Flecks of mud spatter Mark Chong’s face.<\/p>\n
He has just cycled 160 kilometres along gravel roads in Nabawa, a rural community 480 kilometres north of Perth, in about four-and-a-half hours.<\/p>\n
But he can’t stop smiling.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old, who has only been gravel riding for three years, was named the men’s state gravel cycling champion at the Backroads Gravel event.<\/p>\n
He is one of a growing number of “gravel grinders” across the world to adopt the discipline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mark Chong cycled 160 kilometres in just over four hours and thirty minutes.\u00a0 (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n
What is gravel cycling?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chong describes the sport as a mix between mountain biking and road cycling, combining fitness and technical skill on unpaved trails.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Gravel cycling often takes place in regional areas. (Supplied: Daniela Tommasi)<\/p>\n
He likes that it keeps riders away from cars and closer to nature in places like Nabawa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“You’ve got the canola fields, so if it ever gets too painful you can just look to the side and get a good view,” he said.Bike wheels on a gravel road<\/p>\n
Chong has noticed interest in the gravel sport picking up, including in metropolitan areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Even in Perth, where it\u2019s just the city centre, I\u2019d say one in five bikes is a gravel bike,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
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Mitch Docker travelled from Victoria to particpate in the Backroads Gravel event. (Supplied: Daniela Tommasi)<\/p>\n
Former professional cyclist Mitch Docker has noticed the trend, too.<\/p>\n
“Gravel bike riding has exploded in, probably, the past five years,” he said.<\/p>\n
Cycling participation has risen across Australia since Australia’s Cadel Evans won the 2011 Tour de France.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the experienced rider says the added safety of isolated tracks draws people to the off-road discipline.<\/p>\n
“When you’re on the road you’re always a bit on the edge, thinking about the next car coming,” Mr Docker said.<\/p>\n
“When you’re on the gravel, especially private roads, you really do feel free.”<\/p>\n
Mr Docker says gravel biking provides freedom. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville)<\/p>\n
Nannup to draw world’s best gravel riders<\/p>\n
WestCycle chief executive Wayne Bradshaw says WA’s natural beauty makes the regions frontrunners to host national and international competitions.<\/p>\n
“It’s great scenery out there, ranging from wildflowers to rugged coastlines,” he says.<\/p>\n
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Natural scenes are one pull towards gravel cycling. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloe Henville; Supplied: Daniela Tommasi)<\/p>\n
He says WA will be centre stage when Nannup, 270 kilometres south of Perth, hosts the 2026 Gravel World Championships.<\/p>\n
With about 3,000 competitors, it has the potential to bring 10,000 visitors to the town, which is home to fewer than 1,000 residents.<\/p>\n
‘Race-cations’ in the regions<\/p>\n