Now in its second year, Gravel Unravel is a two-day event that brings riders from all around to the tiny town of Mitta Mitta from 11-12 November.
Gravel Unravel is a unique take on the off-rodo fondo, with multiple routes available to ride on the same day, depending on the challenge you’re after.
Regardless of what you choose to ride, the team from Big Hill Events have pieced together a ripper, with champagne gravel, exciting descending and some of the best scenery Victoria has to offer.
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How does Mitta Valley Gravel Unravel Work?
Mitta has a population of under 200 people, and it’s probably somewhere that may not be on your radar to visit for riding — but it absolutely should be.
“It’s one of those hidden little secrets that’s not really on the way for many people to where they would be coming or going from,” says Rohin Hill, Head Honcho at Big Hill Events. “Not many people would go to Mitta Mitta to ride their bikes, so it’s nice to have an event to draw people to these areas they wouldn’t otherwise experience.”
Gravel Unravel is a weekend event, with rides on Saturday and Sunday to maximise your time. On Saturday, there are two routes: the Trap and the Reverse Bull. Both are about 50km in length with approximately 1,000m of climbing, the Trap leaves at 9am and the Reverse Bull at 11am. Adam says folks are encouraged to ride both and make it a 100km Saturday, however you’ll need to have finished the Trap by noon to start the next one.
“You have three hours to complete the first loop, or you can’t go out on the second. It’s basically so that we don’t have our marshalls out there for too long. If you haven’t finished in time, pull up stumps at the pub and have a beer and a meal,” he says. “If you get in under three, go out and do the next one if you want.”
While this is a fondo-style event, and there is no podium or award for being the first across the line, Adams does say inevitably there are riders who will push the pace — everybody has fun in their own way, right?
With that, Adams tells Flow they expect these speedy riders to finish the first loop in less than three hours, which means everyone can regroup before heading out on the next loop.
“You can go out early with a big group and do both loops, or if you want to sleep in and just do the cruisey loop in the afternoon, you still get to roll out in the regrouped start,” he says.
After the ride has finished, Adams is encouraging everyone to come to the pub for some hydration and fueling for the following day.
“Last year, we found everybody was still at the pub when it got to dinner. There was still a bit of lycra getting about when we came in after we finished packing down the courses,” laughs Adams. “It was a really enjoyable night.”
So tell me about the courses
With rides across Saturday and Sunday, there will be marshalls out on course, a sweep and aid stations at the halfway point. These will have baked treats, fruit, lollies and water, however if you’re after drink mix and gels, you’ll need to bring them along with you.
The Trap | 48.8km | 1,123m
The first cab off the rank on Saturday morning is the Trap. Covering 48.8km with 1,123m of climbing, this is the more difficult of the two courses, and not just because it’s slightly longer with more ascending.
Named because the route follows the last part of Trappers Gap which Adams tells us is a stunning bit of champagne gravel. But there is a double meaning here too.
Staring on the Omeo Highway for about 10km of paved road, with the Mitta Mitta River flowing through, there are big rock formations flanking either side of the road — it’s stunning.
“Then you start a gravel climb, it’s not that difficult in terms of gradients — it’s a six to nine per cent type thing — there’s no ‘this is the hard part you’re going to face the wall,’” says Adams.
“When you get to the top of and go into the descent — this where the Trap kind of beings — you go into this descending. You’re like, yes, I’ve made it all the way to the top, but the descent coming off there can sometimes be a little bit bony,” he says. “For some people, it’s really enjoyable, and for others, it’s a real challenge.”
The descent takes you into a super remote valley — Adams recommends dipping your feet into the river before the climb up to Trappers Gap. From the top, you descend all the way back to Mitta Mitta on champagne gravel.
The Reverse Bull | 46.8km | 882m
The Reverse Bull gets its name as it runs about half of Sunday’s course — The Bull — in reverse.
Covering 46.8km and 822m of climbing, the route only features one significant climb and is smooth gravel throughout.
“You climb up Bull Head Gap and get beautiful views overlooking Mitta Mitta looking south — it’s absolutely stunning,” says Adams.
From the top, you’ll descend Callaghan Creek Road, which Adams says is the hero gravel of the area.
“Whereas Trappers Gap is a forested road, Callaghan Creek Road is — if you would have searched for cycling images of Mitta, you would have seen images of people riding on a beautiful gravel road through farm paddock. That’s Callaghan Creek Road,” says Adams.
On Callaghan Creek Road, you basically descend all the way back down to town on A-grade, primo gravel, taking you right past the Mitta Mitta Brewery — Adams says you’ll actually pass it twice on the day, and it’s worth stopping in for a taster on your way back.
The Bull
On Sunday morning, riders will set off in the opposite direction of where they finished the day before heading up Dartmouth Road onto Callaghan Creek Road.
“On the Saturday, we’re only using a third of Callaghan Creek Road. For the Sunday loop, we’ll use the whole thing, and it’s a premium, really stunning ride,” says Adams
While you’re on Callaghan Creek Road, Adams says it undulates while you’re climbing, but it’s gradual, and you don’t really notice. Then, all of a sudden, you pop into the descent, and you’re looking over the hills into the next valley over, coming down into spectacular farmland.
Then, it’s onto the entirety of Bull Head Gap Road, which will bring you back to town.
“There’s no hard climbing; it’s a maximum of six or seven per cent on that day, and it’s just beautiful in every direction,” he says.
Sunday’s ride will finish at the Mitta Mitta Brewery, so if you didn’t stop in yesterday, now is your chance.
Mitta Mitta hasn’t been discovered by AirBNB just yet, so finding somewhere to park up at night does take a little more doing than in some places around the Victorian High Country.
“It’s a weekend of exploration, so enjoy that side of it. I refer to this weekend as your camp and ride style — whether that be in your caravan, or camper, or book a glamping tent or bring your own tent,” he says.
With that, Adams has also reserved 20 Glamping tents at the Mitta Valley Caravan Park, which can be booked through the Gravel Unravel website and are being offered at cost.
“People might see the price and go woah, but that’s what we’ve paid to reserve them. I’m not trying to make a big off a markup, I’m just trying to offer people an increased amount of easy beds that are available to come to the event,” he says.
If you’re more of a permanent roof over your head and running water type, there is a comprehensive list of accommodation on the Gravel Unravel website.
Anything else I should know?
With the size of Mitta Mitta, services are limited. There is a small general store in town, but if you plan to cook your own meals or have particular snacks you like on the bike, we recommend stopping on your way.
Same goes for spare parts and tools. There’s no bike shop in Mitta Mitta, and while Adams has offered up the random bits he may have floating around in the back of the Big Hill Events van, it’s best to come prepared.
Entries are open now for the one and two-day options. At the time of writing, it looks like there are still some glamping tents available, too, so giddy up and head over to the Gravel Unravel website.