The Dirty Pig & Whistle is a gravel getaway in the Victorian Goldfields

The Dirty Pig and Whistle is two days of racing and cycling events held in the picturesque towns, fields, farms and forests of Creswick and Clunes of the Central Victoria’s Goldfields.

Day 1 (or Saturday) starts with the Cyclo-Cross racing in the afternoon and early evening at the local Hammon Park, Creswick.

Day 2 (or Sunday) is when you’ll find the gravel event, with 3 options available. The Full Course Ride (120km) starts at 9:30am, the Medio Course (80km) starts at 10:am with the Short Course (40km) starting at 10:15am. The first riders are expected back from around midday.

This event is located at Creswick, 20 km’s north of Ballarat and 120 kms from Melbourne (CBD). You can travel there via car or by train to Ballarat and then by bus to Creswick. You’ll need to check in with V-line to see if bikes can travel on the train and bus. If you were going to spend the weekend, I would be basing myself at the Goldfields town of Ballarat or at Daylesford.

Weather? It is Victoria in May, so it could be wet and/or dry. Expect the morning to be cool, with averages of 5 to 14 degrees. It can get below zero overnight, which could be why the main ride starts after 9:00 am.

This event raises money for the charity – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia, which provides long-term, one-to-one mentoring to help change the course of vulnerable young peoples lives.

You’ll find other cycling events, like the SA Discovery Tour, in our online Cycling Event Calendar.

Enjoy!