Thunderbolts Adventure Ride
Everything you need to know about NSW’s Mid-North Coast gravel dream ride: the Thunderbolts Adventure
Words - James Raison
Images - @bobbarrettphotos
Welcome back gravel fans to our updated Thunderbolts Adventure preview! For obvious reasons the first planned event was delayed, but now is back on the calendar. We’re stoked. We need these events to look forward to. Let’s jump back in then.
We (re-)caught up with Thunderbolts Adventure co-creator, co-organiser, and Graveleur beard-in-chief James Wilson (@jr_w) to talk about the (once again) up-and-coming gravel adventure ride held in the Barrington Tops region - mid North Coast, New South Wales.
It sounds incredible. Don’t expect this event to stay small for long.
Behold the beard of @jr_w!
ABOUT
The Thunderbolts Adventure is 227 km, 5,000-ish vertical metre, semi-supported gravel overnighter that rolls from Gloucester through the Barrington Tops National Park and stays at Moonan Flat - a locale with a pub, cafe, and post office. The Victoria Hotel Moonan Flat plays a crucial logistical and philosophical role, as @jr_w explains “Numbers have increased to try and drink the pub out of beer. We haven’t managed it yet but we always give it a shot!”
On a serious note, riders can either stay at the pub (which is basically booked out already) or have sleeping gear transported to the pub so they can camp out the back. There’s even some tech support with the sleeping gear transported by a bike mechanic. The pub also caters dinner and breakfast for riders.
The following morning, riders shakily saddle up and roll back down - with plentiful ups as well - to the finishing point in Gloucester. Expect plenty of banter and a substantial amount of pub dinner to be consumed among the newly made friends.
But what about the riding?
“Undulating, almost endless gravel roads. They just keep unfolding. Every corner you turn around and go… wow…”
Its journey from Gloucester into the high country sees multiple climates and variable conditions. The Gloucester side can be basking in glorious warm sunshine but attendees might ride up into deep winter with the highest elevation equal to the New South Wales snowfields. One thing’s for sure, the event photos from “Bob Barrett” (@bobbarrettphotos) are staggering.
There’s not many more superlatives we can think of to describe the riding so we’ll let you drink in the images.
HISTORY
The Thunderbolts original inspiration was triggered by a search for a downed plane. Co-creator Geoff Mallinson has been part of a volunteer rescue organisation based around the Barrington Tops for several years. He was involved in many weekends of the rescue in the region, and what he saw convinced him that a gravel fondo had to be made.
“It’s changed from being a stupid one-day ride, to being a stupid two-day ride. It’s become more accessible to more people looking to get into gravel rather than being fringe nutters.”
Its first edition was a punishing 227 km with 5,000 metre vertical gain. Its beauty stunned the initial 39 participants but their enjoyment was curtailed by the sheer difficulty. The second edition in 2018 saw Mike Israel (@mikejisrael) join the Graveleur team to run the event, which had 14 riders complete the demanding one-day format. Organisers tweaked the event for the next edition and split it into the two-day format for over 90 riders who rolled out in 2019. Each year sees tweaks to the event and enough adjustment to the course to keep it interesting.
2020 EDITION
The big news is the original 4 & 5 April calendar slot getting moved to 14-15 November.
There’s still roughly 170 people maintaining their spot for the event after booking its first April date, because of course they would, and the entry cap is still 200. There’s already a significant wait list but you can always add yourself to it by emailing info@graveleur.cc.
Part proceeds from the 2020 will go towards drought relief in the Barrington Tops area.
You can check out the course below - but ignore the elevation profile because the course freaked out when put into RideWithGPS.
GEAR
“A gravel bike running 650b is the ideal bike. However, we’ve had fat bikes, MTBs, vintage CX, roadies on 28mm even plus size 29er single speeds. It’s a ‘run what you brung’ kind of vibe.”
Here’s James’s own rig; a tasty Curve GXR Ti running 650b. Mike’s rig is also a Curve GXR to complete the Kevin-domination.
SPONSORS
All grass-roots events need a helping hand and the Thunderbolts Adventure has had one of the finest hands in the business; Curve Cycling. They came on board in the first edition and have supported the ride ever since. Naturally, the Victoria Hotel Moonan Flat Pub is an eternal supporter and gives riders food, shelter, and encouraging pats on the back. The event has also been supported by the Roundabout Inn in Gloucester. 2020 sees a host of new sponsors getting behind the event; gravel tyre heroes at Panaracer, the world’s coolest bike bag makers skingrowsback, quality friction fighters Smoove Lube, adventure illumination experts KLite, and puerveyors of fine beverages New England Brewing Co. NSW State Forests are also supporting the event with some reduced fees, planning, and logistical help.
FOLLOW
Be sure the sterling folks from Graveleur to keep up with all the great stuff they’re doing:
