After a winter break, the Dirty Gran Fondo is back! This time, Big Hill Events is having their Double Cross edition, another battle of mountain bikes versus cyclo cross bikes on the dirt roads and climbs in the Victorian Bunyip State Park, less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne.
Riders can choose from two distance options, the 75km or the 50km fondos and enter a race categoric based on this and on the type of bike they wish to ride. There’s a mountain bike (minimum tyre width 1.85” and mtb style handlebars), a cyclo cross (700c wheels and drop bars) and a mongrel category that includes everything that isn’t mtb or cx.
This is what the track looked like during the course ride last month
The track is very smooth and organisers are expecting the cyclo cross riders to be crossing the finish first, as was the case in the 2012 edition that was won by Rohin Adams ahead of Lewis Rattray. Both these guys are lining up at the start again and rumours are that Rattray is looking for revenge.
One of the best things about racing with Big Hill Events is their well stocked feed zones as will be the case again this time. Where else can you get a mid race caffeine boost from the Fitzroy Revolution’s fresh coffee machine?
Slick and smooth roads for the DGF Double Cross
The event is held in just over a week from now and registration is still open through www.bighillevents.com.au of for an additional $10 you can enter on the day. Don’t forget to bring your MTBA licence if you have one or quickly register online at www.mtba.asn.au/join for a free membership if you haven’t yet.
Race details:
Sunday 21st of September
Rego 8:45am to 9.45am
Race start 10:am
Gembrook CFA
Course profiles:
http://www.mapmyride.com/au/richmond-victoria/dirty-gran-fondo-group-141840#/routes
The Subaru-MarathonMTB.com riders at last years DGF