The Grand Ridge Grand Slam – Reflections by Vince Masci

The Grand Ridge Grand Slam 500 / 250 is an enthusiast driven un-supported cycling challenge through South Eastern Victoria taking in the famous Grand Ridge Rd, Great Southern Rail Trail and the scenic and often bumpy terrain that this lovely part of the world has to offer. 

I love the accessibility of gravel riding especially for new riders. It’s all the good stuff without most of the scary. In terms of accessibility, I find the gravel riding community to be less cliquey and more supportive than other disciplines. There are plenty of forums online for people to ask questions and no shortage of replies or people wanting to help. 

The Grand Ridge Grand Slam is no exception and such a good example of what the gravel community in Victoria has to offer.

In it’s second edition, inspired and created by avid gravel cyclist Arlen Kenny @arlenkenny1, the event has grown from around 8 riders to something in the 20s and of those riders around 25% women, which is something to celebrate. 

It highlights the inclusivity that a free, enthusiast driven bike packing or endurance type gravel event can create. 

Grand Ridge Grand Slam

For the nervous or first-time bikepacker, it offers a go at your own pace, choose your own adventure type ride and the ability to figure things out with the friendly guidance of fellow cyclists. 

This year there was a 250km option for riders looking to test the waters. For those wanting to delve into something even more challenging, the 500km option was the go – just like Kel @kels_gone_cycling who wiped a staggering 22hrs off her time from the year prior. 

Some riders chose to flashpack in motels or to pack their bikes with sleeping gear and camp, while some of us opted to forgo sleep and ride through the night. Otherwise known as type 2 fun. 

Whatever your discipline however, Arlen has managed to scout a challenge that offers some of the best gravel roads in Victoria and put on a nonchalant event that offered an extremely rewarding experience to all of those involved. 

Links

It’s events like the Grand Ridge Grand Slam and the upcoming Winter Solstice 300 by fellow Grand Slam rider Matty Seeheusen @matt_seehusen that we should all get behind and celebrate the fact that we can hold these free and inclusive events and encourage first time riders with a safe space to adventure and explore. 

Grand Ridge Grand Slam Facebook Page

Winter Solstice 300 Facebook Page

Vince’s Setup for the 500km Grand Ridge Grand Slam Ride

For those curious on my setup for the overnight ride: 

Hunt Landcruiser Ti Frame 

*love this frame, plenty of space for bags, bottles and the kitchen sink – indestructible and light 

Revelate Frame Bag and Feed bag 

*love these bags, indestructible and don’t swell or sag

SRAM GX Eagle 40T Front, 10-50T Rear 

*battery just lasted the 500km course (I did carry spares) 

*sometimes feel like I’m cheating with this mountain bike groupset because it gets me up every hill without the need to burn my legs allowing me to ride all day (and night) 

K-Lite Dynamo 

*love this lighting system, lights up the road like a spotlight, don’t need to worry about charging it up as it runs off your legs, comes with a rear light as well and the onboard charger allows to me to charge my phone and Garmin etc. on the go 

Tyres

*Pirelli Cinturato 650b 45mm width 

*would have liked more grip, especially for the later washed out sections and not as fast as something thinner but I thought it was a good balance for this type of riding

55cm Walmer Bars 

*Not as aero as I’d like for some of the quicker sections but provide good balance for some of the rougher and washy sections. 

Water 

*I carried two 700ml bottles which wasn’t enough, I needed bigger bottles or one more. I ran out of water on a few occasions and found myself conducting stealth missions in the night into people’s front yards to raid their taps 

Nutrition 

*I actually got this pretty right. I carried 12 baked Sis bars (got through 9), about 5 packs of Clif Blok Gels (ate them all), 2 sticks of salami and a pack of bega stringers, I also stopped in Yarram and Leongatha for a couple of rolls which I stacked my pockets up with so I could eat as I went along.

*This got me through a ride time of just over 25hrs with only about 1hr of stopping time. 

* I always plan a big breakfast before the ride, start eating really early on in the ride, taking down mostly bars and a few solids. As the ride progresses, I wait until I start to crave sugar and then get started on the gels and try to load up on solids when I pass through a town. 

Kit

*I packed extremely light as we got lucky with the weather as it was quite warm. I wore my comfiest bib shorts and a merino jersey with merino base layer. I packed an extra shake dry jacket for the night time and a spare pair of merino undies as riding over those distances will encourage chafing which certainly was the case and involved a midnight strip somewhere between Leongatha and Warragul.

Note: photo from the Hunt 1000 as Vince forgot to take a photo of his Grand Ridge Grand Slam setup – he definitely didn’t carry a sleeping bag on the GRGS.