day one
Graveleur’s Thunderbolts 2024 has come and gone and what a weekend it was. Thunderbolts is a multi-day gravel cycling event held in the breath-taking Barrington Tops region of New South Wales, Australia. For many it is considered a bucket list ride. The long distances and steep climbs offer challenges for even the most experienced riders, this year we had some serious weather thrown in for good measure!
Bossi Bicycles and Ghost Gum Bikes supported the event offering mechanic services at the feed zones. We arrived early Saturday morning at the Cobark Lookout which sat at the 60km mark on the first leg of the ride, just after the first major climb of the day. The first riders reached us mid-morning. By this point they had climbed over 1,000m which was made significantly more challenging with the apocalyptic weather that had set in.
Near freezing temperatures, high wind, and heavy rain.
Conditions pushed riders and bikes to the brink. We had bikes limp in with blown tyres, seized shift cables, destroyed pads, fouled derailleurs, broken spokes, seized pistons, and half a dozen punctures. One by one we worked through the problems and managed to get everyone rolling again which was incredibly satisfying. These riders had put so much into preparing for the event that going home empty-handed due to a mechanical would have dealt a heavy blow.
Roadside support isn’t as refined or as clinical as it would ordinarily be in our workshop. The time pressures and limited resources meant we needed to triage cases and do what was necessary to bodge a repair so that the riders could finish safely. There is something incredibly gratifying about this approach. The camaraderie and community shines in these moments when riders have to share parts or components to help everyone finish together. Cell battery died in your AXS shifter? Take my power meter battery. Your rim is too deep for that tube? Here’s my extender. Blown your tyre? I have a spare boot you can install. This sense of community was made even more palpable when the weather worsened. We saw riders sharing heat packs, wrapping foil around frozen feet, stopping on the side of the road to help stricken riders, sharing charged AXS batteries, and so on. We’ve supported many cycling events in the past and few have had the ‘togetherness’ that we experienced at Graveleur's Thunderbolts.
“the hardest day in Thunderbolts history”
At the campsite that night we sat around the fire swapping stories of the day’s events. Mike Israel gave a rousing speech commending the riders on finishing “the hardest day in Thunderbolts history”. The riders and support crew were weary but the mood and energy was bolstered by the accomplishments of the day. We had a DJ spinning tunes all night, a bar with good beer, a lovely catered hot meal, and at least 5 full cakes… No complaints.
Day Two
Sunday started with a 6am wake up. Many riders had returned to their bikes in the light of day and noticed mechanicals that needed urgent repair before rolling out at 7:30. John and I jumped back on the tools and with the efficiency of an F1 pit crew got all the bikes back up to speed... Well, almost all. One rider discovered that he had cracked his rim in 4 places. For that there is no bodge and his weekend was over – our first and only casualty (tip some gin). The sun was shining through scattered clouds, spirits were high, the riders set out with renewed gusto and determination. The second day is considered less demanding but still boasts some considerable climbs and distance. We drove ahead to the Feed Zone and set up base ready for the riders to come in. The improved conditions meant fewer mechanicals, we were instead kept busy with minor tweaks and adjustments.
Many riders tried to do the right thing by getting their bikes serviced before the event. The cautionary tale is that if you’re going to service your bike before an event it’s best to do it 2-3 weeks prior so that you have the opportunity to test the rig and iron out any issues that may arise as a result of the service. Often when you replace a chain or cassette, it needs time to mesh with the drivetrain, or worse it may introduce shifting problems as the wear is inconsistent across components.
The only issue with supporting an event like this is the fomo of not being able to ride it ourselves.
I was envious of the riders on day two. The course was dry and the conditions were perfect. It’s difficult to put into words just how spectacular this part of the country is. From prehistoric moss-covered bushlands, to giant fir forests, undulating hills, deep valleys, fast flowing rivers, and snaking creeks. It felt like we were in a different world every 10km. Apart from some corrugation at the start of the course the gravel was in great condition. A mix of hard pack clay and champagne gravel would have delighted the riders – a welcome reward for their efforts on day one.
If you haven’t already considered riding at next year’s event, put it in your calendar. It’s an exceptional event in an iconic location that is run professionally and fully supported. Congratulations to all the riders that competed this year, you’re all champions. Thanks to Mike and the team at Graveleur for their tireless effort in creating their events. Thank you to all the other volunteers that helped make the event what it was.
We’ll see you next year!
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Words by James Bossi