Mogo : Gravel Fondo

Three loops on offer
Saturday 20 July 2024

Mogo and the entire Region was severely affected by the fires in 2020

This event will help the local community to get back on their feet

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

Saturday 20 July 2024 : 7:30am

130km with 3,000m

OR

75km with 1,595m

OR

44km with 820m aka Piccolo

Bookings close 36 hours before the event

Bookings for T-Shirts Close 3 weeks before the event

Reviews from 2022:

Hi Will, Just wanted to say a huge thank you for bringing goodnessgravel to Mogo. It was an awesome ride and so good to have an event on our local roads. Already looking forward to next year! Thanks again. - John
Hi Will, Great day. Good course. People at Nelligen were very friendly and helpful. People at the finish the same. Everything at the end was great. Worth the wait. Big thumbs up. Well done to you and the team. - Russell
Hi Will, big thanks to yourself for organising the event and to all the support staff and volunteers who assisted throughout the day. The course itself was great - varied terrain, beautiful scenery and overall easy to follow. - Paul

Bring on the 2024 goodnessgravel Mogo Gravel Fondo event : our FOURTH edition!

It was so good(ness) to see so many repeat offenders at the 2023 event and we thank you for being a part of the upcoming third 'running'. We cannot wait to see you down in the magnificent Mogo area.

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 over the weekend but there are literally dozens out there who will be helping make the 2024 event a massive success.  

The last thank you must go to those who continue to sponsor us, Shimano GRX and Eurobodalla Shire Council are the Major Sponsors with Shimano Shoes, Apidura Bags, Heaps Normal, Bombtrack, Panaracer, SMOOVE Lube and Lazer being Silver.

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Why Mogo? 

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 gold in Eurobodalla Shire. This region on the South Coast has endless kilometres of gravel roads and now we want to share this goodnessgravel with you. 

Eurobodalla is massive, they span roughly 100km from South Durras to Tilba Tilba

Their region also includes Batemans Bay, Moruya, Bodalla and Narooma, just to name a few.

We provided the Council with photographs, films and documented what they had in their own backyard.

Then it was time to get serious and talk about a gravel event ... that brought about the birth of goodnessgravel.

We cannot wait to see you in 2024 and show off this beautiful and unique region.

Now for a little write up on the courses: 

Gravel Fondo : 130km with 3,000m of ascent 

There is no hiding from that second number, 3,000m of ascent. This is not a ride where you will be averaging 30kph. This is a BIG Day!

Do not assume that it will be over in 4 hours and 30 minutes. We feel that this course offers a little of everything. The amazing countryside is first and foremost, there is something about Australian bush, you will see the scars of the recent fires, ride beside magical rivers, some you will go OVER while on others, your feet will get wet going through the weirs. The dairy farming county and the seven State Forests will all provide each rider with a beautiful snapshot and some good(ness) ‘hurt’ as you ride through this beautiful region.

The course is set up like a strange figure 8. Riders will leave Mogo on Saturday 20 July 2024 and head out into the Mogo State Forest. That first segment, more info below, is a good leg burner and will take riders up to the highest point on the ride at 221m above sea-level, it is not until after 11.5km that riders will enjoy their first proper descent. 

Once at that crest, riders are heading in a general downward direction as you head to the beautiful Runnyford Bridge (@ ~26km). This part of the world is glorious and wooden bridge over the Buckenbowra River will be a highlight of everyones day. 

There is some climbing to be done before you get to the first Rest Stop in Nelligen (@ 38.5km). Here you will find live music, a place to fill your water bottles and grab your drop bag. There will also be first aid, bananas and mechanic to assist if necessary. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you. 

After Nelligen riders will pedal along the Kings Highway for a short distance. Riders MUST follow all NSW Road Rules along this section and please do not ride in large bunches. Then riders will be heading back on to more superb gravel. A nice segment is waiting for you, more info below, and then by 53km riders will reach 218m above sea-level, the second highest point on the course for the day. Continue along and continue through the Boyne State Forest. Soon riders will be on the Old Princess Highway, which is gravel, and by 75.5km you will be at Shallow Crossing, a weir and expect to get wet when crossing the Clyde River.  

River road is a piece of paradise, the views are sublime and terrain is ‘rolling’ as you pedal alongside the Clyde River. Note, it is not flat but the views will help take your mind away from the burning sensation in your legs.

Riders will come back onto the Kings Highway at 95km and head back into Nelligen to the same Rest Stop (@ 96.5km) which you first rode all those kilometres before. Leaving Nelligen riders should settle in for the Runnyford Climb, more info below, before crossing the Runnyford Bridge for the second time. 

It is not all over then, soon after the bridge, riders will turn right to complete the bottom half of the figure 8. This section includes Egans Road. It is a beautiful section, going past farm houses, some ponds and over a rolling hillThe entire section of Egans Road is 5.5km and the finish line in Mogo is getting close. What will be your plan of attack, slow and steady or no holding back?

Then comes the final true, true climb up Quart Port Road. This has some steep sections, WWW (Will We Walk) on the +10% sections or did you save enough in your tank to pedal to the top? This climb is +4km in length and tops out at 120m above sea-level. It is not all down hill to Mogo but once you are at ~120km you have done most of the hard work. Before you know it 130km will be done and you will be right back to where you started from way back around 7:30am that morning. 

NOTE : Our strong recommendation is that you keep on pedalling throughout the day. Work on ensuring you return to Mogo in the shortest possible time. Therefore stopping at the Rest Stop(s) should be limited and your training program, particularly for the 130km 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

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 130km ride:

The very first few kilometres of the ride are ‘Buckenbowra to Quart Pot’ https://www.strava.com/segments/25141546 : Stats Distance 8.54km / Avg Grade 1.6% / Low Elev 27m / High Elev 169m / Elev Diff 142m / Current KOM 21:13 and QOM 22:28.

Soon after the Rest Stop in Nelligen, heading away from Mogo and after turning off Kings Highway, riders will go up ‘Old Nelligen Rd Climb’ : https://www.strava.com/segments/1137399 : Stats Distance .29km / Avg Grade 8.1% / Low Elev 30m / High Elev 55m / Elev Diff 25m / Current KOM 1:07 and QOM 1:21. 

Soon after the Rest Stop in Nelligen, heading back towards Mogo, riders will go up ‘Runnyford Climb’ : https://www.strava.com/segments/14044749 : Stats Distance 3.79km / Avg Grade 3.6% / Low Elev 0m / High Elev 135m / Elev Diff 135m / Current KOM 10:20 and QOM 12:24. 

Join our Strava Club for the Gravel Fondo 130km

Gravel Fondo : 75km with 1,595m of ascent 

Even though this is a ‘shorter’ course, there is STILL no hiding from that second number, 1,595m of ascent. Take your time and settle in to enjoy this course. It is similar to the full course but does not have the top circle of the figure eight. 

Riders will still enjoy the amazing countryside and also witness the scars of the recent fires plus experience some good(ness) ‘hurt’ as you ride through this beautiful region.

After all the 130km riders have departed, it is now time for the 75km riders to leave Mogo on Saturday 20 July 2024. As soon as you leave the oval you will be on the gravel and going through the Mogo State Forest. That first segment, more info below, is a good leg burner and will take riders up to the highest point on the ride at 221m above sea-level, it is not until after 11.5km that riders will enjoy their first proper descent.

Once at that crest, riders are heading in a general downward direction as you head to the beautiful Runnyford Bridge (@ ~26km). This part of the world is glorious and wooden bridge over the Buckenbowra River will be a highlight of everyones day. 

There is some climbing to be done before you get to the first Rest Stop in Nelligen (@ 38.5km). Here you will find live music, a place to fill your water bottles and grab your drop bag. There will also be first aid, bananas and mechanic to assist if necessary. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you. 

After Nelligen, this is where the course differs to the 130km. The 75km riders with turn around after the Rest Stop in Nelligen and instantly settle in for the Runnyford Climb, more info below, before crossing the Runnyford Bridge for the second time. 

Soon after the bridge, riders will turn right on to Egans Road. It is a beautiful section, going past farm houses, some ponds and over a rolling hillThe entire section of Egans Road is 5.5km and the finish line in Mogo is getting close. What will be your plan of attack, slow and steady or no holding back?

Then comes the final true, true climb up Quart Port Road. This has some steep sections, WWW (Will We Walk) on the +10% sections or did you save enough in your tank to pedal to the top? This climb is +4km in length and tops out at 120m above sea-level. It is not all down hill to Mogo but once you are at ~62km you have done most of the hard work. 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

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:

The very first few kilometres of the ride are ‘Buckenbowra to Quart Pot’ https://www.strava.com/segments/25141546 : Stats Distance 8.54km / Avg Grade 1.6% / Low Elev 27m / High Elev 169m / Elev Diff 142m / Current KOM 21:13 and QOM 22:28.

Soon after the Rest Stop in Nelligen, heading back towards Mogo, riders will go up ‘Runnyford Climb’ : https://www.strava.com/segments/14044749 : Stats Distance 3.79km / Avg Grade 3.6% / Low Elev 0m / High Elev 135m / Elev Diff 135m / Current KOM 10:20 and QOM 12:24. 

Join our Strava Club for the Gravel Fondo 75km

Gravel Fondo : 44km with 820m of ascent 

Welcome to the Piccolo -- shorter than the other two loops BUT still a though course.

9:00am : A slightly later start on the Saturday morning for the Piccolo riders.

All Piccolo riders receive a coffee as part of their event registration - so come and register on Saturday 20 July 2024 on the event morning OR if you have registered on the Friday night, roll up around 8:30am to grab your brew at Mogo Sports Oval.

As soon as you leave the oval you will be on the gravel and going through the Mogo State Forest. That first segment, more info below, is a good leg burner and will take riders up to the highest point on the ride at 221m above sea-level, it is not until after 11.5km that riders will enjoy their first proper descent.

Once at that crest, riders are heading in a general downward direction as you head to the 'short cut' which makes the Piccolo so special.

Riders will turn left on Egans Road (@ ~24km). It is a beautiful section, going past farm houses, some ponds and over a rolling hillThe entire section of Egans Road is 5.5km and the finish line in Mogo is getting close. What will be your plan of attack, slow and steady or no holding back?

Then comes the final true, true climb up Quart Port Road. This has some steep sections, WWW (Will We Walk) on the +10% sections or did you save enough in your tank to pedal to the top? This climb is +4km in length and tops out at 120m above sea-level. It is not all down hill to Mogo but once you are at ~33km you have done most of the hard work. Before you know it you will be right back to where you started from way back at 9:00am that morning. 

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

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 is one from the 44km ride:

The very first few kilometres of the ride are ‘Buckenbowra to Quart Pot’ https://www.strava.com/segments/25141546 : Stats Distance 8.54km / Avg Grade 1.6% / Low Elev 27m / High Elev 169m / Elev Diff 142m / Current KOM 21:13 and QOM 22:28.

Join our Strava Club for the Gravel Fondo 44km

Post Ride 

Riders receive a complimentary sausage sling (vegan option available) and cold drink - cooked by Batemans Bay MTB Club - at Mogo Sports Oval & Playground 

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 will be riding on Yuin Country. The people of the Yuin Nation are the traditional custodians of the land known as Eurobodalla Shire.

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Sponsors : Shimano GRX & Eurobodalla Shire Council
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