Bicycling Australia editor Nicola and her partner Phil recently took on the gravel roads of Mudgee, including the epic Dirty Mudgee course, putting the Orbea Terra gravel bikes to the test. They quickly discovered what makes these roads so special. Minimal traffic, stunning country views, and endless adventure.
Orbea Terra M20iTeam.
The Orbea Terra M20iTeam and Terra M30Team delivered a ride that was stable, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring on everything from smooth dirt to chunky gravel. One of the biggest takeaways? Tyres matter. Riding on 38mm rubber made the rough stuff a breeze, offering grip and control that made venturing off-road feel second nature. And with the Terra’s ability to fit up to 45mm tyres or even 650b x 50 treads, there’s plenty of room to push the adventure.
“The first thing we noticed was the build quality of the bikes…Gravel bikes are designed to be comfortable on rough terrain, absorb vibrations and maintain control on loose surfaces, and the Orbea Terras delivered on this promise.”
You can read the full review in the March/April edition of Bicycling Australia Magazine.
The Dirty Mudgee
The Dirty Mudgee is back in 2025, kicking off Event Weekend Saturday the 3rd of May. Whether you’re new to gravel or a seasoned rider, this is the ultimate way to experience Mudgee’s best back roads, with minimal traffic, epic scenery, and the perfect mix of challenge and fun.
Starting at the Event Village, riders will head out on a scenic local loop that takes in wineries, Mudgee’s stunning rural vistas and quaint country roads. It will end back at the Village where cold beer, food vans and live entertainment will help sooth tired legs and bodies. Bike wise, Gravel or XC Mountain Bikes will be recommended, with tyres from 34 to 40mm, gravel-specific gear, parts and accessories. Just like the road events, safety and rider enjoyment will be top priorities. A quality Australian standard helmet is essential, plus appropriate eye wear and gravel or off-road specific cycling kit. Two bidons are recommended as it can be tough going and quite a grind out there, even on slightly cooler days dehydration is a risk when pumping pedals in the dry Australian bush.
Want to tackle the gravel? You can combine and save 20% on your Dirty Mudgee ride when paired with a Sunday road ride.
