Gravel and Tar History
The Gravel and Tar Cycling event has been held since 2016. The course, while changing every year, takes in the beautiful roads and scenery of the Manawatu region in New Zealand.
It was the first serious ‘gravel’ race in Australasia, and remains the only UCI race which is consists of large sectors of gravel which require extra skill and concentration from the riders.
In 2018, after two years of successfully running the Gravel and Tar Classic, the event organisers were awarded 1.2 status of the race by the UCI world governing body.
It was the only one-day UCI 1.2 race on the Oceania calendar in 2019, and only the second one day UCI race behind the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race (UCI 1.1), in Australia.
For the first time in 2019, there was a women’s Gravel and Tar cycling race to accompany the men’s event.
The event attracted the top Australian and New Zealand women’s teams to compete and become a uniquely hard race on the international women’s cycling calendar. The prize money purse for the La Femme is equal to the men’s race.
Previous winners of the events are:
Men: Logan Griffin, Robert Stannard, Ethan Berrends, Luke Mudgway, Hayden McCormack, Aaron Gate, Ben Oliver.
Women: Brodie Chapman, Niamh Fisher-Black
About the Greasy Chain Charitable Trust
The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust was borne of a passion for cycling in Manawatu as a way to:
1. Improve public health (particularly the reduction of obesity and type two diabetes) through regular, healthy, outdoor exercise
2. Reduce the current levels of increasing work-related stress in today’s work environment
3. Provide greater independence for people, particularly older people unable to drive
4. Over time, increase the amount of urban cycle trips taken by the public and thus reduce noise and carbon emission pollution
The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust aims to achieve this by operating a not-for-profit charitable organisation to facilitate and manage cycle events through the support and promotion of cycling activities of a charitable nature throughout Manawatu.
What is Union Cycliste Internationale?
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI; French for “International Cycling Union”) is the world governing body for sports cycling and overseas international competitive cycling events.
The UCI, based in Aigle, Switzerland, sets the standards for the sport of cycling and promotes the sport for health and fitness.
It issues racing licences to riders and enforces disciplinary rules.
The UCI also manages the classification of races and the points ranking system in various cycling disciplines, including
mountainbiking, road and track cycling, for both men and women, amateur and professional.
Riders in the Gravel and Tar UCI men’s and women’s events will be aiming to add points early on to kickstart their season points tally.
Slicks and Stones Gravel Assault
The Slicks and Stones is back!
Yes, the Slicks and Stones is on again – with some rebadging to reflect the exciting new parcours. It’s now the “Slicks and Stones Gravel Assault” and the first new edition will start on 1st April (what an auspicious coincidence that date is!).
The Slicks and Stones Gravel Assault will start and finish in the beautiful little village of Apiti in North Island’s Manawatu region, which has become known as "the Gateway to the Ruahines", with many opportunities for tramping, hunting, horse trekking and of course cycling.
This year, the “Assault” will have two categories, the Full Assault, 120kms (elevation 1,882m) and the Half Assault, 60kms (elevation 1,062m). Both courses will include about 80% gravel. They will start early morning from Apiti at 7:00 and 7:15 to take advantage of the cooler conditions. You’ll complete a full circuit, returning to Apiti with time to freshen up for the post-event buffet lunch at 12:00 in the Apiti Tavern and Eatery.
For those cyclists already into gravel riding, you’ll have a good idea of what’s required bike-wise, strategies and tactics. For novices gravel riders (maybe a good idea to start with the Half), we’ll be posting short articles on our Facebook page over coming weeks to give you some essential tips for making the most out of this exciting ride. Course details may be found here for the Full Assault and here for the Half Assault.
If you’re from out of town, Manawatu is among one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in New Zealand, including northern Manawatu's Kimbolton, Apiti and Rangiwahia districts. The scenery is stunning - although if you’re competing, you’ll probably be looking more at the road under you – still, it could be great motivation for getting your support crew along. Plenty of accommodation in Feilding and Palmerston North, and if you have a real need to motivate that “special” supporter, book into Makoura Lodge, a luxury Country Lodge and Rural Retreat, just a short drive away (you’ll need to book in early for this one). For those who are hardened outdoor types, there’s free camping in the Apiti Camping Ground.
On Friday 31st March, the Apiti Tavern and Eatery, a thriving local historic pub with mouthwatering menu and fully licensed bar, will be the venue for participants pre-event dinner. Come early, stay over, and join your new found mates to talk all things cycling (and particularly tomorrow’s gravel assault) over a sumptuous carbo filling meal hosted by award winning chef and Apiti Tavern owner, Grant Kitchen. Among Grant’s many credits are Manawatu Chef of the Year, Chief Judge of World Master Chef, butler to the Sultan of Brunei, and a damn good guy! Entry fees for both the Full and Half events, include a great discount (thanks Grant) on the pre-event dinner and the post-event buffet.
And of course, after your big event on Saturday 1st April, chat with your comrades over a hearty buffet in the grounds of the Apiti Tavern.
Entry fees for both the Full and Half events, include a great discount at the Apiti Tavern (thanks Grant) on the pre-event dinner and the post-event buffet.
The Greasy Chain Charitable Trust, organisers of the Slicks and Stones Gravel Assault (and the Gravel and Tar), will be delighted to welcome you to our revamped Slicks and Stones. For those who participated in the previous Slicks and Stones, we’ve listened to some of your feedback that said it was difficult to enter due to being at the end of school holidays and so we’ve moved it to April. And you’ll still have the buzz of participating in a professionally run event which we believe will become a “must do” for keen amateur cyclists, both from here and overseas.
Got the inspiration! enter here, now and we’ll see you in Apiti. Further enquiries may be made to Johan Oelofse, Event Director at coach@jtcoachingcycling.com or call +64 204 1385 188