British Gravel Champion Ruth Astle on Her Journey in Gravel
Red On Sports has proudly hosted the British Gravel Championships for the past four years, crowning four elite female champions. Women in sports always deserve celebration, and these four athletes have reached the pinnacle of gravel racing in the UK.
In honour of International Women’s Day 2025, we interviewed each of our past champions, asking them the same set of questions to uncover their motivations, challenges, and inspirations. Kicking off this special series, we spoke with our inaugural British Gravel Champion, Ruth Astle, who claimed the title in 2021.
Why Gravel? Ruth’s Journey into the Sport
Ruth, what drew you to gravel cycling? What keeps you going through the tough moments?
“I started a bit of gravel cycling during Covid time when I just wanted to be able to explore a bit more on the bike and enjoy being off the roads. I loved the fact it suited me because it was less technical (usually!) than mountain biking but could still take you to some equally amazing places. I continue to ride gravel as it has the perfect balance—fast enough to feel like you are going somewhere but with enough variety in the terrain to keep it interesting.”
Celebrating Achievements: Ruth’s Proudest Moment
We often don’t take enough time to celebrate ourselves. What’s your proudest cycling moment?
“I have many proud moments in cycling, but probably one of the best was last year’s race at The Gralloch. I started conservatively after nearly having a massive crash going off too hard the year before, so I knew my whole day was going to be chasing having let the front group go. I just enjoyed riding on my own, enjoying the beautiful scenery and kept pushing at my effort whilst slowly reeling people in.”
Keeping Girls in Sport: Advice from Ruth
Teenage years can be a very pivotal time for young athletes. A recent study found that over two-thirds of teenage girls quit sports altogether by the time they are 16 or 17.
Ruth, how did you navigate this challenging time, and what advice do you have for teenage girls thinking about quitting?
“I was probably one of the girls who was pretty close to quitting. I hated my body as a teenager, was obsessed with my massive calves and chunky thighs. I would have done anything to swap legs with the majority of my friends. It was only in the last few years that I felt comfortable in my body and appreciated what it could do rather than judge it on how it looked.
The thing that kept me going through school and university was my team mates. I played hockey throughout this time and the camaraderie and enjoyment I got out of spending time with my friends was worth it for me. So my advice would be to find either a sport you love or a group of friends you love hanging out with and stick at it.”
Inspiring Female Athletes: Who Motivates Ruth?
Who is your biggest female athlete inspiration?
“There are so many amazing female athletes to look up to and be inspired by. From a cycling perspective one of my heroes is Annemiek van Vleuten - I loved watching her race, how she would go for the attack and was just so good across the board.
One of the great things about cycling though is the variety of role models - whether it be women who have got into cycling later in life, who have come back post having children, or who have just battled through various personal challenges to make it - there is someone for everyone to look up to.”
Final Thoughts
Ruth Astle’s journey reflects the essence of gravel cycling—pushing limits, embracing challenges, and finding joy in both competition and adventure. Her story highlights the importance of perseverance, self-acceptance, and the power of a supportive community in sport. From overcoming self-doubt as a teenager to celebrating her proudest moments on the bike, Ruth’s experiences offer valuable lessons for women and girls looking to stay in sport.
Stay tuned throughout the week as we hear from more British Gravel Champions, each with their own unique take on what it means to race, ride, and inspire the current and next generation of cyclists.
