Return to Glen Innes Gravel
The drive up to Glen Innes is a fantastic prelude to a gravel event, a scenic journey to the New England Highlands. This region, sitting high on the Great Dividing Range, is a distinct escape with invigorating air and vast, open landscapes – the perfect backdrop for a day of gravel riding.
This stunning scene sets the stage for goodnessgravel Glen Innes, an event that celebrates gravel riding (the sweet spot between road cycling and mountain biking). It's about exploring the roads less traveled – unsealed tracks, fire trails, and quiet back roads that offer a sense of freedom and adventure you won't always find on paved surfaces.
Arriving in Glen Innes, the crisp highland air welcomed us. The weather was classic gravel riding conditions - cool enough to warrant layers, but with the promise of sunshine breaking through. As any gravel rider knows, you have to be prepared for anything, and today delivered - with patches of refreshing rain downpours and the ever-present dance with the wind. Thankfully, the thought of a mid-ride refuel, looking forward to the legendary warm cinnamon doughnuts, kept our spirits high and legs turning.
The energy and enthusiasm were infectious with people from everywhere but a large presence of riders from Brisbane. This discipline attracts those who love the challenge of varied terrain and the camaraderie of shared effort, away from the hustle and bustle of traditional road events. I was excited for Elliot and Steve who were there for their first gravel fondo.
goodnessgravel events are known for the courses, meticulously designed to showcase the scenery of the region, in this case Glen Innes. One moment you're cruising on smooth, hard-packed gravel, feeling the satisfying hum of your tires, and the next you're elevating to "champagne" gravel. The rolling hills and open landscapes offer a sense of vastness in the environment of the Highlands. With options ranging from the accessible 30km loop to the demanding 125km epic, the event caters to riders looking for anything from a scenic tour to a true test of endurance.
We were tackling the longer distances today, eager to immerse ourselves in the full experience. The full experience certainly struck Elliot at around the 70km mark, a reminder that fuelling and pacing are crucial, especially on longer gravel rides where consistent effort over varied terrain is key. It's all part of the learning curve, and the supportive atmosphere of events like this and riding with friends from MC makes the cycling community so special.
Representing MC Velo at goodnessgravel again was a treat. There's a real sense of connection when you see familiar faces out on the gravel, all sharing the same passion for exploring by bike. The post-ride sausage and drink were a welcome reward, a chance to swap stories and celebrate the day's accomplishments. The Glen Innes hospitality extended beyond the ride itself, with many people volunteering and supporting the event, proud to show off their local town and surrounds.
Knowing we had more gravel goodness to soak in, we stayed overnight, eager to tackle the shorter course on Sunday. A highlight for all of us was when the route guided us back onto a section of the Travelling Stock Route (TSR). These protected pathways, historically vital for moving livestock across Australia, offered a unique experience. While traditionally strolled by cattle and sheep, today it was just the four of us gravelists, peacefully winding our way through the serene forests and alongside waterways.
Of course, no trip to this region is complete without a visit to a local bakery, which led us to the legendary Sweetie's Pie Bake Shop for a well-deserved breakfast pie before heading home. As we arrived for opening time, there was already a line down the street!
We're already looking forward to the next opportunity to explore the backroads of Glen Innes!
