The Sunday Creek Classic is a 120km very dirty Gran Fondo with 3,000m of climbing – and yes it’s tough. Real tough.
New for 2027 is a 50 km course, designed for riders just getting into gravel or those looking for a shorter Sunday Creek challenge. At 49 km with around 1,160 m of climbing, it’s still a proper gravel ride and a great introduction to the terrain around Kenilworth.
The courses feature fire trails, gravel roads, some single track and a couple of short, sharp sections of hike-a-bike. They’re suitable for gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes or road bikes with clearance for gravel tyres... think 35 mm plus. Maybe best leave those carbon-soled road shoes behind too.
And don’t underestimate the hills behind Kenilworth. It’s magnificent country, but it can be brutal. Surface conditions are largely dependent on the weather over the previous 12 months.
The courses will be marked and available as GPX files, downloadable PDFs and Strava routes. Please note that the courses shown below may be subject to change pending council and national parks approval.
The event is semi-supported, with water and refuelling stops along the way. Riders will need to be self-sufficient for large sections of the course, carrying sufficient water, spare tubes and essential parts. A sag wagon will follow the riders, sweeping the course, and event first aid will be on hand in case of emergency.
Bike Selection
Gravel Bikes: For a majority of the course Gravel Bikes will have a speed advantage over MTBs. On some climbs and sections of the Sunday Creek Road descent, gravel bikes may lose time to MTBs depending on the skills of the rider. Our recommendation is to know your bike and understand your limitations. Please note that under wet conditions, or if the course has been severely impacted by rain in the previous months, switching to an MTB may be a good option for many.
MTBs: There is no question that the mountain bikers will enjoy the extra gears for climbs and more stability on the descents, for many, an MTB will be the better option, especially for riders with less experience off road.
Super bikes: Some of the more creative riders build bikes specifically for this course that combines the best aspects of Gravel bikes and MTBs into their dream machine. Hardtail 29er with 2inch tires and drop bars anyone?
Check Points (CPs)
There are two Checkpoints on the course where you will find basic first aid, the event team (a hug?), water, Trailbrew sports mix and a few nutrition options including bananas, chocolate, lollies and muesli bars.
CPs are located at 45kms at the top of Mt Buggery and 75kms in the small town of Jimna.
The town of Jimna is also a great spot to re-supply with a coffee or toastie from the local store – they’re expecting us.
