Theres a point on the Big Dog route at the Lakeland Gravel Grinder where it all settles in and you realise exactly what kind of day youre in for. The early buzz fades, you find a rhythm, and it becomes about getting stuck into it, long climbs, fast descents, endless forest tracks, and the occasional view that makes you look up and take it all in before getting straight back to work. Its a properly epic big ride. The kind where the hours stack up, the terrain keeps changing, and you just keep rolling through it, one section at a time.It was also the first real outing for me on the Lakelander, and straight away it just felt easy, in the best possible way. Smooth over the rough stuff, responsive when you ask it to be, and almost annoyingly eager on the climbs. There were moments where it felt like it wanted to go quicker than I could, which was equal parts impressive and slightly frustrating. But thats kind of the point, it just gets on with it. No drama, no distractions, just a bike that lets you focus on the ride. By the end, legs completely spent, I had that solid feeling of having put a proper shift in and enjoyed every bit of it. - CathyThe week before the Lakeland Gravel Grinder I was really surprised to hear that there were 900+ participants over the various distances. When you consider the numbers attending road sportives would be nowhere near this it blew my mind a bit. Who knew there were that many cyclists who love a rattle around the gravel trails?!? After completing the event, which was our first official gravel event, I can now see why the numbers were so huge. It was epic!The event was simply fantastic. The organisation was seamless from Friday night when we turned up for registration, to Saturday morning when almost 1000 cyclists descended on a wee Community Centre on the outskirts of Belcoo, the whole way around the route and right to the finish line and the delicious burger and beer. We made a weekend of it and stayed at Rushin House Caravan Park which we would highly recommend. The facilities are great and its only a 2 minute cycle to registration and race start/finish. Im sure any non-cyclists on the site wondered why the place was coming down with bikes on Friday and Saturday and why everyone was walking like John Wayne on Sunday.We struck it lucky with the weather which was warm and sunny with very little wind. The dusty trails were a far cry from the muck and dirt we were expecting. Although, I must admit to being a wee tad disappointed that I crossed the finish line so clean!The route passed through some beautiful forests but the elevation on The Big Dog route was not for the faint hearted. The Navar Ending Climb had a wee sting in the tail but the amazing view from the Magho Viewpoint and the friendly volunteers up there were worth the climb. As for the last climb in Belmore Forest which we christened the Everest Climbwe managed to stay on our bikes and grind it out. This gives us some bragging rights over a couple of friends (who are much better cyclists than us) but they admitted to taking their bike for a wee walk up the hill. So good to bump into so many cycling chums from all over NI and Ireland but especially Lisburn Triathlon Club, Dromore CC and of course lots of Fustle Family enjoying the day. - GailMy first Lakeland Gravel Grinder! Epic day out on my Fustle. A great route; it had it all: tough climbs, speedy descents. Such a great atmosphere all day! I can't wait until the next one! - PaulAfter retrieving my trusty Fustle Causeway GR1 from the garden shed for the first time since the Five Forest Challenge in the autumn I was really looking forward to getting back in the saddle for a season opening spin.A quick tyre pump, and lights charged I was ready to rock.With my lack of bike fitness I knew the 32km night time werewolf was realistically the best option, and it was fantastic fun. Whilst I started optimistically my lack of fitness became apparent when most of the other 30 odd entrants disappeared into the distance, I could even occasionally hear the ominous rumble of the 'sweeper vehicle' closing in on the climbs, headlights blazing through the forest in front of me.It's somewhat menacing presence behind me definitely motivated me to keep going! Once the climbs were out of the way it was a thrill to hit 50kmph on the way back down to the finish where we all got a much welcome bowl of Irish stew and I realised the only person I finished ahead of had spent a good few extra km lost in the forest in the dark before the aforementioned sweeper vehicle came to the rescue ! Thank goodness I had a Garmin.As always these gravel adventure events we are blessed with on this Island prove to be great craic and the Fustle Causeway is the perfect tool for the job! - AndrewLakelander was my first proper gravel event since getting my Causeway last summer. True to its name, the Mongrel was a mix of everything; 60km of rugged gravel, steep climbs and fast descents. My causeway handled like a dream and didnt miss a beat (unlike my legs on the Belmore climb).Awesome sunny weather and stunning views made for a great day - we even got a wee beer at the end... whats not to love?! - RachelIf youre going to do the big dog, let it be at Party Pace. Me and my good friend Marcus Cromie (not Fustle Fam Famous, but bread Famous!)We took a staggering 7 hours to do the 100km big dog including breaks, punctures and stopping to take in the views. The weather was on our side, so we made the most of it (thats what I'm telling everyone anyway)I was fun to see the route reversed in places, but for those who know me, know I basically live up in those hills anyway. Marcus insisted that we did the big dog, only to change his mind at the last feed stop, so it felt only right that I insist we did the last mega climb of Belmore forest *which is only 15%I was a little gutted not to see Alastair Beckett down as its always fun watching him suffer up the steepest of hills. Maybe October hey! - DarrenThis was my third year taking part in Lakelander, and after previously doing the Mongrel and the Big Dog I thought I would take it a little easier this year and give the Little dog a go to tick off the trio! This was also the first year of the Werewolf night time ride the night before, and having being doing nighttime gravel rides through the winter I wanted to give this a go.The Werewolf was a lot of fun, and even after bit of a spill (my own fault, my confidence was greater than my skill) I had a great night. Little Dog was fantastic as well, and definitely less suffering than the Big Dog, but still managed to test the legs, and I was fading towards the end of the ride. I think the ride being in March this year meant my fitness wasnt quite where it would be compared to October.We were incredibly fortunate with the weather, it was a lovey day, and enjoyed riding dry dusty gravel trails, rather than the usual muddy gravel. - ConnorI took my new Fustle Lakelander out for its debut at the Lakelander Gravel Event & honestly I credit the bike itself maybe the amazing weather a little bit too! for the permanent smile fixed to my face throughout! It honestly felt like the perfect bike for the job! Straight away the bike felt dialled in for the terrain being thrown at it. The frame of this bike I feel strikes a perfect balance between comfort & stiffness so on the climbs responds well & doesnt beat you up on the rough stuff!It felt great on the descents & gave me the confidence to let it roll! The comfort in general over the distance was amazing! Even towards the end I felt good & that I actually really could have ventured on a little further! Overall, seriously impressed! It made me feel capable. - Gillian