Feast your eyes on new racing territory for 2024. Australia’s first-ever gravel stage race, The Shimano Gravel Muster, with the red dirt from August 22-25.
Taking the place of The Redback mountain bike stage race, Rapid Ascent’s Shimano Gravel Muster is keeping all of the best features of its predecessor. Competitive spirit, camaraderie between racers, and incredible scenery (and probable leg cramps) will see riders through four-days of pure outback riding.
With stops at secluded cattle stations along the way, the course will make use of 380km of gravel roads around Alice Springs, covering the more isolated areas of the Northern Territory and East MacDonnell Ranges.
With the new event in sight, Flow got in touch with Event Manager, Sam Maffet, to find out exactly how bikes will meet Central Australian gravel in August.
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Mapping out the new course
The Shimano Gravel Muster came to replace the historic mountain bike stage race, The Redback, after Sam Maffet and his colleagues realised the network of gravel roads around Central Australia. Spreading from Alice Springs to the East MacDonnell Ranges, this complex presented quite the canvas to host a brand-new event.
The decision to make the switch from mountain to gravel was a no-brainer. In the face of such an extensive spread of unpaved roads just waiting to be explored, the team behind the Gravel Muster were excited to merge into something new.
“More and more bike parks are turning to more flow-style bike trails (and the style of The Redback) is a bit old-school these days,” Maffet says, “… this is an opportunity to roll all of that together, do something different and expand into another gravel event (to) showcase this amazing landscape out East.”
It is no understatement to say this area of Australia is very secluded. Lacking signposts and reception to direct a lost traveler, it is an impressive feat to have mapped such a vast course in the area.
But Maffet brushed it off as a slight obstacle to contend with in the making of the race. He says they were familiar with the landscape around Central Australia, but had just never explored all the gravel roads it had to offer.
“We spoke to some locals…who said that they’d be smooth enough to ride on,” Maffet says. “We explored it ourselves and plotted the route.”
And just like that, the course was set for a brand new event.
What sets the Shimano Gravel Muster apart?
The Gravel Muster wears the title of the first gravel stage race in Australia, but its list of wild and wonderful qualities doesn’t stop there.
Maffet says one of the best things about the race is the strong relationships people will make with others along the way.
“Being in a unique landscape that brings people together, it just becomes a massive shared experience,” Maffet says. “People make a whole bunch of new friends, they compare notes from one day to the next and it just builds a whole other level of camaraderie between competitors.”
The Muster is not just a race, but also a reflection of the amazing environment which thrives in this part of the world. Staying at cattle stations along the way, riders will get an all round idea of both the riding and lifestyle of the outback.
On top of this, The Gravel Muster is an all-inclusive event, where a combination of meals, food, race support and accommodation throughout the week are included in the entry fee (see full accommodation and inclusion plan here). Camping equipment and all other baggage will be transported to the final destination of each day, saving riders from lugging both bags and bikes across the desert.
All in all, the Gravel Muster is an event for adventurers, by adventurers, and the most you will need to remember to bring is yourself, your bike, and a sturdy pair of legs.
Format of each day
So, how will each day pan out in Aussie Central? Pardon the pun, but racers will be in for a ride.
Each stage will be a progression on the last, incorporating racing and non-racing segments with up to two timed sections included in each day.
Maffet says the riding is very flat. There are some long, straight sections, riding into a shimmering horizon, and other stages winding around the base of some of the ridgelines, gorges and peaks of the MacDonnell Ranges.”
Rest assured that the ride will not be affected by weather at all. It’s blue-bell skies all week long in the Northern Territory! In August, when the event is held, temperatures will maintain a steady 23º Celsius with the promise of little to no rain.
After each stage of immaculate weather and views, riders will have the chance to set up camp for the night. Presentations will be held, and dinner next to a bonfire will mark the end of a good day in the saddle.
Day 1 | 45km, Simpsons Gap Loop
Day one will include the shortest riding stage, easing competitors into the flow of the race.
Riders will tackle a loop of 45 km in total, including a racing segment of 17 km, before returning to Alice Springs for the night.
A treat of free beer and snacks will be provided at a pop-up bar to celebrate completing the first hurdle of the event.
Day 2 | 150km, The Gardens Road
Leaving Alice Springs for good this time, The Hale River Cattle Station at Old Ambalindum will be the final destination of day two. The station is by no means a small one and, located at the the centre of the East MacDonnell Ranges, the scenery throughout the ride will be a stunning show of Red Centre’s landscape.
The course to the station covers a total of 150 km. To break up the stage, there will be two race segments, making up 94 km.
After dinner at the homestead, it will be time to rest up the legs for the next morning.
Day 3 | 90km, Artlunga Stage
Saying goodbye to the Hale River Homestead, riders will set their sights 90 km away to the Ross River Cattle Station. The station grew out of the original 1890s Loves Creek Homestead and is located at the base of the Ross River Gorge.
Day three will include another two racing segments, making up 47 km of the 90 km stage.
Day 4 | 95km, The Ringwood Stage
Day 4 is the last hurrah of the 380km-long course. With 285km already completed, only 95km remain. The day will include one racing segment of a whopping 55 km before riders arrive back at Alice Springs.
After completing a spectacular course, presentations will be held, followed by some much-needed R&R and bed.
What type of rider is The Shimano Gravel Muster for?
The Shimano Gravel Muster is an event for any rider who sets their mind to it. Presenting terrain, which is mostly fast and flat, with some hills around the base of the MacDonnell Ranges, the riding of each stage is achievable for all.
“It certainly should be approachable for recreational riders who just want a really amazing experience riding and spending time out in Central Australia”, Maffet says.
E-Bikes are also very welcome and will have their own category in the event. So, if you are nervous about the distance, but still want the experience, there will definitely be room for you.
If fitness is the only thing holding you back, the Rapid Ascent team has even provided training plans to help you prepare for such long days on the bike. Find the training plan here to be ready come August!
Big names at the Shimano Gravel Muster!
If you have ever wanted to test yourself against the best of the best, this is your chance. Former World Tour pro roadie and all-around legend Richie Porte will be continuing his exploration off-road and is a confirmed rider for the Gravel Muster in August. From racing the World Tour to getting a podium at the Tour de France, Porte will be a great person to ride and chat with over the four-day course.
How to enter the Shimano Gravel Muster
Entries are now open! Head over to the Shimano Gravel Muster website for more info and to put your name down for a gravel race like no other.