Welcome to the return of the Property Brokers Gravel in Paradise Series for 2025 with a 4 round series this year and bought to you by Cycling Otago.
The Puketapu Gravel 'n' Tar is round 2 of the Gravel in Paradise Series. Starting at the base of Puketapu, "Sacred Hill". A first-up short and sharp climb on the tar seal of Horse Range Road then takes you straight onto the tight, fast and furious technical gravel section, this short circuit will be navigated four times around by the Gravel 1 class and three times by the Gravel 2 class. Hang on tight to those bars as you are in for an exhilarating ride! Starting at DJ Murray Hall at East Otago High School, Horse Range Road, Palmerston, Otago and finishing on Fleming Road, with a short ride back to the start.
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 Puketapu Gravel 'n' Tar and spot prizes kindly donated by My Ride Dunedin. Prizegiving is at the Waihemo Lodge, Main Street, Palmerston 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://www.gravelinparadise.co.nz/
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 65kms (4 laps, extra 2 km on the 1st lap)
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 50kms (3 laps, extra 2 km on the 1st lap)
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 DJ Murray Hall, East Otago High School, Horse Range Road, Palmerston, Otago from 9am until 10.15am, riders briefing that all must attend at 10.30am and racing starting around 11am.