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 26 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.
And now of course – the move from asphalt to gravel.
Old Spirit, New Paths
Last year went so well, we’re super excited about making the second Bike It To Ballidu Gravel even bigger and better in 2024!
We’ve listened to rider feedback and refined the courses so there’s less boggy sand and double-Gs and more epic riding and landscapes on the bigger rides and more fun on the novelty, family loop. They’ll give everyone who loves gravel riding, or just bike riding, a reason to come to Bike it to Ballidu Gravel in 2024 and beyond!
See you on the start line in Ballidu on the 21st September – hopefully in fancy dress!
Danelle Hasson
BITBG Coordinator – Ballidu Progress Group
