Bike It To Ballidu Gravel

Saturday 23 September 2023

Since 1999, Bike it to Ballidu has been a beloved bike event that welcomes everyone in the Wongan Hills area. Bike it to Ballidu has always been about bringing people together and having fun, and now, in 2023, it’s time to take it to the next level.

The Bike it to Ballidu committee, along with WestCycle and the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu, are teaming up to turn this event into incredible gravel adventures with something for everyone over 12km, 30km, 85km and 157km.

Find out more/register here

Route Maps for each of the four rides can be found here.

On the road to gravel:
The Bike it to Ballidu back story

Bike it to Ballidu was humbly conceived as a school fundraiser in 1999 by Matt Osborne, the former principal of Ballidu Primary School.

Excitement for the ride soon spread throughout the community. We quickly had parents and community members wanting to join in on the fun!

Soon enough the whole Wongan-Ballidu Shire was involved from local businesses offering sponsorship, to friends and family volunteering to help out. The local police and ambulance came on board to ensure everyone’s safety.

With fun and community spirit at its core Bike it to Ballidu – and the after party – quickly became a much loved and highly anticipated annual event on the local calendar.

Some 25 years later the event has survived the closure of the local school in 2016 when the baton was handed to the Ballidu Progress Group.

The group has continued to embrace the tiny town’s commitment and passion for the event by introducing new categories, bigger prizemoney and the development of local community projects.

The event has surpassed expectations in recent years and Bike it to Ballidu has seen some record-breaking numbers (except the COVID kiboshed 2020 edition) and with checkpoint marshals and riders costumes and team efforts reaching new heights we can’t wait to see what’s in store as we move forward.

Old spirit, new paths

That’s why we’re excited about WA’s peak cycling body, WestCycle, coming on board this year as Bike it to Ballidu goes off road and we transition to a gravel event we all feel has massive potential. Bike It To Ballidu Gravel offers something for everyone in our town, Shire, State and beyond. Exciting times!

There’s about 1000kms of different types of gravel roads and tracks in our Shire and we are very excited about the four new courses we have designed for our riders. They’ll give everyone who loves gravel riding, or just bike riding, a reason to come to Bike it to Ballidu Gravel in 2023 and beyond!

See you on the start line in Ballidu on the 23rd September – hopefully in fancy dress! 🤠

Danelle Hasson

BITBG Coordinator

Ballidu Progress Group

Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated.

Prize categories

Best points: Team and Individual (earned via riding skill, solving on-course challenges and fancy dress)
2nd Best points: Team and Individual
3rd Best points: Team and Individual
Best Kids Points: Team and Individual (accompanied by an adult rider)
Best Dressed Checkpoint Marshals
Best dressed team (Jon Hasson Family Award)
Best Checkpoint Challenges completed
Best Needle in the Haystack Scavenger Hunt
Hardest Riders: Team and Individual

Pricing

Wongan Thrills (157km) | $119 non-members | $99 for WestCycle members

The Ballidude (85km) | $88 & $68

Yes You Canola (30km) | $49 & $44

Just Ballidu It (12km) | $35 & $29

Bike it to Ballidu Gravel terms and conditions can be found here.

Volunteers

Are you interested in volunteering? Bike It To Ballidu is always looking for volunteers to help ensure the event runs smoothly.

If you would like more information about volunteering on the day or you would like to register your interest please contact Liz Heavey on 0428 766 589.

Additional Information

There’s plenty of accommodation options in Ballidu, Wongan Hills and nearby towns if you want to make a weekend of it:

Camp at the Ballidu Sports Ground for just $5/night – it’s basic but very doable with hot showers. (To book a camping spot just add camping to your Bike it to Ballidu Gravel registration – barefoot bowling and burgers are also an optional extra!)
Hotel rooms and accommodation units from $70/night at the Wongan Hills Hotel.
Stay at Wongan Hills Caravan Park in a group lodge, chalets, cabins, studio rooms and powered camping spots from $25/night
Nearby towns like Dalwallinu, New Norcia and Moora offer other hotel/motel and caravan park options.
More accommodation info in the area can be found here.

Wongan Hills offers numerous food options such as an IGA Supermarket and cafés which will be offering special event catering on event day.

In Ballidu, event day will see multiple food options including a menu at the Ballidu Tavern and the Ballidu Heritage Centre Café (open 9am-2pm, Friday 22 September; 7am-4pm, Saturday 23 September; 7am-1pm, Sunday 24 September)

Special event food stalls and vans will start serving in the Ballidu Event Village in the centre of town from 9am on event day.