TRUE GRIT #4
I live in a semi-rural area called Highvale. It’s in the hinterland about 40 minutes west of Brisbane. That's Brisbane in Queensland, Brisbane in Australia. A million people, a beautiful climate and a place that's great for all kinds of cycling.
I didn't really start until I was about 21 but I was hooked from my very first ride. Just the sense of adventure and being outdoors.
It gets me out in nature and takes me places that people wouldn’t normally visit. The best way to see the world is on a bike.
There’s nothing more meditative than listening to the endless crunch of gravel under your tires. Gravel riding is the most peaceful kind of riding where I feel most immersed in my environment.
It’s bike riding in its simplest, purest form: Just me, my machine, my thoughts and my surroundings.
The best thing is simply the freedom.
When I’m out bush I need to rely on my gear to get me home no matter what.
I usually ride quite long distances and I’m often pushing hard.
The route I took is special because it captures everything that’s beautiful about where I live.
I want to look back at the map and see how far from civilisation I’ve been .
I’ve ridden all over, in some amazing places.
We have a beautiful National Park at our doorstep. It has lots of climbing and descending and plenty of challenges.
Views all the way to the ocean, incredible subtropical rainforest, peaceful rolling hills in the valley, and the old timber-getters’ trails through the bush.
Sometimes there really is no place like home.
I’m always prepared for every eventuality because a lot of my rides take me waaay off the beaten track and out of mobile reception – I need to be able to fix anything that goes wrong!
I take a full kit of tools and spares, lots of good snacks, some cash – oh and water purifying tablets - there’s not a lot of taps on my rides!
TRUE GRIT #1
Gravel is hard on your whole body and requires skill as there is so much variances in what is under the wheels.
TRUE GRIT #2
I escape with just the basics: a bottle, a survival kit, something to snack on, and then we’re off on the wild roads.
WHAT IS GRAVEL ?
The definition of gravel cycling is wide. Gravel is all things to all riders, it can be what you want it to be.
TRUE GRIT #3
Riding gravel requires a heightened sense of attention to anticipate how the bike is moving below you.
