You can take part too
If you've got a mountain bike or gravel bike and want to test your skills, Bicycling Australia has the event for you.
Bicycling Australia has announced the addition of a gravel event to the popular Clare Classic Gran Fondo for South Australia.
Known as 'Dirty Clare', the ride is proposed for Saturday, April 4, the day before Clare Classic's Sunday ride.
Event director Pat Jonker - a five-time Tour de France participant and absolute gravel connoisseur - has devised a 72km back road route that showcases the best of the Clare Valley.
Couple this with one of Sunday's three Gran Fondo courses - 50km, 110km and 160km - and April 4 and 5 will be the premiere cycling weekend in South Australia's calendar.
Finishing at Clare Town Oval, the gravel event is expected to take riders between three and four hours to complete and will pass through some of the best scenery the Clare Valley has to offer.
With varying surfaces and over 1000m of elevation, the 'Dirty Clare' is not only an exciting challenge but the perfect warm up for Sunday's main event.
Pat Jonker said 28mm tyres were recommended for the gravel event and participants without the luxury of a gravel-specific bike can take on both the Dirty Clare and Clare Classic courses on the same bike. Those with a gravel, CX or MTB are encouraged to bring it along.
Register for both the Saturday Dirty Clare and Sunday ride to receive discounted entry.
For further details about the Dirty Clare visit www.clareclassic.com.au/dirtyclare
Clare Classic was held in the region in 2018 and, with further support of the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council and the state government it will be held again in 2020.
The 2018 event saw several hundred take part in hot conditions, with drink and food stations at various settlements along the way.
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The Clare Classic is one of four cycling Gran Fondo events for the media brand, others including the Bowral Classic, Noosa Classic and Mudgee Classic, making it the largest platform of cycling events in Australia.