After taking a sabbatical in 2024, Gravel ‘n Granite is back for 2025 — and it promises to be better than ever! Tenterfield’s biggest cycling event will return for its third edition from March 1-2, 2025.
We caught up with Caitlin Reid, from the Saddlers MTB Club organising committee, to find out why this is an event not to be missed in 2025.
While it’s advertised as a gravel event, mountain bikes, e-bikes, and adaptive bikes are welcome. It is a race with a running clock, but Reid tells us it’s organised to be as welcoming as possible to all riders, regardless of their FTP.
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“It’s a weekend for the whole family, starting Friday night in the main street of Tenterfield. Riders can register in town, enjoy live music, and eat at local restaurants offering special events for everyone,” she says.
This vibe will carry through the weekend, with DJs, food trucks, and local beer and wine at the Tenterfield Showgrounds Race Village — the ideal place to unwind and celebrate after an epic day of riding.
Choose your challenge!
The courses are designed to be challenging, beautiful, and accessible to riders across the spectrum of skill and fitness. The weekend is set, so the three longer events will run on Saturday, with the remaining two on Sunday.
If you rode the event in 2023, the Gravel ‘n Granite team have some new surprises up their sleeve.
“Many of the roads that we have used in previous years are now sealed, so we had to create completely new courses,” Reid says.
“In 2025, Gravel ‘n Granite will feature five new courses designed to cater to riders of all levels, from adaptive participants to the elite gravel competitors looking for a solid weekend challenge,” she continues.
Gravel ‘n Granite Course Overview
The Range Rumble Long Course (91km | 2,335m elevation)
The Range Rumble is a rugged 91.4km route designed for those chasing “Type 2” fun.
Expect extended climbs (yes, you did read the above elevation correctly!), fast descents, creek crossings, and rough technical challenges.
Starting at the Tenterfield Showgrounds, riders will enjoy quaint Tenterfield streets before heading into the rolling hills of Leeches Gully Road.
As riders enter the gravel roads of Basket Swamp and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks, the real adventure begins.
The crux of the day will come at about 50km, where you’ll climb for about 10km, including an absolute wall with grades in excess of 15%!
With 59% gravel and 41% bitumen, the off-road sections are a mix of gravel roads, fire tracks, and rough service roads. There will be four fully stocked feed stations at 29km, 46km, 63km, and 73km. Reid also tells us there will be volunteers strategically placed along the course for moral support, that will also have food, water and first aid supplies.
This course looks to offer a physical and technical challenge, better get moving on those hill repeats.
The Wellington Rocks Medium Course (66km | 1,562m elevation)
This medium-sized course is a challenging 66km ride that balances adventure with some decent climbing and some spicy downhill sections.
Starting again at the Tenterfield Showgrounds, riders will enjoy sweeping views of the Great Dividing Range before crossing Tenterfield Creek and heading into Leeches Gully Road, where the lumpiness of the course begins.
Like the Range Rumble, the route moves onto gravel roads through Basket Swamp National Park. It cuts out the back section of the course through Boonoo Boonoo National Park and finishes with a fast descent down Mt Lindesay Road back to the Showgrounds, where the cold beers will be eagerly waiting.
This course has three aid stations at 29km, 38km and 48km in and while this course is a third shorter, it’s still nearly half gravel.
Basket Swamp Bash – Short & Adaptive Course (38km | 453m elevation)
The third option for Saturday is the Basket Swamp Bash, which is suitable for adaptive riders and hand cycles.
This 38km, fast-paced ride offers 54% gravel and 46% bitumen. Starting on Lindrook Road, you’ll skip the 20km of pounding pavement the other courses do from the Showgrounds and dive into a quick downhill section, followed by a short climb and more exciting descents towards Basket Swamp Road. The crux of the day is a 5km uphill grind, but the payoff is the descent on Mt Lindesay Road, and the course finishes back at the Showground Race Village.
While this course is suitable for adaptive riders, we should note there is one creek crossing with a concrete base that’s usually about 25-30cm deep. There’s also a fully stocked aid station placed 20km from the start.
We should also note this is a point-to-point course, and the Saddler’s MTB club is working on a shuttle bus, but for now, they are recommending folks have a friend or family member drop them off at the start.
Mt Mackenzie Frenzy (24km | 710m elevation)
12km of up with 710m of elevation! Where do they find these hills!
The Mt Mac Frenzy kicks off Sunday’s events, so if you’re not too cooked from Saturday’s ride, get involved! It’s a hill climb race from the showground to the Mount Mackenzie Lookout. The view from the top is epic, so don’t forget to take it in. It’s a race to the top, but riders are encouraged to take it easy on the way down as it gets pretty narrow in places. Elites, adaptive set-ups, e-bikes, road bikes – the opportunity to question life choices is open to every bike and everyone!
Curry’s Gap Dash (11km | 163m elevation)
The Curry’s Gap Dash is a family-friendly ride, ideal for folks who want a relaxed pedal with beautiful views of Tenterfield. Cruising through Curry’s Gap State Conservation Area, this pleasant adventure is open to all riders and is all about fun and enjoying the scenery.
Whereas the longer courses present more technical challenges, the gravel the Curry’s Gap Dash traverses is smooth and approachable for youngsters and riders still finding their feet.
Off the bike in Tenterfield
Tenterfield offers some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever ride through, with scenic backroads, lush bushland, and striking granite formations that make every climb worth it.
Once you cross the finish line, make the most of the Race Village for a post-race celebration or take some time to explore the other attractions Tenterfield has to offer.
“It’s the perfect spot for those bringing friends and family, with plenty of hiking, swimming holes, and the Railway Museum for kids,” says Reid.

“There are heaps of things to do – you will never be bored. Gravel ‘n Granite is a great opportunity to experience what the town has to offer,” Reid says.
Tenterfield also offers a range of accommodation options to suit every preference and budget. Riders can easily secure a camping spot at the Tenterfield Showgrounds for just $15 for the whole weekend — you can book your campsites when you register. Or for those seeking more comfort, there are plenty of nearby accommodations, most within walking or riding distance of the event, ensuring you’re never far from the action.
How to enter Gravel ‘n Granite
Gravel ‘n Granite is run by The Saddlers MTB club, a group that is understandably excited about the Angry Bull Trail Network. Construction is set to kick off soon, and we’ll be dropping into Tenterfield for a preview once the trail crew has made some progress. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, entries are open now, head over to the Gravel ‘n Granite website for more.

Photos: RC Pix / Gravel ‘n Granite, Luke van de Rest/ Gravel ‘ Granite, Flow MTB
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