Shimano Gravel Muster 2025: Back in Alice Springs

Flow Mountain Bike acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Arrernte people, who are the original custodians of Alice Springs and the surrounding area. We recognise their connection to lands, waters and communities and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Gravel is so hot right now and there are new events popping up everywhere! From the Beechworth Granite Classic in the High Country to SEVEN Gravel World Series event in Western Australia, to Gravel n’ Granite in northern NSW they are the new in thing and for good reason.

Last year, the Rapid Ascent team went all in with the first Australian gravel stage race, the Shimano Gravel Muster. To make things more interesting, they decided to hold it in the middle of the country, exploring the East Macdonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. And Shimano Gravel Muster is back for 2025, set for August 21-25!

Rapid Ascent has been doing unique adventure events for over two decades and are also the folks behind the Otway Odyssey mountain bike marathon — maybe you’ve heard of it? In recent years, they have added The Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) as a second event for the weekend. They do a swag of Trail running events and adventure races to keep themselves busy.

Previously, Rapid Ascent ran a four-day mountain bike event called The Redback in Alice Springs. The Shimano Gravel Muster was created as a new and exciting event for for the outback town. When I first spoke to Sam Maffett about Gravel Muster he couldn’t contain his excitement for showing adventurous riders into the outback with this new event. Sleeping at cattle stations under the stars and also riding through the magnificent East MacDonnell Ranges!

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What is Shimano Gravel Muster?

So, what is the Shimano Gravel Muster? It’s a four-day gravel event that uses the enduro/rally format. There are untimed liaisons or cruise sections, and there are timed sections or ‘Race Stages’. Rapid Ascent has used this event format at the GOGG, and it’s been a roaring success.

Rather than a traditional stage race, which is point-to-point full gas, it means that you ride together with your mates in the cruise sections, and then you can rip each other‘s legs off in the timed sections.

The Australian Outback is a pretty special part of the world, with vast wide open spaces and surprisingly big hills and don’t even get me started on the sunrises and sunsets!

It’s also quite daunting going into the outback. That’s why getting involved with the Gravel Muster is an ideal way to experience it in a safe and exciting way. Rapid Ascent provides an all-inclusive package, which means all you have to do is chuck your bike in a bike bag or box and get yourself to Alice Springs.

You just need to sort out your accommodation when you’re in Alice Springs, but once you leave the town, there are no logistics to worry about. Having all of the Food, water, accommodation, etc, lets you fully immerse yourself in the riding and the adventure you’re on. Due to the remote location and the logistics of organising catering, etc., the event is also capped at 100 riders, so don’t leave it too late to enter.

Shimano Gravel Muster Preview

Stage One | Simpsons Gap | 47km, 280m vert

Day one has a short 4km untimed prologue to get to the start of the actual stage. The course follows The Simpson Gap Loop for a 47km stage and only 17km timed. It’s essentially a big loop around Alice Springs, finishing at a pop-up bar! It’s always interesting to see the untimed dynamic between riders, the idea is to slow down a take in the scenery, but I felt like I was already cooked by the time we got to Simpson Gap last year!

The Gap is a big cut-out in the mountain range with a dry creek bed. For the riders, it comes at 28km in, and home to a feed station and the start of the first timed section is along a bike path, which is twisty and technical with loose gravel over a hard pack to test your bike handling prowess. The finish is up to Flagon Hill to end the timed stage, and at the top there are ice cold beers, soft drinks and music to create a bit of a party atmosphere. Then, it’s a short roll back into town.

Stage Two | The Garden Road | 148km, 810m vert

The Garden Road is stage two at 148km (810m of climbing), and it’s where the adventure really kicks off! Leaving the old Telegraph Station, it’s the longest stage of the four days. Riders make their way out along the Stuart Highway, but early in the morning, there’s no problem with traffic in the outback.

Then the racing starts for real at 49km, for a 48km timed segment cutting across vast open plains with mountains on the horizon. The landscape is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s also not just straight flat boring roads, there are rolling hills, and sand bunkers that you have to negotiate. Last year, the corrugations were pretty savage on that first long-timed stage. But these are all features of the adventure, and once you get your eye in, you can find the smooth line, and it keeps the mind focused.

At the finish of this first racing stage you roll into the lunch feed station with fresh salad sandwiches and cold drinks to fuel up. Then after 117km of riding, lay another timed stage for 36km of racing into Hale River Homestead. For the night’s accommodation, you can stay in a cabin with a proper bed, or you can sleep in a tent under the stars for the full muster experience.

The stages start early each day, which gives you plenty of time in the afternoon to enjoy the historic cattle station. If the weather is warm like we had in 2024, an ice-cold drink and a dip in the pool is the best way to relax and chill out. You get to chat with the other riders, swap stories from the road, and check in to see how everyone else found the challenge of racing in the outback.

When you’re at the cattle stations, it’s all fully catered, and the food is fantastic. Dinners offer plenty of variety, with a colourful spread of veggies and tasty protein options. Rapid Ascent doesn’t let you go hungry and everyone was raving about the tucker on the road.

If you’ve been camping in the outback, I don’t even need to mention how good the sunsets and sunrises are… but I will for those that haven’t! Big open skies with the widest horizons you can imagine. It truly is a very special experience.

Stage Three | Arltunga | 90km, 720m vert

Waking up the next day, you have to keep pinching yourself thatyou’ve made it this far out into the Outback to ride your bike. After a full-spread breakfast, it’s time to get on the road again and take on the 90km (720m ascent) Arltunga stage. Surprise, surprise, it’s absolutely spectacular. The first timed section starts straight out of the homestead for 17km of undulating outback gravel.

After you settle down from the full-gas-from-the-gun racing, the next untimed section has a newly renovated outback pub! It’s a must-stop point where they’ve got food prepared by the locals and cold drinks ready (probably too early for a beer). Don’t spend too long chatting to the locals because you then have another 30km timed section heading deep into the mountain range finishing at Trephina Gorge.

The actual race stages aren’t super hilly, but there are some spectacular views while you’re racing through the desert. After a lunch stop at the Gorge to soak up the scenery, you ride back out the same way and can cheer on the riders behind you. Before you know it, you roll into the Ross River Homestead, where, once again, cold beers and bulk chats around the pool are on the menu for the afternoon. Make sure to do the short walk behind the homestead to take in the expansive views—obviously, sunset is the best time for this!

It’s a unique experience when you’re rubbing shoulders with world-class athletes like Tour de France superstar Richie Porte!

For the first edition, there was a good mix of crew: riders venturing inland to escape winter and locals getting involved with a new and exciting event in their backyard.

Stage Four | The Numery | 95km, 600m vert

The Numery is the final day, with a total of 95km (600m of climbing) and one timed section in the middle (43km). But the most exciting part of the course was, at the start, riding through Ross River Gorge and trying to navigate dry sandy creek beds. Chaos ensued as a bunch of riders entered the sand, and only a few made it to the other side without a dab. This is in an untimed liaison, so no racing stress, just a fun challenge to see how far you can make it!

The 43km timed section on the last day is like a scene from Mad Max: long, straight and fast! If you can find a good group or a wheel to follow, the race disappears into the rearview mirror, and the hills around Alice Springs appear on the horizon.

After the timed section, you get a lunch break at Jesse Gap — another stunning location — before some challenging singletrack across the mountain face and the final road section to the brewery! What a blast and such an adventure.

What bike should you ride?

Gravel Muster is a challenging event, no less, and the remote nature of the stages can seem daunting.

Most gravel bikes will be totally fine for The Muster. You can also ride a mountain bike, but with the longer distance it can be less efficient.

I was riding the Focus Atlas gravel bike, which was well suited to the terrain. The slightly more relaxed geometry and upright position add some stability, which was much appreciated by day three with a couple hundred kilometres in my legs already.

Wide tyres are better but not essential, and something with a slightly thicker casing will not go awry either for some additional puncture protection. I rode 50mm tyres last year and enjoyed the bigger bag for added more bump absorption.

Vandy’s top tips for the Gravel Muster:

Do some consistent training

I was a bit underdone last year as I’d just come off a two-week baby moon in Sri Lanka (I took my gravel bike for cram training). But try and do some consistent riding in the months leading up to the race. Most people will be able to enjoy a one-day event with little training. It’s better to have some kilometres in the legs for a multi-day event. I’m not saying you have to be Brendan Johnston-level fit, but if you’ve done regular rides, it will just make the experience more enjoyable.

Bring BIG water bottles

Make sure you can carry plenty of water. I used 2 x 750ml bottles filled with drink mix each day, and with the weather, I could have done with 1L bottles. You don’t need a 3l Camelbak because there are water stations spaced out throughout the day. But take into account it’s going to be warm, dry and you’re working hard. Having extra water is far better than running out.

Don’t forget your spares

No one wants to be fixing a tyre in the middle of a desert, but there were a few flat tyres out on course during the event. Firstly, put on reliable tyres — see above — but also make sure you’re prepared for mechanicals. Bring a couple of spare tubes and a multitool if things rattle loose on your bike and a mini pump and CO2 canisters. Also, make sure to refill on tyre plugs, and some fresh sealant before you leave won’t be a waste either.

Pack sunscreen

It sounds simple, but nothing is worse than getting burnt on a multi-day event. Getting burnt is horrible for recovery, making your body confused if it should repair skin damage or focus on muscle recovery. Plus, getting burnt increases dehydration, and that’s the last thing you need in the desert.

Pack your favourite pillow

I love travelling with a pillow, and it helps me sleep. If you have a bike bag or box, it’s easy to add a pillow. These are big days, and you want to make sure you’re recovering properly and sleeping (as well as you can) in a new place each day. Nothing better at the end of a long day than to rest your head on a familiar surface and drift off into noddy land.

Bring some friends

I’m a social guy and love making new friends, but it’s always fun to have at least one travel buddy to share the event journey with. You can do some training together. Talk tyres together. Just knowing that you’re taking on the challenge together builds the excitement in my experience.

Okay, what are you waiting for? Entries are open now! Head to the Rapid Ascent webpage for more info and go adventure in the outback!