The first Dirty 130 gravel ride was “pure carnage”, according to organiser Phil McIntosh of the Wollundry Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga.

“In 2014, nobody in Australia was riding on gravel. People were saying to us, ‘This won't work,’” Phil said. We're talking about a time before tubeless tyres.

“People turned up from everywhere, but they only had road bikes. When they hit the first sector of dirt and the speed ramped up, there were tubes popping everywhere.”

Today, the Dirty 130 is one of the six rides in total that are part of the Gears + Beers Cycling + Craft Beer festival in Wagga Wagga, NSW. There's also the Salty 70 gravel ride, the Roadie 105, the Roadie 30, and the Strawberry 10. That means there's something for everyone at this event.

When Phil and the Wollundry Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga first launched Gears + Beers, they were trying to replicate what was happening in Europe, where you had rides on gravel and cobblestones.

He said, “In Belgium, every one of those rides finished at a beer festival. We decided, ‘Why not?’”

Community is what makes Gears + Beers great

The combination of carnage on the trails and abundant craft beer afterwards created an instant community among the cyclists who had completed the event, as Phil tells it.

“People were stopping and helping each other, swapping tubes, and helping sort their problems out,” he said. “It created this community of bike riders who came back to the festival and walked up and bought beers for people.”

Afterwards, all those people went home and shared the story. By 2019, Gears and Beers had grown into one of the largest events in Australia, with 3,600 registered riders. Numbers dropped off during COVID, but this year are again expected to hit more than 2,500.

Phil says the event couldn't happen without the help of all the area Rotary clubs and more than 140 volunteers.

“We give away 100 per cent of registration fees to local charities, and I would like people to know where that money goes.” Phil gave us three examples.

The first is Days for Girls, which funds the creation and distribution of menstrual health kits in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Bike Canteen is run by local community members who get old bike frames and parts and build up the bikes again, then give the bikes away to people who need them. If you have no form of transportation, you can pick up a bike and a helmet, and that can be the transportation that gets you to your first job.

Care Van delivers 2,500 meals per month to people in Wagga facing food insecurity and social isolation. It gets no government support, so donations from Beers + Gears help to fund those meals.

The 2025 route will be better than ever

Phil and the team at Gears + Beers put a lot of effort every year into the choice of routes.

For 2025, the team has introduced a section through Kindra State Forest, out north of Coolamon. In past years, the route went around the forest, but this is the first time it will include single-track trails through these 52 acres of remnant bushland.

Another new element in 2025 is a 17-kilometre section through a gigantic farming enterprise.

“You’ll get to ride through canola that’s as high as your shoulder when you’re sitting on your bike,” said Phil. “It will be pretty epic, I reckon.”

The organisers also try to put sectors into the route that create a challenge. Dead Camel Lane is a pretty rough single-track section that riders will have to descend with care. “They’ll need to be on their game going down through there,” warned Phil.

What Phil rides

On the day of the event, Phil will be too busy to ride, but when he does hit the trails, he usually takes his Trek Checkpoint gravel bike, which only recently got back from traversing the remote Mawson Trail in South Australia.

In the garage, he also has a Specialized Epic EVO mountain bike, an S-Works Roubaix road bike, and a rebuilt bike that is his pride and joy.

“I now have a beautiful vintage Hillman steel bike, which is an Australian-built classic,” he said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful bike with Campagnolo carbon wheels and a San Marco leather seat on it.”

And after the trails, what will he be drinking?

“Bridge Road Brewers Pale Ale,” he said. “That’s my favourite in general.”

Ben Kraus, who runs Bridge Road Brewers, has been bringing his beers to the festival since the first year.

“We had no idea how many people might come,” said Phil. “But Ben said, ‘I don't care if it's big or small. I’ll be there."

Quick‑fire Q&A

When and where is Gears + Beers held

Gears + Beers 2025 takes place on the October long weekend (Saturday 4th to Sunday 5th October 2025) in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The main rides occur on Sunday, with festival activities running all weekend.

What rides are available?

• There are five rides in total, catering to gravel grinders, roadies, and casual riders:
  Saturday’s Wiradjuri Welcome – 40km for MTB or gravel bikes
• Dirty 130 – 130km gravel
• Salty 70 – 70km gravel
• Roadie 105 – 105km road
• Roadie 30 – 30km road
• Strawberry 10 – 10km family-friendly cruise

Get GPS routes here.

Do I need to drink beer to participate?

Not at all. While craft beer is a big part of the festival, the rides come first. You’re welcome to enjoy the atmosphere, food, and community whether or not you partake in beer. And there will be plenty of non-alcoholic options.

What time do the rides start?

• Ride times for 2025 have not yet been confirmed, but in previous years:
  Dirty 130 and Roadie 105 start around 7:00 AM
• Salty 70 and Roadie 30 at 8:00 AM
• Strawberry 10 typically begins at 10:00 AM

Where do the rides start and finish?

All rides start and finish at Victory Memorial Gardens, a central location in Wagga Wagga that serves as the hub of the festival.

Can kids participate?

Yes! The Strawberry 10 ride is family-friendly and perfect for children. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there accommodation nearby?

Yes. Wagga Wagga offers hotels, motels, B&Bs, and caravan parks. Book early because accommodation fills fast on the October long weekend.

Where does the money go?

100% of ride registration fees go to charity. Beneficiaries include:

• Days for Girls – Menstrual health kits in AU and PNG
• Bike Canteen – Bikes for people needing transport
• CareVan – 2,500 meals/month for vulnerable locals

Read more on the Gears + Beers fundraising page.

How hard is the Dirty 130?

It’s a gritty and tough gravel ride with hills, loose surfaces, and narrow trails. You’ll need endurance, a good gravel bike, and ideally tubeless tyres. Expect ​​1,019 m of elevation gain and tricky descents like Dead Camel Lane. That’s the stretch where Phil says you’ll need to be on your game.

Are there toilets on the course?

Toilets are available on-course at Coolamon and Marrar plus on Farm Aid stations.

What food and drink are available?

The post-ride craft beer festival is the ultimate finish to a morning ride. Most riders will arrive around lunchtimewith the music pumping and beer flowing. Expect craft beers and ciders, outstanding locally roasted coffee, great local food, and live entertainment.

What bike should I bring?

What you choose depends on the ride:

• Gravel rides (Dirty 130, Salty 70) – Gravel bike with tubeless tires recommended
• Road rides (Roadie 105, Roadie 30) – Any road bike
• Strawberry 10 – Hybrid, cruiser, or kids’ bike

Who organises the event?

The Wollundry Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga runs the event with help from other local Rotary clubs and 140+ volunteers.

What should I bring?

Bring your bike and helmet, tubes or tubeless repair kit, water bottles, sunscreen and gloves, nutrition for the ride, some cash or card for food and beer, and ID for alcohol service.

Is parking available?

There are a few public car parks near the festival site. Try the Visitor Information Centre precinct (Tarcutta and Church Streets), look for spots along Peter Street, and about 3-4 blocks away, the Bolton Park car park, off Morgan Street.

Is there bike storage at the festival?

There is a dedicated bike storage area Get to it from the festival’s western end. You will not be allowed to take your bike into the festival.

Can I bring a camera or drone?

You’re welcome to take photos during the ride and festival. Drone use may be restricted, so contact the organisers if you plan to fly one.