Hello Riders and Friends……..we are writing to update you on the next Saddlers Mountain Bike Club Gravel & Granite event.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2022 & 2023 Gravel & Granite event (GNG), and to those of you who provided feedback!
From the overwhelmingly positive reviews, we are proud of what we have achieved in such a short time and trends of growth support this: in two short years we have grown from 500 to over 800 participants, with the addition of the kids ride.
As GnG is run entirely by club members and volunteers and because we hope to maintain the grass roots feel of our event as our core focus in the future, we feel that we need a year off to regroup and plan how we continue to work with the local community and our large contingent of volunteers.
We hear your feedback on the need for more gravel and this time off will allow us to plan new routes with less bitumen and more gravel.
Much is already happening towards this. Our community is enthusiastically embracing the opportunity of becoming a national cycling destination and we are all working together to deliver the following projects;
· Angry Bull Trails – Stage 1 including 120km of MTB trails in three unique locations all minutes from the centre of town including a Trail Centre to welcome visitors and provide riding info and services – Trails Opening early 2025! Learn more @ www.angrybulltrails.com
· Tenterfield Shire Council – Youth Precinct with pump track and skills park – Opening in July 2023! Learn more https://www.facebook.com/TenterfieldShireCouncil
So, in response to your feedback, our grass roots objectives and planning for bigger things in the future, we've made the difficult decision to postpone next year's GnG event.
Good news is that we'll be back in March 2025, with an epic new gravel route, Race Village and new mountain bike trails to explore.
Follow us for further Gravel & Granite event updates and we can't wait to see you in 2025!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/606273220064482
Thank you to all the participants and volunteers who came to Tenterfield and had a great day out. We couldn't hold this event without either of you.
Please check out the FREE events photos here:
https://rcpix.smugmug.com/Events/Gravel-n-Granite-4323-Tenterfield
The FREE photos from this weekend’s ride are now available to download!
Simply follow the link below, find the pics you’re after and hit the ‘Download’ button (ie: not the ‘Buy Now’ button).
Enter the password: “Tenterfield” … and you’re in business!
Short Course Entry Categories
START TIME: 8.30am
1st, 2nd, 3rd in all categories
Medium Course Entry Categories
START TIME - 8.00am
1st, 2nd, 3rd in all categories
Long Course Entry Categories
START TIME 7.30AM
1st, 2nd, 3rd in all categories
START TIME: 7.00AM -Ride 3km with group to start of event while all the older riders cheer them on as they ride off, complete loop in Curry's Gap and return as group with marshals to Showgrounds under the arch.
Youth Event - FREE ENTRY AND INSURANCE
Limited numbers - 40 places available Get in Quick
Gravel n Granite are holding a Youth event for 9-14 year olds. It will be a 3km fire trail loop in Curry's Gap Nature Reserve on the edge of town. This will be a participation event but all participants get a medal!!
Entrants will also get some awesome extras -
FREE Gravel n Granite trucker cap
FREE Gravel n Granite T-Shirt
FREE Youth event medal
Entries Open now!!
Please reach us at thesaddlersmtbclub@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
A gravel event is mixed surface, in these events for 2023 all events are on road, with a mix of sealed and non sealed roads. The short event -29km will likely be an mostly sealed route but for a few kilometers in the middles and a short section near the end.
The short route may be all sealed and therefore suitable for road bikes, but be aware that there are many several cattle grids to cross. For the medium and long routes a gravel bike, cyclo-cross, e-bike, mountain bike, tandem, adaptive. There are many cattle grids to cross on these routes so use tyres suitable for riding these roads.
The short answer is yes. This is a timed event, and the NSW Gravel State Championship will be run within the long route event. However do not let this scare you, it is a friendly event, with generous time allowance and a friendly fun atmosphere. It is a great day and lots of fun.
Please check the link in the bar to the Visit Tenterfield Site - there are many accommodation options listed there, however it is not all of them. Please also check Air BnB - Tenterfield has around 30 places listed. There are several campgrounds in Tenterfield and yes you can stay on site at the event at Tenterfield Showgrounds Campground - this is a separate business and you can book by calling them.
Absolutely! There will be early morning coffee and breafast available at event village to get you going. We have upped the size of the huge marquees and gone even bigger, so there will be plenty of shade to relax in after you finish. Chairs/tables provided, food vans, craft beer, local wine and local gin!. We have great music and our entertaining MC Mike Goldman to keep the day rolling. Event village food and beverage will run from 10am - 7.30pm.
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