SEVEN is Australia’s premier UCI gravel race

The SEVEN Gravel Race by the Tour of Margaret River operators is a unique cycling challenge for cyclists who like to ride off-road. This is a race but you don’t have to race it. Many cyclists attend just for the challenge of completing this event. Plus it is also head in the beautiful Margaret River region, which means it is a great excuse for a weekend away!

This event starts in Nannup, which is about 50 mins east of the town of Margaret River and 40 min south of Busselton. The route winds its way around the golden triangle of cycling in WA that is formed by connecting the townships of Nannup, Bridgetown and Donnybrook. This area is estimated to be around 30,000 acres and have in excess of 1000km of rideable roads and trails.

Thanks to the unique topography of the valley and peaks between Nannup and Balingup, the ten major climbs of SEVEN are amongst the best that the State has to offer. These climbs range in length from 1.2km to 4.5km long with gradients frequently touching on 20%. Our advice is to not use too much energy too early. The primary climbs of Brockman Farm, The Crucible, Kinky, Arcadia, and Chainsaw Ridge are in particular challenging to tired legs.

The route has only 2.6kms of single track at the finish and virtually no fire trails. All the roads used in SEVEN are unpaved and well-formed with a mix of dirt, gravel, hard-packed clay, quartz grit and mica. They wind, climb, switchback and descend through pine plantations, state forest and farms. The best way we can describe the roads of SEVEN is “parallel single track”. They are exciting, challenging and magnificent to ride.

SEVEN is open to riders of all abilities, however a medium to high level of fitness will be required to complete all seven sectors in the allotted ten hours. The event is not suitable for road bikes. For riders from non MTB backgrounds we strongly recommend the use of caution on descents, as for every epic climb in the event there is a corresponding downhill.

This event is divided into 8 sections, with riders having the opportunity to undertake 3, 5 or 8 sections.

• SEVEN 125km
• FIVE 85km/1700m
• THREE 45km/1100m
• ONE 25km/440m

This looks like a great event and a perfect opportunity to explore this region off the roads.

You’ll find other cycling events, like the Perth Hills Peloton, in our online Cycling Event Calendar.

Enjoy!