The biggest day of the year is almost here! Ollie, Amelia & Kieran headed out to recon the Border Run course ahead of Saturday's big event, and are happy to report the course is running smooth and fast! Read on to get the inside scoop of what's in store for all the intrepid Border Runners…
Border Run is put on every year by Curve on the March Equinox and is a 243km gravel ride from Melbourne to the NSW border in Echuca. This year it is running on March 21st at 4:30am from the Melbourne GPO. Take it on however you like! Can you make it in a day? Flashpack it in two, three, seven days, just remember the ride isn’t over until you touch the border sign!
Melbourne GPO
Starting like all historic overland adventures did, from the city's GPO, Border Run is no different. 4:30am is a strange time in the city, with the only company the left offers from the night out before, our day is starting. The perfect assembly point and off into the dark streets we go!
Monee Ponds Creek Trail: KM 4
After only a couple of kms you’re on the Monee Ponds Creek Trail to take you out of town. Snaking and following the river, be careful of dog walkers and other path users in the dark as it is only narrow and can be damp beneath the underpasses.
Woodlands: KM 25
For those interested, the official Strava segment starts as you cross the bridge into Woodlands and can be found HERE
The start of the gravel! We’re properly out of the city and off into the night. WATCH OUT for the kangaroos. They will be everywhere.
Road Sector: KM 31
Following Woodlands there is an extended road sector for around 30kms. It is unlikely to be busy on a Saturday morning but if you’re taking on the route on a different day please be careful. Around 35km there is a steep descent, be careful of roo’s and wildlife as it’ll be around sunrise when you get there.
Kennedys Lane: KM 58
The excitement begins. Keep your eyes open, pick your line and be ready to get a bit muddy. This short sector of road has been known to catch people out and have you quickly facing skywards. Some muddy ruts and a few puddles, albeit mostly dried out, this year it shouldn’t be a bog fest.
The River Crossing: KM 62
The river was certainly more wet than expected considering the dry conditions the rest of the course was in and the recent weather. Get ready to shoulder your bike and balance along the wall to get yourself across. The climb out is a bit rocky and definitely a hard start getting back on the bike.
The following 30km to Lancefield is rolly and slow going. With some steep rolling climbs and fast descents. Nothing technical, just smooth flowing gravel. But you’ll pop out onto the road ready for a refuel at Lancefield.
Lancefield: KM 91
Plenty of options here to stock up. Just a tap if you want water, an IGA for a snatch and grab of snacks or a bakery if you want a sit down and a warm beverage. For the recon we opted for the warm beverage, and I’d highly recommend the vanilla slice. But remember country coffees come at about one million degrees.
All the climbing is done & the downhill begins: KM 104
The climb of note is up out of Lancefield to the highest point on the course at 684m. This last climb is fully sealed and you’ve got the joys of the remaining 140km of net downhill to look forward to! Not saying there aren't a few small rollers in there which will still take their toll on the legs after such a big day, but mostly you’re going downhill.
Heathcote: KM 140
Following a fast descent, there's a sneaky left hander where you cut through a back street and then you pop out on the main road into Heathcote. Plenty of options here, gas station if you want to snatch and grab or bakery if you’re in the mood for a pie. Again, highly recommended.
Leaving Heathcote is on the main road for a couple of kms, but there is plenty of shoulder. Just be careful.
Exposed roads: KM148
This is the start of the flatter, open sections of the course, heading directly north (so hope for the tailwind). These roads feel pretty relentless, they are net downhill, but you’ll be on the pedals all the way in from here!
Rochester: KM 215
The last chance for water or supplies if you need it, or get your head down and push on the last little bit. There's a servo as you come through town, you can't miss it. In these last stages, it often gets a fair bit warmer quite quickly. So be prepared to go through water quicker than expected!
The (not so) corrugated road of death: KM 222
For those of you that rode Border Run last year, I’m sure you remember far too well the final 15km into Echuca. The corrugated run in that just sapped everything from the legs on the final push. I’m very happy to report, as of Friday 13th March, the road is NOT corrugated and in fact smooth and very fast! Let's just hope it stays that way. I hope I haven't spoken too soon.
The Border Sign: KM 243
The ride isn’t over until you touch the border sign! Enjoy a recovery beverage and the stories from your fellow Border Runner’s as you all roll into the border sign and commemorate your achievements together! Unfortunately in our recon we didn’t make it as far as the sign on the fear of missing the train. So no victory party for us.
Curve have booked a few tables at the 1895 pub for you all to share stories late into the night and don’t forget to share your border sign photos with us!
Designed as the gravel-race version of our beloved GXR (aka Kevin), the Air Kev combines all our in house titanium frame building knowledge with the addition of a custom carbon bonded seat tube.
Although you could definitely ride Border Run on a 35mm gravel tire, we'd definitely recommend a bit wider The AirKev is built around clearance for 50mm 700c tires, this could be the perfect setup to smooth out some of the rougher gravel sections.
Take a closer look at Ollie's setup below!
Full specs:
Frame: Curve Air Kev
Wheels: Curve G4T 45s
Tires: Pirelli Cinturato H 45mm
Handlebars: Zipp SL80 Race Bar 38cm
Groupset: Sram Force XPLR AXS
Cranks: 46t Sram Force Power Cranks
Cassette: 10-46t