Over the long weekend, Bérénice and Curve's own Liege set out on the Fools Gold 420. Fools Gold is a new bikepacking event that traverses Victoria's North-western Goldfields region. With a big mix of single track, double track and a bit of 4WD track, it's a great mission if you're after a shorter gravel ultra adventure!
With 5500vm across the 420km route, this is a ride that's sure to be full of surprises!
This was only Bérénice's second ride on a GXR and she said "Kev and I were still a bit strangers at the start but now we are friends after so many hours together." Finishing this epic ride in 24hrs 50mins!
Bérénice led home the women's field!
"At 420 km, Fool’s Gold seemed perfect for me: long enough to excite my endurance bug, short enough to (maybe) attempt in one go. Curve set me up with a ti Kev and 2.1" tyres - slightly heavier than what I’m used to, but ready for whatever rocky party the Goldfields region had in store.
The day kicked off at 7am with flattish forestry tracks under perfectly mild weather...
and a very short but brutal rocky climb hinting at what was ahead.
Turns out, the real challenge lies in unnamed phone tower climbs.
After a lovely gradual climb to Mt Avoca, and a few descents to get the hang of the
bigger tyres, I tackled the rugged Kara Kara National Park: grueling climbs, rocky
descents, and laughing goats everywhere wondering what I was doing there (fair
question).
Night riding brought that special blurry, dreamlike feeling. Hours flew by, dodging
lively wildlife, avoiding (or embracing) the occasional slip in the mud and wrong turn,
and getting distracted by track names - smiling at ‘Mail Robbery Track’, frowning at
the combo of ‘Breakneck Track’ and ‘Cemetery Road’.
Turns out, the real challenge
lies in unnamed phone tower climbs.
Fuelled by hot cross buns and stubborness
Fuelled by hot cross buns and stubbornness, I chased the 7:30am train through the
night... only to miss it by a single minute. Ouch. But that train-shaped carrot got me
across the line just over 24 hours, setting a new women’s FKT.
Thanks Fool’s Gold - I had a blast!"
Liege's experience was a little bit different...
Hi, I'm Liege From Curve. The following account can be seen as a cautionary tale. It can also be seen as comedy. Or at least, my version of.
Let's start with a classic, self indulgent bit of backstory: Skateboarding for over a decade followed by another 10 years of very reckless hospo work has left me with quite a battered (human) frame. Prior to working for The Mighty Chevrons ( Curve ) the longest ride I had completed was a single 200k effort around the Bay of Port Phillip. I'm now three years deep into my tenure at the Mighty C's and my current 200k plus ride count is now at 4. Big time!
My only previous participation in an ultra-esque event was an ill fated excursion to Adelaide via the Dirty Valda Bike Packing Adventure. Let's just say I didn't make it to Adelaide. If you want to chat about canteloup ankles, slide into my DMs.
5 months later, and a few weeks out from launching myself into Seven Gravel race in WA, I figure I need to get some climbing Ks into my legs. So sensible! My brain made the logical choice to line up for the Fools Gold 420 Bike Packing Event. 5500 meters of climbing over some chunky terrain around the spectacular Dja Dja Warrung region.
I was realistic in my approach: I'd done no training, so let's play it safe and just knock it out over 2 days. No big deal right? Ride to the half way point, bivvy down on the side of the road for a few hours sleep, then BOOM. Back in time for happy hour at the pub! Easy.
The accompanying text messages between myself and my ultra / life mentor, April Drage, will now honestly & accurately give you a picture of how it worked out for me....Sorry Mum.
I still managed to complete the course in the planned 2 days. Just 2 very slow days. I'll be back next year after doing a little more prep. Maybe with a smaller chainring and some aero bars. Definitely not a mountain bike though. that would be far too sensible.
Our beloved GXR4 (aka Kevin), is the ultimate do it all Swiss Army knife of gravel bikes! Whether it's loaded for a multi day adventure or your local gravel loop, Kev has you covered!
With some chunkier sections on the course, a wider tire was the way to go for Fools Gold. Maximising the 50mm clearance on the GXR4, Liege was running our Wider Dirt Hoops with 29 x 2.0" Vittoria Terrano Mix for full chunk!
Take a closer look at Liege's setup below!
Full specs:
Frame: Curve GXR4
Wheels: Curve Dirt Hoops Wider
Tires: Vittoria Terreno Mix 29 x 2.0"
Handlebars: Carbon Walmer Bars 43cm
Groupset: Sram Rival/GX AXS
Cranks: 38t Sram Red Power Cranks
Cassette: 10-52t
Bags: Tailfin Wedge Frame Bag & Top Tube Flip Bag & Apidura/MAAP Race Saddle Pack
Which bags to choose?
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Tailfin Frame Bag & Top Tube Bag
Liege packed his power bank, cables and tools into the top tube bag for easy access when needed. The frame bag was for food, spare lights, electronics, sealant and chain wax.
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Apidura/MAAP Bag
The saddle bag was for spare/warm clothes and even more food!
