Glen Innes : Gravel Fondo
Glen Innes 7 hours from Sydney & 4:30 hours from Brisbane
Come join us for a dose of goodnessgravel
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 12 April 2025 : 7:30am
125km with 1,700m
OR
75km with 1,000m
OR
35km with 450m aka Piccolo ... 8:30am depart
Bookings close 48 hours before & Bookings for T-Shirts Close 3 weeks beforehand
Reviews from past events:
Welcome to the FOURTH edition of goodnessgravel Glen Innes - which will be held on Saturday 12 April 2025.
Join us for this Gravel Fondo event.
Check out the 2024 Event Photos - it was another huge success and we cannot wait to show off this beautiful area once again.
We must continue to thank our riders for your support as without you, these events would not be possible.
We must also thank those who are volunteering 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 dozens out there who will be helping make this gravel event a huge success.
The last thank you must go to those who are our sponsors, Shimano GRX and Glen Innes Council are the Major Sponsors with Shimano Shoes, Heaps Normal, Bombtrack, Apidura Bags, Panaracer, Lazer, SMOOVE Lube, ASS Magic and Bowy Active being Silver.
Let us make this event another fantastic success.
Why Glen Innes?
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 even more gold in the Glen Innes Area. Enjoy the drive to this glorious area and get ready to head out on their beautiful roads.
We cannot wait to share even more goodnessgravel with you and looking forward to seeing you in 2025 to show off this glorious and high altitude region.
Now for a little write up on the courses:
Saturday Gravel Fondo : 125km with 1,700m of ascent
Glen Innes > Mt Mitchell > Red Range > Glen Innes
This Loop will keep those doing the LONG course on their toes. Some glorious gravel including Mt Slow Road, a few decent climbs and visit to Red Range.
7:30am : Saturday morning, when leaving Glen Innes Showground - 1059m above sea-level (ASL) - riders will tic tac through various roads including a gravel sections along Caerleon Rd before heading further east along the paved Glen Legh Rd.
There is a bit of tarmac to chew up in the first 20+ km. You will be thankful to see one particular climb at ~25km coated in black tarmac. The toughest part of this climb is roughly 2+ km in length, please remember that this is just the beginning so do not blow up this early. The climb is up the aptly named Mt Mitchell Rd with some sections over 12%. Some people think it is better to get the tough stuff out of the way early ... this is not the only climb of the day but it would have to classify as the toughest.
Soon after the gravel starts and @ ~28km we have a Rest Stop 'Lite' here there will be bananas and water if needed. At ~29km will be at your highest point on today's ride at 1,259m ASL.
Continue along Mt Slow Road before turning on Costellos Road. These two sections are magical pieces of gravel. Enjoy the quiet roads and rolling terrain as you ride along to ~54km.
Soon you will be on the paved Pinkett Rd and headed out to Pretty Valley and Ryans Rd, more fantastic gravel sections with views of lush farm lands.
After this loop there is a solid paved climb going back along Pinkett Rd. At ~61km you are at the lowest point of the day (1,047m ASL) and from there it's time to go up.
Complete another little addition off Pinkett Rd on Square Range Road before heading to the second Rest Stop of the day at Red Range @ ~80km (1,159m ASL).
Here you will find music, a place to fill your water bottles and grab your drop bag and fill up on a banana or two. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you.
When leaving Red Range, you will be riding along the superb gravel stretch of Donnelly Rd, along this section @ ~91km you will be at your lowest point on today's ride at 1,028m ASL.
After you turn LEFT on Shannon Vale Rd you have a very short climb and then descent to cross the Mann River @~48km. From here you will gently climb on mix of paved and gravel roads. before turning LEFT on Linwood Rd. This is another fantastic stretch on gravel, going through beautiful Australian Countryside on your way back to Lambs Valley Road before pedalling back to Glen Innes Showground.
Registered riders will be emailed the Strava and Ride With GPS link including GPX file the week of the event
Saturday Gravel Fondo : 75km with 1,000m of ascent
Glen Innes > Lambs Valley > Red Range > Glen Innes
This 'Shorter' Loop will show off some great countryside during the 75km course. To begin riders will climb through Lambs Valley followed by a visit to Red Range and to finish, enjoy the pedal along Donnelly and Linwood Roads.
7:35am : Saturday morning, when leaving Glen Innes Showground - 1059m above sea-level (ASL) - riders will tic tac through various roads including a gravel sections along Caerleon Rd before heading further east along the paved Glen Legh Rd.
After 10km riders will turn LEFT, diverting away from the 125km course. Soon you will be on gravel going through Lambs Valley. This ~6km section begins with a nice ~4km descent but what goes down, must go up. The toughest part of the climb is ~1km which has some +5% gradients.
Once you turn RIGHT on Pinkett Rd you will be back on paved road for ~10km and heading towards Red Range. Along this section @ ~25km you will be at your highest point on today's ride at 1,204m ASL.
When you ride through Red Range, you will find the Rest Stop @ ~31.5km (1,159m ASL).
Here you will find music, a place to fill your water bottles and grab your drop bag and fill up on a banana or two. Please say hello to the volunteers and treat the area with respect when it comes to litter and general behaviour, we thank you.
When leaving Red Range, you will be riding along the superb gravel stretch of Donnelly Rd, along this section @ ~43km you will be at your lowest point on today's ride at 1,028m ASL.
After you turn LEFT on Shannon Vale Rd you have a very short climb and then descent to cross the Mann River @~48km. From here you will gently climb on mix of paved and gravel roads. before turning LEFT on Linwood Rd. This is another fantastic stretch on gravel, going through beautiful Australian Countryside on your way back to Lambs Valley Road before pedalling back to Glen Innes Showground.
Registered riders will be emailed the Strava and Ride With GPS link including GPX file the week of the event
Saturday Gravel Fondo : 35km with 450m of ascent : Piccolo Loop
Glen Innes > Lambs Valley > Linwood > Glen Innes
Come for an enjoyable pedal through the beautiful New England Highlands. Head through Lambs Valley and enjoy the out-and-back along Linwood Road before heading back to Glen Innes.
8:30am : A slightly later start on the Saturday morning for the 35km riders.
All Piccolo riders receive a coffee as part of their event registration - so come and register on the Saturday on the event morning OR if you have registered on the Friday night, roll up around 8:00am to grab your brew at Glen Innes Showground.
When leaving Glen Innes Showground - 1059m above sea-level (ASL) - riders will tic tac through various roads including a gravel sections along Caerleon Rd before heading further east along the paved Glen Legh Rd.
After 10km riders will turn LEFT, diverting away from the 125km course, contuning along the same path as the 75km course. Soon you will be on gravel going through Lambs Valley. This ~6km section begins with a nice ~4km descent but what goes down, must go up. The toughest part of the climb is ~1km which has some +5% gradients.
Once you reach Pinkett Road, the Piccolo Loop (aka 35km riders) will turn LEFT and then RIGHT to begin their out-and-back ride along the superb Linwood Road. This is a fantastic stretch on gravel, going through beautiful Australian Countryside. Once you get to Shannon Vale Road @ ~24km turn around and see Linwood from a whole new perspective as you retrace your pedals back to the start of Linwood Road.
@ ~29km turn RIGHT and follow the tarmac back towards Glen Innes and re-join the 75km and 125km course at ~35km as you head back to Glen Innes Showground.
Registered riders will be emailed the Strava and Ride With GPS link including GPX file the week of the event.
Post Ride
Riders receive a complimentary sausage sling (vegan option available) and cold drink - cooked by Westpac Rescue Helicopter Volunteers Crew - at Glen Innes Showground.
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 Ngarabul people, traditional keepers of this land in the Glen Innes Shire.