The Rockleigh 105 / Gravelfest will be back in 2023 on Saturday 9th September with the Jekyll and Hyde Enduro ride and the sunset Classic Night Grinder. Sunday, 10th September will conclude with the tenth anniversary of the Rockleigh 105 Gravel Grind.
The Southern Mount Lofty (Rockleigh) Ranges have presented themselves to all gravel grinding, Le Gravèurs aficionados to endure an epic fondo adventure of joyous undulations, vistas, ridge tops and valleys. Of course, all en grave…
LOCATION: Monarto Sports Complex (Schenscher Rd, Monarto) Off S.E.Fwy/Old Princes Hwy
Jekyll & Hyde Enduro Ride, 5 stages (Saturday Sep 9th)
All riders commence the ride neutral stage from Ride H.Q.. at 13:00hrs. This is Gravel v MTb - Jekyll Vs Hyde… Evenly matched terrain to suit either steed.
Registration time: 11:00am-12:45pm
Cut-Off is 4 hrs riders to be back by 17:00hrs (18km of Stages, 13.5km ride neutral)
Sunset Night Grinder 40km (Saturday Sep 9th)
All riders commence the ride from Ride H.Q.. at 17:45hrs
Registration time: 16:30pm-17:30pm
Mad Dog Miler 160 km, (Sunday Sep 10th)
All ridersfor the Mad Dog start together
Registration time: 05:30am-05:45am or day/night before
Briefing time: Start chute, 05:50am
Start time: 06:00am
cut off pace 12 hours (14kph)
Rockleigh 105 km, (Sunday Sep 10th)
All riders from 105 start together
Registration time: 07:00am-07:45am
Briefing time: Start chute, 07:50am
Start time: 08:00am
Rockleigh 65 km, 45km and 21km (Sunday Sep 10th)
All riders from each start group start together
Registration time: 08:00am-08:45am
Briefing time: Start chute, 08:50am
Start time: 09:00am
MAPS:
Location:
Ride HQ will be held at the Monarto Sports Complex, Schenscher Rd, Monarto. Access is via the Monarto exit of the SE Fwy, cross the Old Princes Hwy and turn right into the complex where marshals will direct parking. The event village has good facilities including halls, toilets, children’s playground and bbq provisions.
Ride HQ is where riders will register, deregister and gather for lunch/dinner, camping and upon completing the challenge, riders will be able to hand in their ticket for their meal (included in entry price) challenge merchandise this year will be available on registration.
All riders note that the Ride HQ is a ride neutral zone. All rides start and finish at Ride H.Q. but as this is not a race… We ask that you not put the pedal to the metal until you reach Hartmanns Rd and upon finishing, make sure you take your foot off the gas at the end of Hartmanns Rd. Schensher Rd is 100km per hour and many people use this road to short cut through to Mannum.. All riders need to sign “off course” at the start/finishing chute as directed at the finish.
Merchandise:
TBC - working on some sweet 10th anniversary gear for you all!
FINISH:
Riders finish the course at Ride HQ. Upon finishing, riders names will be recorded and given a time for interest sake.. (remember not a race…) Please remember to cut off and hand in your timing chip at the end of your ride to get your lunch and avoid a fee for any lost timing chips.
Any rider who withdraws from the event for any reason whatsoever, must notify Ride HQ Director on 0431 638 721 so we do not coming looking for you after the event. As part of your entry, a meal will be served upon finishing along with a beverage of choice to re-hydrate. coffee and additional food will be available to purchase on the day also. Sunday (11am to 4pm). Pre-ride Coffee from 07:00am
CAR PARKING, ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC:
There will be ample car parking at the event Ride H.Q. located within the grounds of the Monarto Sports Complex. We ask all entrants to enter the complex via the (1st entry) southern entry where you will be then directed by marshals to the parking areas.
As this is a challenge ride of sorts, and not a race. All roads travelled on this ride are public roads and traffic may be encountered. There are no road closures in place. Please follow all local road rules and be careful at intersections, blind corners and hill crests etc. Whilst warning signs will be in place and marshals located at major intersections, we still require you to be careful out there and courteous of all road users. Locals will be advised of the event and many will be volunteering their time to help run the event. Offer a friendly smile and a hello. There should be minimal traffic during the event and given its location however, there may be the occasional driver unaware of the event in progress.
We strongly advise and ask all riders to carry and have on at all times at least a rear flashing red light and even front white lights. Early starters may encounter fog and slow riders may return close to dusk.
Hydration and nutrition stations:
Mad Dog Miler riders:
Hydration/snack stations are provided on the day. Cut-off times will be applied and riders short coursed. (easy to drop a loop)
· Feed Station 1. Wirilda Rd (51km & 63km)
· Feed Station 2. Rockleigh CFS Station: 82km/105km/132km
Cut off pace 14kph - 18:00hrs
Cut off 1: 12:00midday 82km (skip North Loop 23k)
Cut off 2: 13:30pm 105km (skip North East Loop 27k)
105km riders:
Hydration/snack stations are provided on the day.
· Feed Station 1. 30km, revisit at 43km on way back (Mandatory rider sign in on way in and back)
· Feed Station 2. 61km, revisit at 73km on way back (Mandatory rider sign in on way in and back) at Rockleigh CFS Station
65km Riders: (67km)
Fruit, chips, biscuits, lollies and hydration will be available at the following point:
Feed Station 1 33km
o (Mandatory rider sign in) NEW Rockleigh CFS Station near corner of Black Heath and Pyms Rd
45km (46km) and 21km Riders:
You should be carrying enough of your own hydration and snacks to get you through your ride. Call ride HQ if you get desperate on 0431 638 721
On course support:
There will be the Dirty Possum mobile sag wagon following the full course.You need to be able to fix your own mechanicals whilst on course. Please offer your assistance to anyone in need.
There will be first aid/sag wagon following the riders. Please call Ride H.Q. on 0431 638 721 with any issues relating to support/injuries.
First Aid Points:
First Aid will be roaming the course and contactable via marshall points or via race director on 0431 638 721. For emergencies please dial 000 first then immediately notify the race director of your situation and location.. Take note road signs as you go otherwise send another rider to locate the nearest marker/marshall so first aid/medics can be advised on your where abouts. GPS/cycle meters are highly advisable.
RIDE RULES
The following ride rules apply to all competitors in either the Rockleigh 105km or the 65km Rockleigh Mid:
Riders must ride the complete course as marked and directed, passing through all checkpoints on your course. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the correct course is followed
Compulsory checkpoints are at hydration/nutrition stations and other key locations (For 67km and 105km riders only)
o 30km & 43km (Wirilda Way feed station)
o 61km & 73km (New Rockleigh CFS Sation) before you climb Mt Beevor Loop
65km riders need only check in at the 33km feed station at the Rockleigh CFS Station
All riders must wear a certified bike helmet at ALL times.
All riders must carry the listed compulsory equipment for the entire race.
Riders who withdraw at any time after the start must advise a marshal of their withdrawal immediately.
Riders may accept any mechanical assistance on the course.
For the 105km ride, cut-off times will be strictly enforced as listed below:
Australian Road Rules apply at all times on all roads, tracks and trails.
Only registered riders, marshals or officials may ride on the course.
CUT OFF TIMES
For the Rockleigh 105km ride, cut-off times will be strictly enforced as follows: (Mad Dod Miler tba)
Riders will be short coursed at Rockleigh CFS Station at 1pm. (12.5kph) You will just miss the 12km farm loop and climb up Pym Rd
EQUIPMENT LIST
Pre ride equipment checks
Don’t forget to double check your bike for any mechanical issues before the race. Take your bike to your nearest bike shop for a tune up before the race to make sure it’s running sweetly.
Things to carry with you
Compulsory equipment to carry
Aust Standard Helemet
Lights for night riding
A First Aid kit comprising: 1 x crepe bandages suitable length for snake bites, 2 x non-adhesive wound dressings,
At least one 600ml bottles of water and/or sports drink at the start of the event – even more if it is a hot day and you drink a lot!
Recommended things to carry with you:
•Sunscreen and sunglasses.
•Food and nutrition to last you until you reach the hydration/nutrition points –
•Bike pump, tyre levers, at least one spare inner tube and puncture repair kit.
•Chain breaker, allen key set, small bottle of bike lube, and a spare derailleur hanger in case you break it or bend it. (Also well worth knowing how to use your tools!)
•Rain jacket and/or thermal top and bottom (weather dependent).
•Mobile phone (there is mobile phone reception at most points around the course – yay!). please upload gpx file from strava onto youtr device in case you get lost. Many have before and ended up way off course. This is your fault, not ours!
•Emergency space blanket
Event withdrawal for non emergency reasons
If you wish to withdraw from the event because of fatigue, mechanical failure, an injury or any other reason AFTER YOU HAVE REGISTERED please tell a ride official. We need to keep track of what riders are out on the course.
If you started the ride and are out on the course and want to withdraw please tell the next marshal (who has mobile communication). MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE NEAREST CHECKPOINT as indicated on the maps above. For non emergency withdrawals we can only arrange for a ‘grim sweeper’ to come and pick you up from the course.
If you get lost or lose the course
If you think you are lost or have gone the wrong way we suggest you follow these procedures.
Don’t get lost! pre download a mapping app with offline access of the course. You can download the gpx file from Strava, gpx files will be emailed out the week preceeding the event. Don’t risk it, it makes for a shitty day if you end up 25km off course!
STOP! Sit down, have a drink of water and assess the situation with a clear mind. Consider where you are.
Think about where you last saw a road sign – how far back do you think it was (200m, 700m or 2km?) go to it. Call event director, tell me where you are. (drop a pin on google maps or similar and i’ll tell you howto get back. Don’t risk it, get a map app on your phone and download the map/gpx file from strava and have the ability to use it offline if you are not in reception.
When you are certain you have gone wrong backtrack along the exact route you came. Be aware of how far back you have gone and try to limit yourself to what you decided. Use your bike computer or look at your watch for time. GET and be comfortable with & USE A MAPPING APP!
Mechanical repairs
If you have ‘a mechanical’ out on the course, you are entitled to accept the assistance of other riders and still continue. If you have a mechanical failure, cannot fix it out on the course and are taken to the Ride H.Q. by outside assistance (eg in the sag wagon or in someone else’s car) to get your bike fixed but wish to continue with your ride:
advise an official when you get to the Ride H.Q.
please notify officials of your intended route choice before you recommence your ride from the Ride H.Q.
It is the rider’s responsibility to carry sufficient tools with you and fix your own bike if you experience any mechanical failures.
Mobile Coverage
There is a fair-to-good mobile phone coverage on course for Telstra 3G/4G customers. At Ride H.Q. you should have no problems with coverage. We recommend getting to higher ground on the course for best reception if needed for Telstra and Optus users.
Remember to have fun and enjoy the ride! Have a smile on your face and thank the volunteers.