Gravel Macedon takes you off the grid through the Macedon Ranges and Wombat State Forest, an hour north west of Melbourne. Run by Bicycle Network, the ride is built around a set of secret routes revealed only in the lead-up to event day: hidden backroads, flowing gravel sectors and forest trails of the kind you usually only find after years of poking around the area. Three distance options cater for everyone from new gravel riders to masters of grit, and shortcut options on the day let you trim the loop if the legs say so.

This is a supported social challenge rather than a race. Bicycle Network's renowned on-route support means rest areas where you need them, mechanics, snacks and hydration, and a course threaded through towns boasting spectacular bakeries and cafe stops. Entry includes entertainment at the Woodend event hub and a celebratory post-ride beverage. Starting and finishing at Woodend Racecourse Reserve, it is one of the most accessible ways to experience proper gravel riding within easy reach of Melbourne.