Does the idea of riding 915km (570 miles) across Italy on a route inspired by the Roman Empire sound like your idea of fun? Then we have just the event for you! EmpireLands 2024 offers riders the chance to either ride coast-to-coast or in a circuit right through the heart of the ancient Roman Empire. For one lucky Gravel Union member we're offering the chance to win a place at this year's event. To find out more about the event and how to enter, read on.....

Saturday May 4th will see the riders entered into the 2024 EmpireLands event roll away from the start line in Silvi, just north of Pescara on Italy's Adriatic coast. Depending which of the route variants they are riding, they will either finish back in Silvi after 900km and 13,000m of climbing or in Rome after 390km and 6,500m of climbing. Entrants into the "Rookie" event will be doing a circular tour of the region around Silvi and will arrive at the finish line with 75km and 1500m of climbing under their belts.

The event organisers certainly know how to sell it to their audience "Along the Empire Lands route, you will discover historical routes (such as the Via Appia and the Via Francigena), beautiful landscapes in remote mountain areas, historic villages, the breathtaking colours of the Costa dei Trabocchi, ancient cities with thousands of years of history and then…. Rome is Rome!"

The EmpireLands 2024 event is organised by the same team behind the road-based Race Across Italy which they've organised since 2013. They describe the EmpireLands event as the "wild side of the Race Across Italy" and say that the route offers "the right balance of dirt roads, paths, asphalt and some single tracks, but always thinking of riding it with a gravel bike, avoiding as much as possible the parts with too high a technical difficulty."

They go on to say "EmpireLands was born from the idea of bringing contrasts to life: road & off-road, sea & mountains, historic villages & cities, ancient & modern history… through 3 routes that will make you write a new unforgettable page in your history."

Competition Time!

We're offering one lucky Gravel Union Member the chance to ride in the 2024 EmpireLands event and you can choose which of the three distance options you would prefer to ride.

The competition is open to members only (so sign up here for free if you haven't done already).

Then all you need to do is click on this link. Entries are open from Monday 26th February to Monday 11th March and we will pull the name of the winner out of a hat at random.

The prize is free entrance into the event only - you will need to arrange your own transport and accommodation etc. There are no cash alternatives available.