Rider Report: goodnessgravel Gundy 135km ride

What a loop, the organisers, goodnessgravel, have ensured there is a bit of everything from sweeping country roads to a challenging 965m climb all through dreamy countryside. I lined up at 7.30am, having already made a visit to the event’s mechanic who certainly gave me peace of mind at the start line. I couldn’t wait to get rolling.

A New Route

I’d not ridden in this area before, so the excitement was real and the cool temperature was perfect for the start. The first 8kms is a gentle climb as you cycle by some magical farm and horse properties. At 13km we were at the top of the first ‘hill’ at 369m ASL. The first of 10 water crossings was at 32km and the Isis River wet my wheels but I kept my socks dry. At 42km after some hilly sections it was time for a drink and some nutrition at Rest Stop #1. It was great to listen to a local musician while I filled my bottles and decided what to eat : banana, SIS gel, SIS bar, snakes or Tim Tam?!

After the rest stop and a few lefts and rights, I was prepared for the major climb of the day. Turning into this particular section, you enter one of the most amazing stretches of gravel road I have ever experienced. Look up high on both sides and you will see that you are surrounded by a grass tree ‘forest’. There must be 1000’s of them waving in the wind and I was later educated that these are +600 years old! You will not see this scenery anywhere else in Australia.

Plenty of goodnessGravel at Gundy

I now came to the aptly named WWW (Will We Walk) climb!? There are quite a few +10% sections as you wind your way up to 61km and 958m ASL to go over Sergeants Pass. Some people say, it is ‘only’ the first 2km of the 5km ascent which is steep but it was all worth it to see the breathtaking views from the top.

The next 57km include a fast descent and plenty of rolling and winding champagne gravel which follows the meandering Pages Creek. Interestingly there are no fences in this section, just cattle grids which means you get up close with impressively sized cows casually observing your progress (watch out for their fresh deposits when you ride through this section).

At 86km, after a calm descent, you pass by superbly maintained polo fields near the tiny town of Ellerston, the second rest stop was waiting for me … yet another chance to fill your water bottles, grab a banana, some nutrition and more Tim Tams! From there it’s back to Gundy to the event village for a free BBQ, drinks, including non-alcoholic Heaps Normal and music performed by a local artist.

More goodnessGravel Events

The riding was epic, the scenery sublime and the event very professionally managed by the goodnessgravel team. The 2023 events beckon and I will be a starter for Gundy again on 15 October as well as Glen Innes on 15 April and Mogo on 17 June.