The MorayRaid Routes.
MORAYRAID — THE JOURNEY SO FAR
What started as a vision — and us begging Windswept to let us take over their Taproom for a gravel bash — has grown into one of the favourite days of the year.
We started with a few bikes, a bunch of mates and an idea has grown into something far bigger than we imagined. Every year brings fresh new routes, new faces, questionable weather, mechanicals, plenty of laughs and, of course, a few beers at the finish.
This page is a collection of the MorayRaid’s that have gone before — the routes, the stories and a little bit of the history of the event.
Fancy riding an old MorayRaid?
We've made the GPX files available so you can load up an old route and go and explore it for yourself. Just remember — these are historical routes, so check the current access, conditions and route before setting off. Trails, land access and surfaces can change.
If you do use a route please tag us or share your experiences!
The OG !
MorayRaid’21
The one that started it all.
Our first MorayRaid took riders across a mix of gravel roads, estate tracks, forestry and some of Moray's best off-road riding.
The idea was never to create a race. It was about putting together a big adventure, giving people a route worth riding and finishing the day with good food, a beer and plenty of stories.
And that's pretty much exactly what happened.
Then some quick facts:
📅 Date: 25th September 2021
📍 Start/Finish: East Beach Carpark / Windswept Taproom
🛣️ Routes: long and short
🍕 Finish: Pizza & Beer
👥 Riders: 90
🌧️ Weather: Heat Wave!
Back By popualr demand.
MorayRaid’22
A carbon copy of our first MorayRaid with a little fine tuning. This years edition took riders south into the Spey Valley with a mix of gravel roads, estate tracks, forestry trails and again some of Moray's best off-road riding.
Then some quick facts:
📅 Date: 24th September 2022
📍 Start/Finish: East Beach Carpark / Windswept Taproom
🛣️ Routes: long and short
🍕 Finish: Pizza & Beer
👥 Riders: 120
🌧️ Weather: Perfect late summer conditions.
The Now Annual.
MorayRaid’23
2023 saw the MorayRaid start and finish at Windswept Taproom for the first time, while keeping the format tight and similar to the previous years.
This edition saw riders heading east along the Moray Coastal Trail, with the long route going as far as Cullen before heading south past Keith, taking in the Fishwives Trail towards Dufftown. From there, the long route cut back to join the short route over One Tree Hill.
Post-ride beers, pasta party and live music greeted the finishers back at the Taproom, rounding off another great day of gravel, adventure and good vibes.
Then some quick facts:
📅 Date: 23rd September 2022
📍 Start/Finish: Windswept Taproom
🛣️ Routes: long and short
🍕 Finish: Pasta Party & Beer
👥 Riders: 130
🌧️ Weather: Dry, Calm and Mild
Bigger Than Ever.
MorayRaid’24
2024 saw the MorayRaid start and finish at Marine Park, Lossiemouth for the first time, after Windswept sadly went into administration.
This edition saw riders heading west along the Moray Coastal Trail, with the long route going as far as Culben forest before heading up the Dava Way and cutting across the moorland towards Rothes Wind Farm. From there, the route cut back to join the short route over One Tree Hill.
Post-ride beers, pizza and good craic greeted the finishers back at the pavilion, rounding off another great day of gravel, adventure and good vibes. Record number of pizzas were consumed.
Then some quick facts:
📅 Date: 21st September 2024
📍 Start/Finish: Marine Park
🛣️ Routes: 2 long and short
🍕 Finish: Pizza & Beer
👥 Riders: 150
🌧️ Weather: Misty, damp, but improved as the day went on.
The 5th anniversary.
MorayRaid’25
2025 was set out to be a biggie, as it marked the 5th anniversary of the Raid, a certain 40th birthday and a new arrival to the MGC crew.
Again, with the start and finish at Marine Park, Spey Valley hosted the bar and Spruce & Stag dished up the excellent pizzas.
This edition saw the introduction of the XL Route as an anniversary celebration. All three routes headed south, with each route cutting back at different stages and taking in some remote gravel tracks and the usual mix of terrain that riders have come to expect from the Raid. The northerly wind certainly challenged a few riders on the grind back to base.
Post-ride beers, pizza and good craic greeted the finishers back at the pavilion. Birthday cake was cut, and the celebrations carried on into the small hours.
Then some quick facts:
📅 Date: 20st September 2025
📍 Start/Finish: Marine Park
🛣️ Routes: 3 routes XL, long and short
🍕 Finish: Pizza & Beer
👥 Riders: 150
🌧️ Weather: A brisk northerly wind, heavy showers with sunny spells.