The Sunday Creek Classic is a 120km very dirty Gran Fondo with 3,000m of climbing – and yes it’s tough. Real tough.
UPDATE FOR 2024: We’ve updated the tail end of the course to remove the killer hike-a-bike and will instead roll into town on the paved surface. Apparently people like to ‘ride’ bikes.
The course features fire trails, gravel roads, some single track and a couple of short sharp sections of hike-a-bike. It’s suitable for gravel bikes, cycle cross bikes, mountain bikes or road bikes with clearance for gravel tires (think 35mm plus). Maybe best leave those carbon soled road shoes behind too.
And don’t underestimate the hills behind Kenilworth – it’s magnificent country, but can be brutal. The surface conditions ae largely dependent on the weather over the previous 12 months.
The course will be marked and is available as a GPX file, downloadable PDF and as a Strava route. Please note that the course below may be subject to change pending council and national parks approval.
The event is semi-supported with water and refuelling stops along the way. Riders will need to be self sufficient for large sections of the course carrying sufficient water, spare tubes and parts. A sag wagon will follow the riders sweeping the course and event first aid will be on hand in case of emergency.
Bike Selection
Gravel Bikes: For a majority of the course Gravel Bikes will have a speed advantage over MTBs. On some climbs and sections of the Sunday Creek Road descent, gravel bikes may lose time to MTBs depending on the skills of the rider. Our recommendation is to know your bike and understand your limitations. Please note that under wet conditions, or if the course has been severely impacted by rain in the previous months, switching to an MTB may be a good option for many.
MTBs: There is no question that the mountain bikers with enjoy the extra gears for climbs and more stability on the descents, for many, an MTB will be the better option, especially for riders with less experience off road.
Super bikes: Some of the more creative riders build bikes specifically for this course that combines the best aspects of Gravel bikes and MTBs into their dream machine. Hardtail 29er with 2inch tires and drop bars anyone?
Gravel Grades
A guide to the Cycling Tips Gravel Grading can be found here.
64.7% – G1 to G3 with a bias towards G3 depending on the weather over the previous 12 months
17.3% – G4 including the Sunday Creek Rd descent
6.8% – G5 including the climb to Mt Buggery
11.1% – Paved including the neutralised zone through Kenilworth and road through Jimna
Check Points (CPs)
There are two Checkpoints on the course where you will find basic first aid, the event team (a hug?), water, Trailbrew sports mix and a few nutrition options including bananas, chocolate, lollies and muesli bars.
CPs are located at 45kms at the top of Mt Buggery and 75kms in the small town of Jimna.
The town of Jimna is also a great spot to re-supply with a coffee or toastie from the local store – they’re expecting us.
