Gundy : Gravel Fondo

Two loops on offer
Sunday 22 September 2024

Gundy is one of the glorious small towns in the Upper Hunter Shire

The region is a slice of paradise with goodnessgravel in all directions

Bring your gravel or e-Gravel ... or ... if you don't have a gravel bike, do the loop on your MTB or e-MTB 

Sunday 22 September 2024 : 7:30am

135km with 2,700m

OR

75km with 1,640m

Bookings close 36 hours before the event

Bookings for T-Shirts Close 3 weeks before the event

Welcome to the 2024 goodnessgravel Gundy Gravel Fondo event which will be held on Sunday 22 September 2024.

We thank you for your support as without you, these events would not be possible.

We must also thank those who are volunteering on the day and over the weekend. There have been many fantastic individuals and local clubs who offered support and helpful hands. You may not see them all on the day but there are literally dozens out there who will be helping make the day.

The last thank you must go to those who have committed to be the event sponsors, Shimano GRX and Upper Hunter Shire are the Major Sponsors and Shimano Shoes, Apidura Bags, Heaps Normal, Bombtrack, Panaracer, Lazer and SMOOVE Lube being Silver. 

Ah the memories: 

The first edition was in 2021 (Event Photos), second was in 2022 (Event Photos) and third was in 2023 (Event Photos).

We cannot for 2024 to once again show off this beautiful area.

In 2024 we will once again be offering a Social Pedal on the Saturday to explore more of the glorious Gundy Area

See Event Info for More Details

We would like to acknowledge the traditional  owners of the lands in the Gundy and Upper Hunter area the Geaweagal people. (Wikipedia)

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Why Gundy? 

As mentioned in the About Us Section, COVID has a lot to answer for. 

Due to not being able to travel OS for our tours, we contacted various NSW Rural Councils to see about visiting their regions to consult on their cycle tourism opportunities. 

Just what is in our very own Australian backyard. 

We found more gold in the Upper Hunter Valley. This region, just three hours North of Sydney, has fantastic roads and we cannot wait to share more goodnessgravel with you. 

The Upper Hunter Valley includes towns such as Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa, Cassilis, Murrurundi, Ellerston and of course Gundy.

We cannot wait to see you in 2024.

Now for a little write up on the two courses:

Gravel Fondo : 135km with 2,700m of ascent 

Note : riding this course at 18kph will take you 7:30 - without stopping - this distance is NOT for the faint hearted

What a loop, it has a bit of everything. Riders will head out from the Gundy Recreation Grounds - 242m above sea-level (ASL) and head North. For the first 8km riders will be riding along a lovely stretch of country tarmac before crossing the Isis River and soon after, goodnessgravel awaits. 

Riders are on a 'gentle' climb as you cycle through some magical farm and horse properties.  At 13km riders at the top of the first 'hill' - 369m ASL - then continue to climb all the way up to the 26km mark. Here riders will be 523m ASL and enjoy some superb views of the Upper Hunter Valley.

At 29km riders will take a left and head West and across the Isis River (water crossing imminent). There is some climing to up through Green Creek and then it is time for a drink and some nutrition at Rest Stop #1 @ 42km, located at a Local RFS. Here you will find music, a place to fill your water bottles and grab your drop bag (if you sent it ahead to this Rest Stop). You can also grab a banana and some nutrition. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you. 

From the Rest Stop #1, riders will continue on tarmac and make a left and then right, as you make your way towards the major climb of the day. Once you turn onto this next section you enter one of the most amazing stretches of gravel road you are ever likely to experience. To begin, look up high up on both sides and you will see that you are surrounded by a grass tree 'forest', it is something that amazes us each time we pass through this section. There must be 100's of them waving in the wind. They must also be +600 years old! Marvel in their beauty as you meander along this stretch of gravel. You will not see this scenery anywhere else in our Country. 

Then comes a true 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 the 'Pass'.  Some people say, it is 'only' the first 2km which is steep but we will let you work out what you classify as steep. Once you crest the top take CARE as you head down a very steep gravel section.

Riders then head in a general rolling and winding direction for the next 57km. Yes, there are a few rises but all you have to do is look at the profile below to get a better understanding of these great kilometres. You will be riding through another beautiful valley in the Upper Hunter Valley. You will also be meandering beside Pages Creek, the good(ness) news is that the flow is headed in the same direction as you, enjoy it for serenity and say g'day to the cows and horses.  

At 86km, during that descent, you will arrive into the tiny town of Ellerston where there will be Rest Stop #2 - 516 ASL. Here there will be another place to fill your water bottles, grab a banana and some nutrition. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you. 

Rest up, refuel and then enjoy the next section as the gravel fades to tarmac at ~99km. It is not all down hill back into Gundy, there is a segment called Belltrees Nundle Rd Climb, more info below, which will test those tired legs and before you know it 135km will be done and you be right back to where you started from that morning. 

Our strong recommendation is that you keep on pedalling throughout the day. Work on ensuring you return to Gundy in the shortest possible time. Therefore stopping at the Rest Stop(s) should be limited and your training program, particularly for the 135km riders, is set no less than 18kph. 

Registered riders will be emailed the Strava and Ride With GPS link including GPX file the week of the event

Book Now 

As this area is not a major city or massively travelled region, most of the course is not Strava-segmented but that does not mean it is void of logged sectors. Here are four from the 135km ride:

Some people will say this is the first place to really test the legs, 'goodnessgravel Gundy leg tester' https://www.strava.com/segments/27584758?filter=overall : Stats Distance 2.54km / Avg Grade 6.3% / Low Elev 366m / High Elev 527m / Elev Diff 161m / Current KOM to be claimed and QOM to be claimed.

The BIG climb of the day, not long after Rest Stop #1 is 'goodnessgravel Gundy Will We Walk?' https://www.strava.com/segments/27584339 : Stats Distance 7.85km / Avg Grade 5.9% / Low Elev 487m / High Elev 958m / Elev Diff 471m / Current KOM to be claimed and QOM to be claimed.

Immediately after Rest Stop #2 is 'A view of Ellerston' https://www.strava.com/segments/21229571 : Stats Distance 0.83km / Avg Grade 6.5% / Low Elev 532m / High Elev 587m / Elev Diff 54m / Current Current KOM 0.48 and QOM 5:07.

Just before riders get back to Gundy there is 'Belltrees Nundle Rd Climb' https://www.strava.com/segments/1166413 : Stats Distance 1.84km / Avg Grade 6.5% / Low Elev 326m / High Elev 447m / Elev Diff 120m / Current KOM 5:05 and QOM 7:45.

Join our Strava Club for the Gravel Fondo 135km

Gravel Fondo : 75km with 1,640m of ascent 

For those coming along for the ‘shorter’ course, they will still experience plenty of fine riding as you pedal through the Upper Hunter Valley. Please do not forget that number of 1,655m of ascent, take your time and settle in to enjoy this course.

After all the 135km riders have departed from Gundy, it is now time for the 75km riders to leave the Recreation Grounds. Riders start at 242m above sea-level (ASL) and head North. For the first 8km riders will be riding along a lovely stretch of country tarmac before crossing the Isis River and soon after, goodnessgravel awaits. 

Riders are on a 'gentle' climb as you cycle through some magical farm and horse properties.  At 13km riders at the top of the first 'hill' - 369m ASL - then continue to climb all the way up to the 26km mark. Here riders will be 523m ASL (a high point along your course, which you will pass twice during your ride) and enjoy some superb views of the Upper Hunter Valley.

At 29km riders will take a left and head West and across the Isis River (water crossing imminent). There is some climing to up through Green Creek and then it is time for a drink and some nutrition at Rest Stop #1 @ 42km, located at a Local RFS. Here you will find music, a place to fill your water bottles and grab your drop bag (if you sent it ahead to this Rest Stop). You can also grab a banana and some nutrition. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you.

From Rest Stop #1, riders will continue on tarmac and then at 43km TURN RIGHT, going a different way to the 135km riders. Riders are now on Waverly Road. Soon you will be riding past a classic Local Community Hall, they have their very own tennis court, you can come back for a game another time. Soon after passing Timor, riders are back on the same gravel road you headed out on earlier that morning.

It is not all down hill for the final +30km back into Gundy. There is still the climb up to the 52km point on the course, riders will be back at 523m ASL and from there, riders can enjoy a more downward descending ride.  Of course everyone's opinion of a hill is different, check out how those last kilometres look on the profile below and before you know it you will be right back to where you started from way back around 7:45am that morning. 

Registered riders will be emailed the Strava and Ride With GPS link including GPX file the week of the event

Book Now

As mentioned above, this area is not a major city or massively travelled region, most of the course is not Strava-segmented but that does not mean it is void of logged sectors. Here are two from the 75km ride:

Some people will say this is the first place to really test the legs, 'goodnessgravel Gundy leg tester' https://www.strava.com/segments/27584758?filter=overall : Stats Distance 2.54km / Avg Grade 6.3% / Low Elev 366m / High Elev 527m / Elev Diff 161m / Current KOM to be claimed and QOM to be claimed.

Soon after the Rest Stop riders will turn left and be on the 'Timor Road Climb' https://www.strava.com/segments/6119497 : Stats Distance 1.92km / Avg Grade 653% / Low Elev 426m / High Elev 549m / Elev Diff 124m / Current KOM 5:00 and QOM 7:37.

Join our Strava Club for the Gravel Fondo 75km

Post Ride 

Riders receive a complimentary sausage sling (vegan option available) and cold drink - cooked by Gundy Tennis Club at the Gundy Common 

Please remember to ride responsibly, this is a ride not a race. Always ride within your limits and respect the road rules. Say “hello” to other riders while out on course and let them know you are passing by saying “rider right” – it makes a huge difference. 

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we ride. We pay respect to Elders past, present and aspiring. You are riding on the Country of the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land in the Upper Hunter Shire.

Two Wheel Tours
Sponsors : Shimano GRX & Upper Hunter Council
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