THE SENSE of adventure, going new places and travelling in nature keeps drawing Al Noveloso to gravel riding.
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Noveloso is an experienced roadie and has done the Ballarat Cycle Classic road ride, which features the notorious Mount Buninyong nationals climb.
But the introduction of a Gravel Grind - almost 45 kilometres out into the Creswick forest - is what has lured him back to enter in the Classic.
Melbourne-based Noveloso said the pandemic, couple with recovery from eye surgery, led him to ride more trails and away from traffic and Melbourne drivers.
The experience has opened up a whole new world of riding for him: far more casual and relaxed that most road rides.But gravel rides were also an incredible technical challenge.
It was nice to be out in the bush and listening to nature - so serene. There is a real technical aspect to riding but there are no cars and it's a different type of concentration.
- Al Noveloso
"I did a ride in East Dandenong this week and it was nice to be out in the bush and listening to nature - so serene," Noveloso said. "There is a real technical aspect to riding but there are no cars and it's a different type of concentration.
"...Some roadies treat these rides seriously and get kit out in lycra but I feel there's a bit more freedom in gravel riding - you can wear shorts and a t-shirt or some stop for coffees. It's more relaxed."
Noveloso blogs his journies on his Instragram page @chunky.chilled.cyclist, a title playing on the fact his build was stockier than a typical cyclist and the fact he was pretty chilled in his approach to riding. At the same time, cycling was still a serious pursuit.
Noveloso is starting to step up training for the Gravel Grind. He said 45km on a road bike might sound okay but it felt a whole more demanding on gravel.
He has lined up the Great Otway Gravel Grind, near Lorne, a week later and The Dirty Pig and Whistle Gravel Grind in Creswick in May.
Noveloso was determined to be in good form.
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Gravel rides are generally suitable for all bike types such as road, mountain bike, cyclo-cross. Noveloso encouraged riders to have a go.
The cause is also important to Noveloso. All money from entry fees in Ballarat Cycle Classic support Ballarat's Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.
Noveloso's mum died with liver cancer 24 years ago. He said while the event was for the riders, their combined efforts were worth so much more.
His sister-in-law is also a research scientist who has previously studied cancer.
Noveloso will also make a family event out of the ride. Just like any regional event he enters, part of the deal is wife and children (11 and 14 years old) stay and explore for the weekend.
Ballarat Cycle Classic is February 19-20. Details: ballaratcycleclassic.com.au.
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