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Gravel Grit Central Coast watagans
Watagans hosts gritty new cycling event

Bicycle Network’s Gravel Grit, the newest event on Australia’s cycling calendar, is coming to the Watagans National Park on the New South Wales Central Coast next month.

Up to 300 cyclists from Sydney and interstate will discover the sensational gravel riding within the Watagans on Sunday 10 September. The event, run in partnership with Cyclist Magazine, combines road cycling and mountain biking with four separate ride options of varying distance, climbing and surface.

Bicycle Network’s General Manager of Events, Rebecca Lane, said the event is an exciting opportunity for road cyclists to experience the beauty of going off-road in a gravel mecca right on Sydney’s doorstep.

“Gravel Grit is an event for the adventurous cyclist who wants to take their weekend rides up a level. With the crunch of gravel under their tyres and the beauty of the Watagans around them, Gravel Grit is a uniquely raw experience. Add to that the challenge of the various surfaces, and it’s a sensational day on the bike,” said Ms Lane.

“The Watagans National Park is made for adventure with its ever-shifting landscapes and maze of tracks and trails. It feels like true wilderness, but is easily accessible from both Newcastle and Sydney.”

The varying ride options at Gravel Grit, which include sections of bitumen, fire trails and 4WD tracks, cater for all types of riders, whether they’re a seasoned road cyclist or a mountain biker.

Ride options range from 46 kilometres on smooth roads, to 67 kilometres on rough tracks with more than 1,000 metres of climbing. All routes are connected and start and finish at the same spot in Cooranbong.

“You can choose your own adventure at Gravel Grit and decide on your final route once you get out there. If you’re feeling good and like the look of the 67 kilometre track, then you can take it and know that you’ll have Bicycle Network’s high-quality support behind you,” added Ms Lane.

Food, drinks and coffee will all be available at the event site, as well as super stops on the route to keep riders hydrated. A bike wash station will help riders clean their wheels before heading home.

Some changes to traffic conditions will be made along the route, including speed limit reductions on Freemans Drive, Martinsville Road, Martinsville Hill Road, Deaves Road and Mandalong Road.

“While most of the event route is within the Watagans, some changes to traffic conditions will be made in the area to minimise risks to all road users. We thank locals for their patience and cooperation,” said Ms Lane.

To enter and for more information about the route, including changes to traffic conditions, plus tips and tricks to tackle the ride, visit gravelgrit.com.au.

Download a Gravel Grit media release with digital resources available for publication.