Clarke’s Gambit: Gravel, Good Times & Great Mates

MC and event commentator Angus Calder recently attended a gravel weekend known as Clarke’s Gambit in the Bateman’s Bay area of NSW. Here’s his wrap of the action-filled overnighter.

There’s a particular kind of buzz that fills the air at a Graveleur event. It’s the kind of energy that comes from a community who genuinely know each other, from riders who show up not only for their own adventure, but to share it with all the other fans of the emerging gravel scene who join them on the startline. That feeling was unmistakable at Clarke’s Gambit this year, the final stop in the 2025 Bushranger Series, held in the beautiful bushland around Nelligen on the NSW South Coast.

I came into the weekend as one of the event MC’s alongside the enigmatic Tasmanian Andrew Main. For both of us, these events are unlike others that we find ourselves at throughout the year, and it all comes down to the strong sense of community that the affectionately known Mr Graveleur, Mike Israel, has spent so much time cultivating.

A Community That Feels Like Family

Clarke’s Gambit is one of the more intimate events on the NSW cycling calendar, especially compared to the larger, road-orientated rides elsewhere in the state. But that’s part of its charm. With a smaller field comes a tighter community. Riders working together, helping to fix any mechanical issues, and making sure everyone has the best experience possible.

It also means Mike Israel knows a surprising number of people by name. Riders give him feedback, he listens, and you often see adjustments made by the next day. It’s personal in a way big events simply can’t be.

That sense of connection threads through everything Graveleur puts on. The routes are challenging without being punishing, remote without feeling reckless. You’re given enough support to feel safe, but enough space to genuinely explore your limits. To drift into the wilderness and feel like you’re carving your own path alongside a bunch of like-minded adventurers. It’s a balance that’s harder to strike than it seems, and the Graveleur team nailed it this time around.

Day 1: North Loop – Heat, Hills And A Very Welcome River Crossing

The first day rolled out under hot, bright sunshine as riders headed into the forests west of Batemans Bay. Even from the comfort of our event base, the Steam Packet Hotel in Nelligen, you could feel the temperature rising beyond the mild 24 degrees forecast.

Riders were grateful when the course delivered one of its signature highlights, the river crossing at Shallow Crossing. The water over the concrete causeway can vary in depth from ankle deep to waist high (and deeper!). Early on it was rideable but as the tide crept up, by 1pm riders were hoisting the bike CX style and wading through knee deep water for about 100m.

With temperatures peaking at over 30 degrees, there was not a single rider regretting the opportunity to cool off while they made their way to the feedzone awaiting at the campground on the other side.

We saw a lot of content (read “exhausted”) riders roll into the beer garden at the Steam Packet Hotel to enjoy the traditional beer post gravel event, and you couldn’t wipe the smile off many of the faces around. It’s one of the best things about having a great finish line location, being able to hang out in style with the other riders and de-brief on the day.

Day 2: Southern Comfort – The Calm Without the Storm

Day 2 promised the shorter course option, but it brought something more dramatic too. Dark clouds building in the west that had us all watching the radar closely. It looked set to bucket down, but the weather pulled its punches, delivering only a light breeze, a gentle drizzle and excellent riding conditions. We had a calmer energy on the start line as the riders rolled out, looking forward to another beautiful day in the rolling hills.

As is standard procedure, everyone gathered back at the Steam Packet, rounding out the weekend with the kind of atmosphere you hope for in a series finale: With a sense of contentment from both riders and staff that can only come after another great year of incredible gravel adventures.

We were treated to an incredible giveaway from the fantastic sponsors and many riders went home with a fair whack more than they expected when they rolled into Nelligen the day before, I’m sure about that!

Celebrating the Bushranger Series Finishers

A highlight of the weekend was celebrating the riders who completed all three Bushranger events in 2025: Thunderbolt’s Adventure in Gloucester, Mary’s Mayhem in Mudgee, and Clarke’s Gambit here in Nelligen. Each series finisher walked away with a limited-edition Bushranger Gravel Series belt buckle. It was a special way to recognise the achievements of the riders that supported each event and to give them something to remember their experiences with.

We also recognised Danny Hanley and Catherine Boorer as the 2025 Series Champions, two riders who have performed consistently well all year and embodied the Bushranger spirit from start to finish.

The sponsors once again stepped up with sign-on packs that would put most races to shame: tyres, full size chain lube, even suspension stems. It felt like being a kid and getting the full-sized chocolate bars at Halloween, only better.

And of course, gratitude flowed freely toward Mike and the whole Israel family, who pour a huge amount of care into these events.

Looking Ahead: Thunderbolts Adventure – 10th Anniversary Edition

The next stop in the Graveleur calendar is a big one. The 10th Anniversary Thunderbolts Adventure will take place on April 25, 2026. Riders will roll out after attending the ANZAC Day dawn service in Gloucester, heading into the hills on 50, 100, or 250 km courses.

Word on the street is that “big things are coming” for the anniversary edition and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for everyone throughout the weekend.

So as we wrap up another year of Graveleur events, I want to extend a big thank you to the riders for making each of these events so special. For bringing such an excited and community minded attitude, you are what make these events so special.

Images courtesy of Josh @Ready Aim Media 

For further details on Graveleur events visit https://graveleur.cc