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TIER 4

Gravel n Granite

Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia · 2027: March 6 (Saturday gravel courses; event weekend March 5-7)

VERDICT Australian mountain gravel challenge.

41
LAB SCORE
[05]

The Ratings

Course verdict

A 91-kilometre adventure enduro through Tenterfield's rugged granite country, combining fast gravel, major climbing, fast descents, and National Park backroads.[1]

Course Profile ratings for this race. Select a point for its explanation. LOGISTICS2/5LENGTH2/5TECHNICAL3/5ELEVATION2/5CLIMATE2/5ALTITUDE2/5ADVENTURE3/5 16/35
Course Profile
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Train for Gravel n Granite

A training plan for Gravel n Granite—shaped to your fitness and the hours you have.

[01]

Course Overview

Creek crossings and national park granite country near Tenterfield, Australia.

56.5 mi
Distance
--
Elevation
Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia
Location
March 6 (Saturday gravel courses; event weekend March 5-7), 2027
Date
~2027
Field Size
--
Entry Cost
Facts & History

Reputation: Local Australian event.

[03]

The Course

Gravel cyclist in racing kit with helmet and sunglasses on rural country road with pastoral farmland and trees in background - Gravel and Granite - Tenterfield, New South Wales, AustraliaPhoto: YouTube / Tri Fit
First-person perspective of gravel bike rider following peloton on dirt road through open countryside with long shadows - Gravel and Granite - Tenterfield, New South Wales, AustraliaPhoto: YouTube / Tri Fit

A 91-kilometre adventure enduro through Tenterfield's rugged granite country, combining fast gravel, major climbing, fast descents, and National Park backroads.

Signature challenge: Preserving climbing torque and descending control across an exact 2027 profile that the organizer has not yet released.

RIDERS REPORT
Steepest Hill
The steepest part of the course reaches 23% incline. Many riders, including e-bike users, had to get off and walk. One rider mentioned finding someone already walking their bike saying they were too tired to continue.
Kildare Road
Freshly bituminized road that is very slippery. Organizers specifically warned riders to back off speed even though you'll want to hammer it down this section.
Final 18 kilometers MI 80
Described as pretty serious hills with 800 meters of elevation gain near the end, making it a cruel finish to the race.
Causeways
Can be slippery with water over them. Riders need to take it easy crossing these sections.
Cattle Grids
Must be crossed straight across due to gaps between the bars. Important to maintain proper line to avoid getting caught in the gaps.
Corrugations on gravel sections - some riders heard that riding on the right hand side (opposite to normal) makes the corrugations less rough, though effectiveness unclear.
Mix of gravel and bitumen sections with multiple water crossings throughout the course.
Freshly bituminized sections that are very slippery and not finished yet, requiring reduced speeds.
[04]

From the Field

The Kildare Road has just been bitumized it's very slippery, so even though you are going to want to hammer it down kill their Road you're gonna have to back it off a bit it's very very slippery. The other thing we've got Causeway they can be slippery and they'll have water over them so take it easy.

Mat Moss · 933 views

It's stunning the geography out here is just so extraordinarily different and beautiful, the Rolling Hills and all the gravel and all the granite Mounds they're just beautiful to see. I kept wanting to stop and take photos.

The Saddlers MTB Club · 1.1K views

The scenery around there was absolutely stunning, every time you went around a corner you just saw more hills and you didn't know where to look, just beautiful views left and right with a lot of gravel and water crossings as well.

Tri Fit · 1.6K views

You know some people might think that they can't enter a race like this because they're not good enough but you know anyone can do this race there were sections on road so you know as long as you can ride a bike you could actually do it it didn't really matter how long you took there was a cut off but uh it was a really generous cut off

Tri Fit · 1.6K views
Gravel n Granite, Tenterfield // I Think I Smiled the Whole Way
Tri Fit · 1.6K views · 9:21
GRAVEL AND GRANITE CYCLING EVENT - TENTERFIELD 2023
The Saddlers MTB Club · 1.1K views · 3:33
The Tenterfield Gravel n Granite 2023 Through Our Eyes
Mat Moss · 933 views · 9:47
RACER

Racer Reviews

Raced Gravel n Granite? Be the first to rate it.
[07]

Training

March 6, 2027 GRAVEL N GRANITE
RIDERS REPORT
Many riders use mountain bikes successfully - the event seems welcoming to mountain bikes when gravel bikes aren't available.
Layering strategy mentioned: base layer, jersey, and wind vest with arm warmers, though rider removed wind vest and considered dropping arm warmers as conditions warmed.
[08]

Train for Gravel n Granite

RACE DEMAND PROFILE

Durability
2
Climbing
5
VO2 Power
2
Threshold
6
Technical
6
Heat
0
Altitude
4
Race Specificity
3
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[09]

Race Logistics

Airport
Brisbane (BNE) 3 hours
Lodging
Tenterfield has limited lodging options. Plan ahead.
Food
Tenterfield has limited dining options. Stock nutrition.
Packet Pickup
Day of typically
Parking
At start/finish
RIDERS REPORT
There are two feed stations on the 65k course where you can refill water bottles and get bananas, fruit, and lollies.
Expect strong headwinds that can significantly impact difficulty and pacing throughout the race.
Roads aren't closed to public traffic, but car encounters are minimal - expect maybe 4-5 cars that are friendly and wave.
Watch for wildlife and livestock - you might come around a corner and face cows on the course.
[10]

Tire Picks

40mmWET
1
Vittoria Terreno Wet
40mm · $80 · 39W
excellent wet grip
2
Schwalbe G-One Overland
40mm · $70 · 40W
excellent wet grip
3
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S
40mm · $74
excellent wet grip
FRONT/REAR SPLIT Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 44mm / Vittoria Terreno Wet 40mmFaster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
[—]

Similar Races

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Frequently Asked Questions

The March date places the event in variable New England high-country conditions. Historical event footage reports strong wind, water crossings, and slippery surfaces, supporting a mild but real weather-management penalty without claiming that old conditions will define 2027.[1]

The organizer has fixed the event in Tenterfield for March 5-7, 2027 and identifies Saturday as the gravel-course day, but start times, registration, final route files, aid, and cutoff remain unpublished. The rural setting still requires advance travel planning.[1]

Basket Swamp Bash creek crossing and sweeping national park views deliver backcountry character. The Range Rumble winds through protected granite country where organizers emphasize focus "on the adventure and the landscape around you" rather than pure racing. Creek depths vary with conditions, adding weather-dependent adventure elements.[1]

Sixth edition of a regional event where organizers explicitly welcome "gravel bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, and adaptive bikes." It's "organised to be as welcoming as possible to all riders, regardless of their FTP," with prizes only for fastest two per category, confirming participation over competitive depth.[1]

If you're local to NSW—yes, it's solid. If you're traveling—skip it.

[11]

Sources & Citations

Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.

  1. Official Organizer homepage: March 5-7, 2027, Saturday gravel courses, distances, terrain, and weekend formatwww.gravelngranite.com.au/
  2. Other Sources Driveinlanddriveinland.com.au/events/sporting-events/gravel-n-granit...
  3. Other Sources Flowmountainbibeflowmountainbibe.com/post-all/gravel-n-granite-is-returns...
  4. Other Sources Flowmountainbikeflowmountainbike.com/post-all/gravel-n-granite-is-returns...
  5. Other Sources Thesaddlersmtbclubthesaddlersmtbclub.com.au/gravel-n-granite-3
  6. Other Sources Nswwww.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/nsw-events/grav...