Marys Mayhem FAQs
Heading into our 3rd year now, we’re excited to announce a NEW date for this ever popular event and make it the grand finale of our Bushranger Gravel series. With loads of champagne gravel, close proximity to Sydney and Newcastle, local food & drink vendors and plenty of support from the local community this is an event you don’t want to miss!
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Book your accommodation around the Mudgee/Rylstone region. There are plenty of accommodation options in town. Try Booking.com, AirBnb.com or contact Bliss Stays in Mudgee
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Go to the course page and select your course. Download the map onto your bicycle computer.
Now you are ready to enter!
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This event is open to all cyclists from those who like to just cruise through to the highly experienced racer. You will need a moderate level of fitness.
Riders who turn 12 years or greater before the event date are welcome to join in with parent supervision.
Further to that, riders 12-17 years of age on event day are able to join the Medium or Long course with parent approval.
The process is:
Enter your child in the Short Course.
Send an email to the organiser requesting an upgrade to Medium or Long Course and that you assume all responsibility for the child’s well being.
No special treatment will be provided. Your child will receive the same support on course as any other rider. You are invited to be on course to support your child so long as it does not interfere with the wider field or riders.
Check and confirm your child is registered in the requested category at registration.
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Graveleur events are fully supported but we expect a certain level of self-sufficiency. After all, completing the ride under your own steam is always more satisfying.
You need some basic knowledge or at least be accompanied by someone who:
Understands how to fuel and hydrate your body for an extended ride on hilly gravel roads
Knows how to navigate using their bicycle computer of phone.
Has a reasonable level of mechanical know-how in case you need to perform running repairs on your bicycle e.g., punctures, ripped tyres, broken chains, non-functioning gears.
Plan to be self-sufficient. You need to navigate your way along the course as there will be limited route markings. You will need to carry your own nutrition and hydration. We would recommend a minimum of 2 x 1 litre bidons. You need to carry sensible protective clothing. Plan for all four seasons in one day You need to carry any spares that you feel you might conceivably need on the day. Your bike should be 100% serviced and ready for a long ride in harsh conditions.
There will be a Feed Zone on each day at around the half way mark where you can refill bottles and get some snacks.
We will have a sweep car drive through after the event on both days, to make sure everyone is back safely, but you could be waiting a long time for this car to come through and it may not have space for you and your bike, so don’t rely on this as a sag wagon. It is primarily there as a backup for anyone who is in serious need of assistance.
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We used to have a paper based system, but these days we’re running an automated timing and tracking system. Just leave your number on all weekend and be sure to cross the timing mats at the start and finish.
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The majority of this event will take place on public back roads within a 50km radius of Mudgee & Rylstone. There is some 4WD traffic on these roads. There are a few odd remote residences but we would not advise you to rely on these for help. Please try not to bother the locals and stay off private property. Saturday's medium and long courses pass through the town of Gulgong so you can stop & re-stock there if needed but Sunday's course is all out bush so make use of the feed zones.
Mobile reception is pretty good along the way and unlike our other events the need for an EPIRB/Inreach/Spot is not mandatory.
We still recommend riding in pairs and/or within sight of another rider for safety. Be sure to download the Rider guide that will be released in the week leading up to the event.
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The route is perfect for a Gravel Bike, Cyclocross or Mountain Bike – consider running the biggest rubber that will fit your frame. As a minimum we would recommend at least 38mm tyres with some tread (ie. not slicks).
Please don’t bring your roadie, even if you have 28mm tyres on it. We are aiming to stick almost entirely to back roads that are frequently used by farming vehicles. Mostly they are well graded. In the dry they are usually quite smooth and a joy to ride but as with any dirt road, corrugations, rocky sections and potholes can be a regular occurence.
Do not let the absence of a gravel bike in your stable prevent you from coming. A mountain bike would be fine and the routes we have designed should be quite manageable for an intermediate rider on an MTB. It may not be as quick on the open roads, but the bigger rubber will provide a smoother ride.
Note: Unlike Thunderbolts Adventure, this event is designed to be far more accessible with 3 different course distances and a central event hub so that you don’t have to carry any luggage on your bike. There is something for everyone at Marys Madness, e-bikes and adaptives welcome.
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The roads can be of varying quality at any given time depending on recent weather and when they were last graded, so expect everything from lovely smooth crunchy gravel to more technical descents with embedded sharp rocks, water bars, diagonal ruts.
KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1.) KEEP LEFT. These are open roads and the locals just love rounding a blind corner and seeing a cyclist on the wrong side of the road on a collision course with a bullbar.
2.) SLOW DOWN. Most crashes occur when someone gets too excited on a descent. It only takes a stick, a rock, a rut or a cattle grid to really ruin your day.
3.) GET GOOD BRAKES. Consider getting your brakes professionaly serviced before the ride. Everything else we can probably fix, but worn pads, sticky pistons and brakes in need of a bleed are very hard to fix once you are out there.
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Everything to get you through the ride, but if your bike is well maintained then punctures are the main thing you need to be prepared for. Keeping in mind that there are no bike shops along the way, consider your worst case scenario and plan for that. For example, let’s say you have been unlucky and had a few punctures. You are on your own, you are out of tubes and canisters. If you have a hand pump and some patches you might be able to repair a tube to get you out of trouble. A $5.00 note is always handy for blocking a torn sidewall. Tubeless setup for tyres is recommended.
Other spares you might consider would be a chain breaker, a spare quick link and a spare Derailleur hanger.
We also have on course Mechanical Support in case you need help.
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Our timing system will tell us if you DNS or DNF, but a simple text message to the organiser with you name letting us know you are not continuing is a nice courtesy
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We would say Yes. You will most likely reach the end of the stage each day well before it gets dark but lights are a good safety measure. We recommend front (white) and rear (red) flashing lights with 4 hours capacity.
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Graveleur works closely with AusCycling and obtains Public Liability insurance through them. This provides Public Liability Insurance for the organiser Graveleur Pty Ltd.
For this event we are also asking riders to ensure they have some form of riding license.
If you join AusCycling, there are a number of licenses that are suitable for this event:
“RACE OFF ROAD” license will allow you to race any Aus Cycling affiliated MTB, Gravel, CX or BMX event.
“RACE ALL DISCIPLINES” license will allow you to race all of the above plus ROAD CYCLING EVENTS
“LIFESTYLE” license social, Leisure of Commuting riding on any kind of bike
“DAY LICENSES” can also be purchased as part of your entry fee.
As a minimum you need option 3 or 4 above. Alternatively you can arrange a free trial license from AusCycling. We will also accept a license from another cycling peak body such as Bicycle NSW or Bicycle Network.
You can see a summary of the insurance options from AusCycling here. Please review and choose the right license for your circumstances.
You should also consider taking out Private Health Insurance with ambulance cover.
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Our events now tend to follow the "Race on Saturday, Cruise on Sunday" mantra. There will be timing and prizes for Saturday.
In essence, feel free to ride as fast or as slow as you like, it’s your ride to enjoy.
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Yes you can choose to ride a different length course on the two days. We suggest you enter the longer option that you are considering and then if you want to ride a shorter option on Sunday, just let us know at registration and we’ll adjust your entry. Note there is no long course on Sunday. We want to make it enjoyable and relaxing so you are back at the event centre early enough to enjoy lunch and then head home in no hurry.
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Yes it is an AusCycling sanctioned event. There will be official timing on Saturday and series points awarded to the top ten male and female finishers on the Long course.
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The cost for the event (regardless of course distance) is:
Early bird pricing – $179
Standard Pricing – $219
(One Day option – $129/$159)
Team Discount: 10% for a group of 5 or more riders registered in one transaction. Choose someone from your tribe to create a team and enter 5 riders. Then share your team code with others.
Family Discount: 2-4 riders at the same address. 25% discount for riders 2-4 registered in one transaction. Choose "Family" option for all entries in one transaction, then tell us what course you want to ride at Event rego
Your entry includes:
2 days of riding on a fully vetted gravel course
professional photographer who will share the photos with you for free after the event
Feed zone on course, mechanical support
event insurance and all site access permits and
a goodie bag and heaps of giveaways!
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Please book your own accommodation in the Mudgee or Rylstone region. The Rylstone start on Sunday morning is about a 40min drive from Mudgee, but it's in the general direction back to Sydney, which should reduce your travel time getting home on Sunday if you're travelling from that area.
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Unlike Thunderbolts Adventure, there is no tent drop required and you don’t have to carry a lot of camping gear on your bike. A recommended list of gear on your bike would include:
Cycling apparel including Helmet, gloves, glasses
Spare tube and means of inflating flat tyre, multitool, spare hanger, chain quick link
Food and water (2L)
Clothing layers for warmth on the bike
Lights
1st Aid Kit (optional but recommended)
GPS bike computer (Garmin/Wahoo/Hammerhead) and mobile phone.
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Yes you need to train for this event. You might think you are fit but if you havent ridden this far on gravel, you might be in for a bit of a reality check.
PLEASE don’t make this your biggest ever gravel ride. Your entry fee does not entitle you to have the Event Director shadow you for 3 hours, because you are 1 hour behind the rest of the field. He has 200+ other riders that might need a little support.
Be wise, be considerate and go conservative.
Have a look at our training guide here, we recommend starting this minimum 8 weeks out from the event.
If you are attempting the Long Course, you will need to maintain a pace of 20 kph for the first 40km to make the time cut.
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If you wish to withdraw from a Graveleur event up to 14 days prior to the event (or greater), you shall advise the Organiser by email info@graveleur.cc. A refund of the entry fee less a $20 administration fee will apply.
If you wish to withdraw from this event within 14 days from the event start date any decision to refund any part of the entry fee (including nil) is at the sole discretion of the Organiser. As standard we will offer a transfer to one of our next two events.
The Organiser, in its sole discretion, may delay, modify, or cancel the Event if it believes the conditions prior to the event day will be unsafe. If the Event is delayed, modified, or cancelled for any reason, including but not limited to acts of God or the elements (including without limitation, wind, rough water, rain, hail, hurricane, tornado, earthquake), acts of terrorism, fire, threatened or actual strike, labour difficulty, work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, flood, unavoidable casualty, pandemic, event course conditions, or any other cause beyond the control of the Organiser, participants may request a refund of any participant entry fees or choose to transfer their paid entry to a future event. There will be no payment for any other costs incurred by participants in connection with the event.
The Organiser, in its sole discretion, may delay, modify, or cancel the Event if it believes the conditions on the event day are or will be unsafe following the commencement of the event. If, the Event is delayed, modified, or cancelled for any reason, including but not limited to acts of God or the elements including without limitation, wind, rough water, rain, hail, hurricane, tornado, earthquake), acts of terrorism, fire, threatened or actual strike, labour difficulty, work stoppage, insurrection, war, public disaster, flood, unavoidable casualty, pandemic, event course conditions, or any other cause beyond the control of the Organiser there will be no refund of any participant entry fees paid. There will be no payment for any other costs incurred by participants in connection with the event.
Entries are non-transferable to another rider EXCEPT via the entry system. A transfer fee shall apply to riders transferring their entry to another rider. For riders who independently give their entry to a new rider outside of the entry system, the entry shall be invalid and the new rider shall not be permitted to start. Discount codes used in conjunction with an entry are subject to final approval by the organiser. A discount may be refused and an entry may be cancelled if it is clear a discount code has been used by an unauthorised entrant.
Note that Transaction fees included in your entry fee are not refundable
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