tracks weaving their way around, making riders feel lost in the hills of north Dorset. After CP2 at the famous Carne Abbas Giant, riders face the toughest section before heading back to the finish. The hills get steep, the tracks get tough, but the scenery gets even more beautiful! The route was designed as a loop with these things in mind to allow riders to break the route down but also have a safe feeling to scratch if they feel that they have pushed to their limits or have an issue.

A Community Like No Other

This year, the bikepacking community showed up in full force. From the moment riders rolled off the start line, there was an electric energy in the air—an unspoken understanding that something special was unfolding for 2025.

Every rider this year was inspiring. Every single one brought their own story, their own reason for turning up, and their own courage to face the physical and mental challenge ahead. Whether chasing the front of the pack to push themselves to their limits or embracing the journey at a slower pace, the determination and mutual respect shared among participants were indisputable.

This year saw the return of many riders who were there to either retry at completing the course or try to beat their previous time. One name to mention from this is Steven Moatt, a name that is known-well amongst the ultra bikepacking scene. Steven, a local rider from Portland, where the event starts and finishes, was back for his fourth edition of the event. This year, he saw his fourth completion! Not only was it his knowledge and experience of the route that others loved to share with him, but also the welcoming personality that made him really stand out to other riders. We hope Steven will be back for many editions to come, as he has become an integral part of the Dorset Divide!

The Best Edition Yet—Fastest Finishing Times and Flawless Execution

This year’s event was the smoothest yet, thanks to months of behind-the-scenes preparation, diligent coordination, and tireless volunteer support throughout the event. The weather gods were on our side, the trails were in great condition, and the logistics clicked into place perfectly. The course seemed to flow better than ever—challenging, but fair. Punishing climbs were balanced by awe-inspiring descents, and the sense of reward at every milestone was tangible.

Perhaps most impressively, we saw the fastest finishing times in the event’s history. This was by Jack Childerstone, completing the route in just 27 hours and 42 minutes! Several riders pushed themselves to new personal bests, and the front-runners blazed through the course with astonishing focus and stamina, with our first female rider, Hatty Doherty, making it round the course in 39 hours and 8 minutes. But speed was never the main point. What mattered most was showing up, giving it your all, and discovering what you’re capable of—no matter how long it took!

Gratitude to Those Who Make it Happen

None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication and generosity of our volunteers, sponsors, and photographers. The volunteers were the heartbeat of the event—from the pre-dawn setup crews to the late-night finish line cheers. Your patience, warmth, and encouragement were felt every step of the way.

To our sponsors, thank you for believing in a grassroots event that prioritizes people over prestige. Your support helps us keep the Dorset Divide accessible, inclusive, and true to its roots. You’ve helped us build something that makes a difference.

And to our photographers—thank you for capturing not just the scenery but the soul of the event. Every tired smile, muddy grin, and windswept finish line moment was framed with care. Your work tells the story in a way words never could.

A Call to Women Riders—We Want to See More of You!

One thing we’re especially passionate about improving is women’s participation. While this year’s field was full of amazing female riders, we know we can—and must—do better. Ultra-distance cycling is for everyone, and we’re determined to make sure that message is heard loud and clear.

In 2026, we plan to introduce new initiatives to support and encourage more women to take on the Divide. From mentorship opportunities and pre-event ride meetups to online forums and technical workshops, we’re crafting a welcoming space where women can feel empowered, supported, and excited to join the starting line. If you’ve ever doubted whether you belong in this world, you do. And we can’t wait to ride with you.

Looking Ahead

As the final riders rolled across the finish line this year, sunburned and exhausted but beaming with pride, it became clear: the Dorset Divide isn’t just a bike ride. It’s a reflection of something much bigger—a desire for connection, challenge, and community in a world that often forgets to slow down and appreciate those things.

Whether you were out front pushing the pace, soaking up the views from the back of the pack, volunteering at a rest stop, or cheering someone on from home, you were part of something beautiful.

So, from the bottom of our hearts: thank you. And to those already dreaming of next year, we have one thing to say: Get ready—Dorset is calling.

My First Ultra

Words by Megan Joy Barclay

When I told people I was doing the Dorset Divide (as my first ultra), I was met with a few “I’ve heard that’s really hard” and “My friend tried to do that but didn’t finish.” It’s safe to say I was going in with low expectations of myself, but I was ready to be punched in the face by endless climbs and stunning views; the former was a mistake, but the latter turned out to be beautifully true.

I only have gravel events to compare to, but I can’t imagine a better first ultra than what Harry served up. The event HQ—and where we could leave our stuff while we rode—was a picturesque hilltop campsite that turned into a loving bikers’ commune over the four days. The tone was set with paella upon arrival, a chance to meet other riders, and a quick, witty briefing before everyone rolled into nervous beds.

The riding was my dream. The kind of balance of gravel, singletrack, and road that keeps me interested but sane, and you could feel Harry’s local knowledge and sense of humour come through the spicy trails and carefully connected off-road. The final 60 kilometres (with over 2,000 metres of elevation and more than enough red climbs) became mythical, and I was lucky enough to face this in the dark. It was the kind of section that made me wish for a road at the time but romanticise once I’d make it back to Whareham and the humdrum cycle path.

But the people truly made the event special, and I credit Harry for setting such a lighthearted, friendly, and encouraging tone that was reflected by every rider I met along the way. A finishers’ BBQ, seafront breakfast, and sauna/sea trip sealed the end of an event that was the right amount of challenging as hell and bloody good for the soul.

My Fourth Ultra

Words by Steven Moatt

The fourth edition of the Dorset Divide. As it’s on my doorstep, I enter every year, but this year, I am dealing with exercise-induced asthma, which is new to me, and I am not sure if I’ll get to the end. On route, we will take in some of the most iconic parts of Dorset. Plenty of trail, farm tracks, and country lanes.

From experience, you should not underestimate this ride. It’s a tough physical challenge that will test the strongest of riders. Few easy miles with lots of climbing condensed in the opening hours and the last third of the route. The climbs aren’t massive like you get on the Atlas or Silk Road, but they are steep and relentless. The grassy farm tracks will sap your energy and moral, and you will develop a personal relationship with gates! It’s advised not to wear your best cycling kit as the trails narrow sometimes to a close, and the brambles are aggressive.

My legs were tired from the start, and I was having to get a grip on breathing through my nose to help prevent the asthma symptoms. The forecast was good, but huge dark thunder clouds built to the east, where we were heading. Luckily, I only got caught in one heavy downpour.

Resupply is generally good, but if you choose to ride long into the night, you could get caught out. So, it’s good to have some plan for resupply and check closing times.

I passed through CP1 and made it to Shaftsbury as day gave way to night. Fortunately, this time of the year, the nights are short, which makes it more tempting to ride through with due care and attention. This allowed me to make CP2 at Cerne Abbas Cider brewery for breakfast. CP2 is a welcome milestone, and with that, your confidence grows. I had a bacon, sausage, egg, and hashbrown bap, got my brevet card stamped, and headed off, my tail wagging. My selective memory had forgotten about the relentless, steep climbs that were about to unfold. The heat of the day grew with every climb. At this point, my mantra is, “Everything Ends. Keep Moving. Keep Breathing,” and remember occasionally to look back and enjoy the views. The best of which appear like jewels as you start heading back east, climbing steeply out of Lyme Regis and battling the tight contours of Golden Cap.

A few hike-a-bike sections up steep grassy meadows, and you soon pass through the seaside town of West Bay. You are greeted by the smell of fish and chips and the promise of ice cream.

I’m on the home straight now, fuelled by pork pies and sugary Fanta drinks to waken those legs. I put all that I had left in the remaining 20 miles. Beautiful, quiet Dorset country lanes. Up one of the few remaining climbs and onto the Ridgeway, where you get rewarded by the best of all the views. This is the view above Abbotsbury, looking down over Chesil Beach towards Portland. For me, this view rivals any. The patchwork of farm fields alongside the most amazing stretch of coastline and the crisp horizon of the sea. An inspiration for any poet, artist, or cyclist.

From the Ridgeway, you head down into the hubbub of Weymouth, an awakening for your senses as you politely dodge pedestrians falling out of the pubs. At this point, I have ridden 340 miles in 38 hours, but there is still one more climb to go. Right at the end, it’s the steepest, straightest climb you’ll ever do. Or not do, as you can always get off and push. This time I chose to ride it. I made it halfway, but the rear wheel started spinning on slippy rocks, and I unashamedly just ran out of steam. So, a push to the top and I pedalled the last few hundred meters to the finish line, where each and every rider is warmly welcomed with a knowing hug and a beer.

Will I do it again? Most definitely. Would I recommend it to anyone else? Absolutely. To all those with a new diagnosis of asthma, I recommend breathing through your nose!

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