From the official event website:

Event Date : Sunday 19 September 2021 : 7:30am

Welcome to the 2021 goodnessgravel Gundy

Thank you for being a part of this inaugural event. We cannot wait to show off this beautiful area. 

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 Sunday 19 September 2021 a huge success.  

The last thank you must go to those who have committed to be the first year sponsors, Upper Hunter Shire and PEARL iZUMi are the Major Sponsors and Bont plus Paradice Investment Management being Gold then Surly, Panaracer, Lazer and SMOOVE Lube being Silver. 

Let us make this event a sell out in its first year.

Now for a little write up on the two courses:

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

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 first 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. 

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 and grab your second 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. 

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. 

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

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 on Sunday 19 September 2021. 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 first 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. 

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