Gravel

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

GRAVEL TOUR

12th – 17th March 2024

LOCATION: Anglesea – Port Campbell VIC (Return)
DURATION: 6 days
GROUP: 8-20 Riders
DISTANCE: 60-110 km per day
ELEVATION: 800 m – 2600 m per day
FITNESS: 🌶🌶🌶 (Intermediate – Advanced)
SKILLS: Confident on Gravel Roads
ACCOMODATION: 4-star

All Inclusive: $3,960*

_{*Pricing is for twin share. Limited single rooms available for an additional single supplement of $600.
PLEASE NOTE: This trip requires a minimum of 8 guests to book before it is guaranteed to run. In the highly unlikely case that we do not have 8 confirmed guests 35 days prior to departure, we will refund any payments made by guests booked onto this trip and cancel or postpone the journey.}

There’s something magical about riding through the Great Ocean Road Region…

The raw beauty of the place somehow sucks you in, tickles your senses and ignites a primal sense of joy.

Maybe it’s the luminescent greens of the rainforest, the expansive turquoise views, the silver haze of mountain mist… or the “champagne gravel” that twists through it all.

Whatever it is, this is, without doubt, one of the best gravel-riding playgrounds in the world. We’re proud to call it our home – and we can’t wait to share it with you!

In this 6-day, all inclusive (guided) gravel journey, you’ll pedal through the largely undiscovered heart of the Otways National Park. And you’ll see, feel, taste and marvel at the best this area has to offer.

Trip highlights

Stunning landscapes and “natural wonders” at every turn – like the towering mountain ash, The 12 Apostles, the rugged coastline of Johanna, Triplet Falls, Cape Otway lighthouse, the wildflower heath… the list goes on and on.
QUIET roads. You’ll be hard pressed to find a car on the gravel sections of this trip.
Close encounters with local wildlife – we’re very likely to see koalas, yellow-tail-black cockatoos, echidnas, wallabys, kangaroos, platypus (and more).
Ride fast (30km/h+) – OR – slow (<15km/h) – OR – anywhere in-between. We’ll make sure you get the riding experience you’re after (and won’t leave you riding alone!).
Tailor your daily distance to suit your endurance You can cut any day short and be shuttled to accommodation. Or do “extras” if you’re a sucker for suffering. We’ll support you either way.
All logistics, safety & mechanical support done for you – just turn up and push the pedals!
Nourishing & healthy “family-style” meals for breakfast, lunch & dinner (we aim to tickle your tastebuds with local food while fuelling big days in the saddle.)
Huge range of on-the-bike nutrition provided (Rule #1: thou shall not bonk!).
Unique 4-star accommodation – rest and recuperate in one-of-a-kind, “quintessentially Otways” hotels, coastal cottages & glamping.
Likeminded, fun & friendly co-riders – we know that the PEOPLE are what make or break a group trip like this. Luckily the “birds of a feather flock together” and these trips tend to attract people that are bound to get along.
Local trip leaders and guides who know the area backwards – these are ‘our’ roads, we ride them daily, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Your Journey Day-by-Day

Anglesea to Sugarloaf

via Aireys Inlet and Lorne

80 km 1,600 m

Our first ride is a spectacular yet punchy 80 km. We’ll kick off by taking the “road less travelled” out of the township of Anglesea, through the wildflower heathlands, then back to the coast at the stunning cliff top lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. From there, our road heads upwards into the towering forests of the Otway hinterland before descending into Lorne for a snack overlooking the turquoise waters of Loutitt Bay. Finally, we hug the coastline on the famous Great Ocean Road, over Mount Defiance Lookout and Cape Patton (spectacular!) all the way to our night’s accommodation – a refurbished monastery complete with private, panoramic ocean views. It’s the perfect location for a well earned beer and some sustenance with new friends!

Sugarloaf to Sugarloaf

via Forrest and Apollo Bay

58-107 km 2,500 m

Day 2 is “Queen’s Stage” of the trip! 107 km of magic gravel with a solid dose of climbing (don’t worry, there are plenty of shortcuts and bailouts). From Kennett River, you’ll enjoy a steady climb past the resident koalas as the ocean recedes into the background and the clean forest air fills your working lungs. You’ll zip underneath towering Eucalyptus, Giant Beech and Blackwoods as the climbing continues. Then, after “topping out” at a high-point of 630m, it’s time to release the brakes and let out a “wahoooo” as you float your way passed the still waters of Lake Elizabeth and into the township of Forrest – time for a refuel at the local brewery. (There’s also a shorter, ~58 KM option that bypasses Forrest.) After lunch it’s back over the main range (via a new, Western route this time) before a thrilling, flowy descent down to the charming seaside town of Apollo Bay – famous for its succulent seafood (we ride so we can eat more, right?).

Cape Patton to Johanna

via Cape Otway

72-100 km 1,800 m

If you’ve seen Lord of the Rings, Day 3 is a bit like riding through the rolling green hills of The Shire – if only The Shire was surrounded by white beaches and crystal clear sapphire water! Weaving our way through the hinterland, we’ll get off the beaten path and see sites that most regular-travellers never see like the expansive fern trees on Turtans Track and the winding catchment of the Aire River. We’ll then emerge from the rainforest at the Cape Otway Lighthouse (the most Southern point of the park) and soak up the awe-inspiring views of the Bass Strait, before heading back into the little-known network of gravel roads that meander towards our accommodation in Johanna – a ruggedly-beautiful hamlet surrounded by wild beaches and fertile lands.

Johanna to Port Campbell

via 12 Apostles

62-80 km 1,100 m

After 3 big days of riding, we ease the feet off the pedals on Day 4 with a flat-ish 62km – 80km. And what a place it is for a recovery cruise! We’ll ride some beautiful gravel roads beside the Gelibrand River before passing all the major Victorian coastal icons like The 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge & The Grotto on the way to the quaint coastal town of Port Campbell for a feed with a view over the bay.Then it’s into the bus for a short shuttle back along the Great Ocean Road to Johanna, so we can rest the legs and take in the sweeping views from a different angle.

Johanna to Forrest

via Triplet Falls and Redwood Forrest

72-96 km 1,450-2,300 m

On Day 5, it’s a change of scenery as we head inland. The rugged beaches fade into the background as we spend a morning weaving through rolling dairy farmland. Then, the paddocks will give way to tall trees as we enter the heart of the old-growth forests. We’ll visit some more natural wonders like the Redwood Forest, Triplet Falls and Hopetoun Falls. And if you’re feeling really adventurous there’s the option to climb into the treetops or fly on a zipline through the rainforest at the Otway Fly! After lunch we’ll enjoy a hoot of a descent (20 km downhill) on a scenic rail trail. We’ll arrive in the quaint town of Gellibrand for a snack before the final push to our glamping accommodation in Forrest (and a much needed burger!).

Forrest to Anglesea

via Deans Marsh

65 km 1040 m

The final day is a corker. After a morning spin through the flatlands to warm up the legs, we arrive at the Deans Marsh, for coffee and carbs. Then it’s a beautiful, gradual climb back into the hinterland (you get an awesome sense of progress when you can see lakes and open-farmland behind you, thick forest by your side, and glimpse of ocean ahead!). Later in the day, we cross through a sweeping pine plantation where the hilly views and mist make it feels almost alpine. Finally, we crest the range at Peter’s Hill and it’s all downhill from there. A 20km freewheel (almost!) will take us all the way to the Anglesea pub where we’ll exchange numbers with the new “gravel-family” and share a farewell drink!

Sound good?

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Inclusions

What’s Included

5 nights accommodation (twin share).
5 x breakfasts, 4 x lunches, 5 x dinners and 5 x appetisers (plus a small selection of beer & wine).
Full tour service, including Rapid Ascent guides.
On-the-bike nutrition and hydration stations (set up approx. every 30 km)
On-route mechanical support & nightly bike maintenance.
Support vehicle, for tired cyclists and luggage transfers.
Transfer on scheduled arrival day from Anglesea or Geelong.
Transfer on scheduled departure day to Anglesea or Geelong.
Secure storage of bike box and other equipment while on the tour.
Entrance fees to Otway Fly & Cape Otway Lighthouse.

What’s Not

Bike rental (we ask you to please BYO gravel bike or MTB).
Flights and charges for getting to and from pickup & drop-off points (Geelong & Anglesea).
Single room (available at extra cost if required).
Travel insurance.
Meals not stated in the itinerary (Lunch @ Port Campbell & Gellibrand & Forrest).
Personal clothing and equipment.
Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc).
Add on activities other than Otway Fly/Lighthouse eg zipline.
Transfers other than scheduled arrival/departure days.

What We’ll Eat

We’re big believers in providing food that:

Fuels your cycling (repairs your muscles and leaves you feeling healthy and nourished)
Tastes frickin’ amazing!

We use a variety of local caterers and venues along the route to ensure all meals are prepared with those two principles in mind. You’ll get bucket-loads of food that not only sustains you, but becomes a highlight of the trip!

You’ll also get a standard selection of beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages each evening (enough for approx 1 per person per day). We also normally do a “drinks run” on the first day if you’re keen to stock our eskies with additional drinks of your choosing.

Got a dietary? Let us know and we’ll make sure you’re looked after.

Where We’ll Stay

As you can see we do not move accommodation every night (don’t worry, each riding route is unique day-to-day. In fact, there’s very few times where you’ll ride the same stretch of road more than once!). The reason we stay multiple nights in Johanna and Sugarloaf is so you can soak up the landscapes and so you don’t have to pack up your gear each day (you can well and truly unwind into “holiday mode”). We find it’s a much more pleasant experience.

Great Ocean Road Resort

Anglesea, VIC

NIGHT 0 & 6 (OPTIONAL): Located smack-bang in the heart of the quiet town of Anglesea, this contemporary, elegant and stylish resort is an optional stay (not included in trip price) for night 0 and night 6 of the trip. If offers modern, open plan living with a separate master bedroom and well-appointed bathroom. The additional space of the One Bedroom Suite is ideal for cyclists who need to do final checks on their gear before departing on an epic journey through the Otways.

An Eclectic Seaside Monastery

Sugarloaf, VIC

NIGHT 1 & 2: This former monastery turned one-of-a-kind retreat centre is where the “true” Otways experience kicks off. Set on 25 acres overlooking the Great Ocean Road, The Sugarloaf Estate will form our private home-base for the first 2 nights of the trip. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world with the cosy rooms, 180 degree ocean views, and eclectic mix of luxury and old-school charm. Only problem is, after a few drinks on the front lawn, you might not want to leave!

Coastal Cottages

Johanna, VIC

NIGHT 3 & 4: Nestled amongst the rolling green hills of Johanna, this place give you the perfect balance of lush farmland and rugged Victorian coastlines. The rooms are modern and spacious and the central living areas are perfect for sharing tales from the trails with new friends.
Time moves differently down here (it’s not uncommon to forget all your worries after just a few hours!).

Bushland Glamping

Forrest, VIC

NIGHT 5: Our only inland accommodation will see you glamping in style under the romantic starlit skies of the Otway hinterland. You’ll stay in elegant bell tents that give you the relaxing, “back to basics” lifestyle of traditional camping but with all the creature comforts of a hotel. Oh, and your tent will be walking distance to one of the best breweries in the area!

Meet Your Guides

John Jacoby

“The World Champ”

Age: 58, Lives: Jan Juc VIC

John is probably one of the most experienced & accomplished adventurers in the world – but he’s far too modest to tell you about it!

He was awarded the Keys to the City of Melbourne in 1987 after being crowned World Marathon Kayak Champion for the 3rd year in a row (he ultimately won the title 4 times)… he’s competed in over 30 international adventure races in 16 different countries… and he was the first Australian to win the coveted Coast to Coast “Multisport World Championship” title in NZ. To say he’s “capable” in the outdoors would be a massive understatement.

Now he’s retired from racing, he still travels the world doing crazy things. In the past 5 years he’s summited Makalu in the Himalayas (27,838 ft!); Paddled around South Georgia Island; been skiing in the back country of Alaska and he’s a bit of a regular on the waves in Indonesia. In fact, it’s probably worth coming on this trip just to hear some of his stories!

Sam Maffett

“The Jack of All Trades”

Age: 48, Lives: Anglesea VIC

You know those annoying people that are good at EVERYTHING? Sam is one of those.

He’s run plenty of sub 3hr marathons (2:39 is his PB!), he’s won the prestigious “Alpine Challenge” ultra marathon in Victoria’s high country, he’s kayaked some of the worlds gnarliest white water rivers, skied plenty of steep sided mountains and he regularly disappears into the wilderness for epic 5hr+ gravel & MTB rides on his “days off”. Not to mention he’d easily challenge for “dad of the year” – spending 3 years as cub/scout leader and taking his 2 boys (Tom & Ollie) on as many adventures as he can. What a jerk.

Seriously though, Sam is a guy you want by your side on any adventure. He knows the entire Otways like the back of his hand, he’s reliable and great for a yarn.

Jez Baker

“The Wannabe”

Age: 35, Lives: Anglesea VIC

What Jez lacks in sporting prowess, he certainly makes up for in “enthusiasm”…

He’s OBSESSED with cycling (his fiance, Sarah, has banned him from mentioning “watts” or “cycling podcast” at home). And he probably spends more time on his gravel, mountain and road bikes riding through the Otways than he does at work!

In summer, he turns “full dirtbag”, and travels around Victoria in his van, racing (age group) XCO, riding remote gravel roads and taking in the fresh mountain air.

He’s also dabbled in his share of sea kayaking and multi-sport. He’s paddled the rugged coastline of South West of Tassie, fast-packed many of the great walks in Australia and participated in plenty of events like the Red Bull Defiance and Coast to Coast in NZ.

One thing’s for certain: if you launch an uphill attack, Jez won’t be able to resist – he’ll do everything in his power to chase you down. The only thing he likes more than friendly competition is a good bit of banter with like minded folk.

Sarah Park

“The Carb Machine”

Age: 32, Lives: Anglesea VIC

We challenge you to catch Sarah without a smile on her face (she finishes most rides with bugs and mud smeared on her teeth thanks to her perpetual grin!).

Sarah is another Anglesea local who lives for all things adventure. Whether it’s a bike packing trip squeezed into a long weekend, an impromptu “fell race” in the hills of the Lake District, or forcing her partner (Jez) to run the 42km Three Capes Track in a single morning with zero training – her zest for outdoors is rivalled only by her love of carbs. She’s usually has a frame bag full of baked goods and has been known to claim that “eating is my secret weapon”.

Bikes

We could write an entire novel on the topic of “best bikes for Otway gravel”. But, let’s be honest – you’ll be perfectly fine on a gravel bike, CX bike or even cross-country mountain bike (preferably hardtail) and/or E-bike.

The big things to consider are:

Weight: There’s quite a bit of climbing in this course, so the lighter the better.
Tyres: We suggest running bigger tyres than you would on your roadie (38-45mm recommended). We also recommend tubeless (so you can run lower pressures for traction and comfort).
Comfort: Long days on the bike mean you’re best suited on a bike that fits you well.
Brakes: What goes up must come down. There’s a lot of descending in the Otways so you’ll be best served with disc brakes (although we’ve seen plenty of people run rims brakes just fine).
Your engine! This is an Grade 3 trip (see “Spice Scale” here). And while we’ll do our best to cater for all ability levels, you’ll have most fun if you ride 5-8hrs per week in preparation for this journey.

Can I ride an e-Bike?

You betcha. If you feel more comfortable with an electronic boost, by all means bring it along. Just remember that you’ll want something capable of riding on dirt roads. Also, depending on your battery range, you might want to put a second (and maybe third!) battery in the support van so you can change it mid-ride.

Do you hire gravel bikes?

YES! We have partnered with Serk Cycling and currently have 2x titanium adventure gravel bikes available to hire during the Tour. Specifications HERE:

1x size small: A21 titanium frame, AXS Rival 1x drivetrain, DT Swiss 700cc wheels and 42mm tyres.

1x size large: A21 titanium frame, GRX mechanical 1x drivetrain, DT Swiss 700cc wheels and 42mm tyres.

Collect / return to Anglesea (where the Journey starts) and rented for $600 for the tour’s duration. Contact us to discuss rental and we’ll help facilitate thinks with Serk Australia. If you need an alternative size then let us know and we’ll do our best to find you something.

How to fly with your bike?

If you haven’t travelled (flown) with your bike before, it can be daunting. But all you need is a free cardboard box from your local bike shop, some basic tools and the video below. Once you’re in Anglesea, we can help you put it back together! Once you realise how easy (and cheap) it is, you’ll be taking your bike everywhere!

Learn How to Pack Your Bike on YouTube >>

Examples of suitable bikes:

CX bikes are generally more aggressive and are basically a roadie with more tyre clearance! Put some bigger tyres & lower gears on and they make a great gravel grinder.

What about Riding Ability?

The Great Ocean Road Gravel Tour is rated “Grade 3” on the “Gravel Spice Scale” (Read the full scale here.)

SPICE LEVEL: 🌶🌶🌶

At-home training load: 5-8+ hrs per week
Daily on-trip distance: 30-120km
Daily on-trip elevation: 500 – 2500m
Daily on-trip hours on bike: 4-8 hrs

If you’ve got decent fitness, intermediate off-road skills, and a taste for (some) hardship, you’ll eat this trip up and go home grinning from ear to ear. The gravel trails come in all shapes and sizes, from wide hard packed “highways” to the occasional stretch of moderate double track.

You’ll need to pick your line carefully, shifting left and right to find the smoothest route – so some tech skills are required. You’ll also need to be comfortable cranking out 4-8 hours in the saddle each day (with plenty of breaks for food and coffee, of course).

Having said that, we always do our best to accommodate a wide range of levels and abilities, so we can give you more or less (speed, distance, elevation) to adapt the trip to your needs. If you’re in doubt about your ability, or worried you don’t have what it takes, please don’t hesitate to give us a call to discuss (03) 5261 5511.

Final note on fitness/ability: If you’re reading this and thinking “I wonder if I can make it”, chances are, you’ll be totally fine!! Back yourself. Booking a trip like this is a great way to goad yourself onto the bike for some training!

Nitty Gritty Details

Arrivals and shuttles

Whether you’re flying from interstate, travelling from Melbourne or staying on the Surf Coast the night prior to the trip, we will help you arrange transport to and from start point in Anglesea. Once you book your spot, we’ll arrange a “meet and greet” phone call to discuss the trip and iron out all the details about how to get here.

Pre and post ride accommodation (Anglesea)

We will be leaving Anglesea quite early on Day 1, and getting back mid-to-late afternoon on Day 6, so we recommend booking accommodation in Anglesea on one or both of those nights (Night 0 and/or Night 6).

The Great Ocean Road Resort in Anglesea is the official accommodation partner for Anglesea.

GO HERE TO BOOK YOUR “NIGHT 0” AND/OR “NIGHT 6” ACCOMMODATION >

Climate, packing & gear

Yes, it’s technically Autumn. And, yes, it is typically perfect weather for riding (15-25 degrees) this time of year. However, THIS IS THE OTWAYS! It is very possible to get “four seasons in one day” even in March. Temperatures on the top of the ranges can get as low as 8-10 degrees and we could encounter some rain.

With that in mind, we suggest you pack for a range of conditions (a full packing list will be sent out with plenty of time to prepare prior to the trip).

Is this trip guaranteed to run?

This trip is very likely to go ahead, however, there’s a small chance that if we don’t get enough people (we only need 8!), we’ll have to pull the pin.

In that very unlikely and unprecedented case, we will refund your entire deposit (OR you can elect to put it towards one of Rapid Ascent’s future Journeys or events).

In any case, we will confirm the trip a minimum of 35 days prior to the the departure date.

What happens if I have to cancel?

We know that plans change and life can throw unexpected curveballs, so if you need to cancel your booking, you can do so up until 35 days prior to the departure date and receive a refund of your deposit (less a 20% admin fee).

Here’s How to Secure Your Spot…

If you’re still reading, and you’re as pumped as us to tackle this epic mission, we’d love to share it with you!

To secure your spot, all you need to do is click the button below, tell us a bit about yourself and pay a small deposit to lock it all in.

We ask for a $1,000 deposit to secure your spot. This is refundable (less a 20% admin fee) up until 35 days prior to the trip. The balance of $2,960 will be payable 35 days prior to the trip.

Once you’re confirmed, we’ll arrange a “meet and greet” phone call via Zoom. On this call, we’ll get to know you, answer any questions and help you make a plan to get all your “ducks in a row” prior to the trip (things like booking flights, additional accommodation, transfers to and from start point etc). Of course, if you’d prefer to chat to us before booking – that’s great too. Just hit the “Ask Us Any Questions” button below and we’ll be in touch.

So…

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We can’t wait to show you our secret gravel wonders of our backyard!