Welcome to the return of the Property Brokers Gravel in Paradise Series for 2025 with a 4 round series this year bought to you by Cycling Otago.
We welcome into the series for the 1st round the 'Crop Duster' in Alexandra, Central Otago. This unique and majestic course is known locally as the 'Crawfords'. A gentle 400 metres of climbing over the 'Raggedys' with staggering views over Alexandra and neighbouring Clyde. Reaching the summit you are then downhill into the Moa Creek plateau where you will circumnavigate the plateau surrounded by hills where only thyme and rabbits can thrive through the harsh cold winters and sweltering hot summers. Another gentle climb out of Moa Creek returning back down Crawford Road to the start finish at the Galloway Station Hut on the famous Central Otago Rail Trail. The short course is 45kms and the long course is 57kms, both have approximately 650 metres of elevation.
The Crop Duster is the perfect first event to start the Gravel in Paradise series, it will leave you wanting and waiting for more!
There are two grades to enter this year, with three category classes in each grade and separate age groups for both males and females.
Medals for all grades, categories and age groups for the Crop Duster and spot prizes kindly donated by Willbike. Prizegiving is at Sams Bar, Ngapara Street, Alexandra post the event.
A new points system this year will be introduced with your best of 3 events out of the 4 contributing to your overall scoring to determine placings. Points will be rewarded as 1st=1, 2nd=2, 3rd=3 etc down until the last placing
WIN AN $8,000.00 RIDLEY GRAVEL BIKE AND ADD YOUR OWN OPTIONAL UPGRADES IF YOU WISH
All single-event entries get 1 chance in the draw to win, a complete series entry (all 4 rounds) gets you 10 chances! Series entry is also discounted if you were to ride all 4. To be eligible to win (drawn live at the last round, the White Rocks) you need to have used the configurator and kept your unique code.
https://www.ridley-bikes.com/en_NZ/configurator
We have stunning Gravel in Paradise jerseys to purchase on this form. Please select your size, we will order in batches and deliver via courier for free. Standard jersey is only $105.00 and aero is $155.00. Check them out on the merchandise page https://gravelinparadise.co.nz/merchandise.html
A massive thank you to all our fantastic sponsors https://gravelinparadise.co.nz/index.html#partners
A current race licence that is affiliated with Cycling New Zealand is a requirement. If you do not hold a licence, you can apply at https://www.cyclingnewzealand.nz/clubs-and-membership/becoming-a-member-2/. Or, we can arrange a licence for the series at a cost of $22.50. We will email you separately to arrange this.
Gravel 1 Grade: Long Course 57kms
Sams Bar Championship Class
(series winner of this, both male and female to be crowned GIP Champions 2025)
- 18 years and under – male and female
- 19 years to 34 years – male and female
- 35 years to 49 years – male and female
- 50 years to 59 years male and female (FITGYM Wanaka – Adair Craik Series Cup – Female 50 years and over)
- 60 years and over male and female (FITGYM Wanaka – Geoff Lienert Series Cup – Male 60 years and over)
Farm Strong Ride Strong Class (also eligible for all placings in Championship Class)
(in conjunction with Farm Strong – Fastest Farmer/Farming community entrants, both male and female to be crowned as Ride Strong 2025 Champions)
Age groups as above
Calect Electrical E-Bike Class (pedal assist only)
(this will be a competitive class this year, but expect there to be some fun with medals and prizes!!)
- 49 years and under male and female
- 50 years to 59 years male and female
- 60 years and over male and female
Gravel 2 Grade: Short Course 45kms
Rush Velo Competition Class
(competition medals for fastest series winner male and female)
- 18 years and under – male and female
- 19 years to 34 years – male and female
- 35 years to 49 years – male and female
- 50 years to 59 years – male and female
- 60 years and over – male and female
Farm Strong Ride Strong Class (also eligible for all placings in competition class)
(in conjunction with Farm Strong – Fastest Farmer/Farming community entrants, the fastest combined times both male and female will receive medals)
Age groups as above
Calect Electrical E-Bike Class (pedal assist only)
(this will be a competitive class this year, but expect there to be some fun with medals and prizes!!)
- 49 years and under – male and female
- 50 years to 59 years – male and female
- 60 years and over – male and female
Sign-on will be at the Galloway Station Hut on Galloway Road from 9am until 10.15am, riders briefing, all must attend, at 10.30am. The E-Bike class will start at 11am and everyone else shortly after that.