The Mallee Blast 1000 is a mostly gravel, unsupported bikepacking event hosted and created by Ross Burrage.
The Grand Depart is Friday, Nov 26, from 7 am, and riders will choose from two starting locations - Fishermans Beach in Torquay, Victoria, and 10 Steps in Riverside Park Swan Hill, Victoria. Riders not wanting to ride the whole 1000 are invited to complete a 500 km leg from either of these starting points. The Grand Depart format and the route are designed to support riders from all experience levels and can be ridden on CX, Gravel, or Mtb. The route is mostly gravel, but there are a number of dry weather roads that could become very challenging if wet.
This route/event isn't supported by a commercial event organiser nor an individual for financial gain. It is a meeting and departure time for like-minded people to participate and enjoy. Rider’s safety and wellbeing are their responsibility.
All riders must carry a spot device for safety and be visible on the event platform, Maprogress. You can follow all riders HERE.
You can follow the Mallee Blast event page on Facebook for updates HERE.
Below are links the route riders are following, these can be ridden at any time.
Torquay to Swan Hill: HERE
Swan Hill to Torquay: HERE
See below for a handful of Curve riders participating, we asked them to share a few words about their setup.
Simon Higgins
‘I'll be riding the Mallee Blast on my Curve GXR (aka Kevin). Being such an awesome bloke, Kev will be great company on the long flat stretches of this event. I usually run Kev with Dirt Hoops in 650b mode for long gravelly adventures as I did for the #WinterSolstice300 with 2.2-inch IKONs, but will swap out the faster road-mode (28c) rubber on my Curve G4T wheels for this event, paired with some 43c GravelKings given the flat and hopefully fast nature of the course. Kev is such a versatile platform with the quick swap out of some wheels’
Instagram: @cptnsime
Bike: Curve ti GXR
Fork: Curve Ride 415
Wheels: Curve G4T
Groupset: SRAM Force 1x (44T x 11-46T)
Handlebar: Salsa Cowchippers + Profile aero bars
Navigation: Garmin eTrex & InReach mini
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2 + SP Dynamo
Bags: Apidura Race, Revelate feedbag, Restrap saddle bag
Jason Tubnor
‘Affectionately named Bargearse in our house, paying homage to both The D Generation and Bluey (like Curve, both are institutions), while large in stature, is no slouch when it comes to the trails.
Built for adventures across this big land, this GMX+ covers huge distances with ease and comfort. Pack as much or as little as you want, every ride is an adventure. After being in so many lockdowns over 18 months, the race calendar has more strikethrough than ticks, I am so looking forwards to getting out and just riding my bike. I have no expectation, just want that smile on my dial.
Looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new faces out there on the trail. Happy adventures everyone and good luck!’
Instagram: @8bitbike
Bike: Curve GMX+
Fork: Curve Seek 430
Wheels:Curve Dirt Hoops 29 + Vittoria Mezcal 29x2.35 rubber
Groupset: SRAM GX + Shimano XT brakes
Handlebar: Curve Remlaw
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2 + SON 28 dynamo
Navigation: Garmin – 830, Etrex 30x and inReach
Bags: Terra Rosa Gear, Curve Rocket Pooches
Mark Lunn
‘I’m tackling the 1000 km route, and my plan is 5 to 6 days depending on the weather & how I feel once i get underway.
Kevin & I completed this year’s Vic Divide in 4 & half days so I’m keen to see how this course differs. Ive been riding for many years but only got into bike packing in the lead up to the Vic Divide. Now I’m completely addicted.’
Bike: Curve ti GXR
Fork: Curve Ride 415
Wheels: Curve 650b Dirt Hoops Alloy + Gravel King 2.0
Groupset: SRAM Force
Handlebar: Curve Walmer Bar
Navigation: Garmin 1030 + Spot 3 Device
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2, Exposure helmet light + SP Dynamo
Bags: Revelate Terrapin seat bag, half frame bag & feedbag. Gorilla fork bags.
Shane Blacket
This is Shane’s first bikepacking event, and he is taking part in the 500 km start from Swan Hill. He hope’s to use this event as a test run, and then follow up with Vic Divide and the Hunt 1000 next year.
Instagram: @blackers74
Bike: Curve Kevin of Steel
Fork: Curve Ride 415
Wheels: Curve Grav Al + 40 mm Donnellys
Groupset: SRAM Rival 1
Handlebar: Walmer Bar
Navigation/Tracking: Garmin edge 530, eTrex 22x & Spot Gen 4
Bags: Revelate Bags - Spinelock Saddle Bag, Harness (with S2S dry bag), Tangle frame bag and feedbag
Ross Burrage
The man behind the Mallee Blast, in addition you may know Ross from his Hidden Athlete podcast, or his hard work with the Masaka Cycling Club. Ross has our OG UpRock and this bike has had some serious adventures. Together they have completed the Mawson Trail, Cloud Ride, Vic Divide, GTD and the Tour Divide, twice! Ross will be racing the full Mallee Blast distance, beginning in Swan Hill.
Instagram: @rossburrage
Bike: Curve UpRock
Fork: Curve Seek 480
Wheels: Curve Dirt Hoops 29 + Maxxis IKON
Groupset: Shimano XT 1x1
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2 + SP dynamo
Navigation: Garmin eTrex
Bags: Bike Bag Dude and Sea To Summit Dry Bags
Kate Fowler
Our very own Kate is out riding the Mallee Blast 500, starting from Swan Hill. Kate has completed many multi day events, the longest being the Trans Atlantic Way through Ireland.
Instagram: @katethefowler
Bike: Curve ti GXR
Fork: Curve Ride 415
Wheels: Curve Dirt Hoops Alloy + Good Year Peak Ultimate 2.25”
Groupset: SRAM Force 1x11 36/10-42
Handlebar: Curve Walmer Bar
Navigation: Garmin eTrex 30 & Spot Gen 4
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2 + SP Dynamo
Bags: Apidura Rapha Handlebar Bag, Curve Rocket Pooches
Carly Williams
‘This will be my first real multi day adventure aboard the G-MAX & really looking forward to experiencing it in it’s element - loaded & surfing across some big sandy mallee roads. The plan is loose - depart Torquay, arrive Swan Hill, have some naps along the way, do a lot of committed snacking, probably curse a few life choices here & there, but generally just have a damn good time! Hoping those sandy mallee roads don’t turn to complete mud & the wind blows as forecast. It does feel like a long time between proper adventures this year, so it’s great to have a few things back on the calendar, & really pleased to see an event like Mallee Blast that caters for both ’new to adventure/racing’ riders as well as those more accustomed to hard, sleep deprived racing. Great to see so many people sign up to have a go. Hope everyone stays safe & really enjoys the adventure.’
Instagram: @carlymw_
Bike: Curve GMX+
Fork: Curve Seek 430
Wheels: Curve Dirt Hoops 29 with Vittoria Mezcal 29x2.25’s
Groupset: SRAM 12 Speed Rival/Eagle dinner plate combo - for all the epic climbs. SRAM braking power - for descending off the epic climbs
Handlebar: Curve Walmer Bar
Navigation: Wahoo Roam + iphone + Spot Gen 3
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2 + SON Dynamo
Bags: Skin Grows Back Wedge frame bag, Ovjea Negra saddle bag, Revelate feed bag, Curve Rocket Pooches
Fergal Meehan
‘I have a 2018 OG Kevin of Steel which I love. Straightforward and dependable, reliable as a 40 series Land Cruiser and extremely forgiving for a non-technical pilot (like me) when it gets a bit rough and sketchy’. Fergal is completing the 1000 km route, starting from Torquay.
Instagram: @meehan.fergal
Bike: Curve OG Kevin of Steel
Fork: Curve Ride 415
Wheels: Curve 650b Dirt Hoops 29 + Maxxis IKON 27.5 x 2.2
Groupset: SRAM Apex
Handlebar: Curve Walmer Bar
Lighting: kLite Bikepacker ULTRA V2 + Qube Rear + SP dynamo
Navigation: Garmin Etrex 30x
Bags: Skingrowsback Amigo Top Tube bag, Revelate Terrapin 8L bag, Wedge frame bag and stembag.
Shane Snijders
Shane has just been getting acquainted with his new handsome blue Kevin of Steel, with the mallee being his first multi day adventure. Shane is riding the 1000 km route, starting from Torquay.
Instagram: @shane.snijders
Bike: Curve Kevin of Steel
Fork: Curve Ride 415
Wheels: Curve 700 Grav Al + Donnelly X-PLOR 40
Groupset: SRAM Rival
Handlebar: Curve Walmer Bar
Lighting: Exposure Joystick and Diablo
Navigation: Garmin Edge 820
Bags: Restrap Saddle and Frame Bag
