a day ago
Growth in gravel cycling draws big crowds to WA country towns
Flecks of mud spatter Mark Chong's face.
He has just cycled 160 kilometres along gravel roads in Nabawa, a rural community 480 kilometres north of Perth, in about four-and-a-half hours.
But he can't stop smiling.
The 26-year-old, who has only been gravel riding for three years, was named the men's state gravel cycling champion at the Backroads Gravel event.
He is one of a growing number of "gravel grinders" across the world to adopt the discipline.
Chong describes the sport as a mix between mountain biking and road cycling, combining fitness and technical skill on unpaved trails.
He likes that it keeps riders away from cars and closer to nature in places like Nabawa.
Chong has noticed interest in the gravel sport picking up, including in metropolitan areas.
"Even in Perth, where it's just the city centre, I'd say one in five bikes is a gravel bike,' he says.
Former professional cyclist Mitch Docker has noticed the trend, too.
Cycling participation has risen across Australia since Australia's Cadel Evans won the 2011 Tour de France.
But the experienced rider says the added safety of isolated tracks draws people to the off-road discipline.
"When you're on the road you're always a bit on the edge, thinking about the next car coming," Mr Docker said.
WestCycle chief executive Wayne Bradshaw says WA's natural beauty makes the regions frontrunners to host national and international competitions.
"It's great scenery out there, ranging from wildflowers to rugged coastlines," he says.
He says WA will be centre stage when Nannup, 270 kilometres south of Perth, hosts the 2026 Gravel World Championships.
With about 3,000 competitors, it has the potential to bring 10,000 visitors to the town, which is home to fewer than 1,000 residents.
Mr Bradshaw says even small-scale events have big benefits, pointing to the annual Bike it to Ballidu event.
The event began as a school fundraiser 25 years ago and has grown to attract hundreds of elite and amateur gravel cyclists.
Mr Bradshaw says Ballidu, 210 kilometres north-east of Perth, has only 58 residents, but is set to play host to 700 hundred visitors for its September event.
Back in Nabawa, event coordinator Dave Budge says Backroads Gravel experienced massive growth for its fourth year.
"It's just grown to another level," he says.
The 2025 competition, held last week, attracted 737 participants, with about 50 per cent travelling for the competition.
"We call these race-cations," Mr Budge said.
He says the event's economic and tourism boost was unmatched in the region.
"For every bit of accommodation that's available, that's booked out well in advance," Mr Budge said.
