Location
The course starts and finishes in the picturesque township of Nannup, approximately 40 minutes drive from the major regional centres of Busselton, Bridgetown and Margaret River. The Melo Velo Cafe and Bike Shop is our event village host, and their delightful grounds along Brockman Street provide the perfect starting point for your SEVEN adventure. The route winds its way around the golden triangle of cycling in WA that is formed by connecting the townships of Nannup, Bridgetown and Donnybrook. This area is estimated to be around 30,000 acres and have in excess of 1000km of rideable roads and trails.
The Climbs
Thanks to the unique topography of the valley and peaks between Nannup and Balingup, the ten major climbs of SEVEN are amongst the best that the State has to offer. These climbs range in length from 1.2km to 4.5km long with gradients frequently touching on 20%. Our advice is to not use too much energy too early. The primary climbs of Brockman Farm, The Crucible, Kinky, Arcadia, and Chainsaw Ridge are in particular challenging to tired legs.
The Road Surfaces
The route has only 2.6kms of single track at the finish and virtually no fire trails. All the roads used in SEVEN are unpaved and well-formed with a mix of dirt, gravel, hard-packed clay, quartz grit and mica. They wind, climb, switchback and descend through pine plantations, state forest and farms. The best way we can describe the roads of SEVEN is “parallel single track”. They are exciting, challenging and magnificent to ride.
Who can enter?
SEVEN is open to riders of all abilities, however a medium to high level of fitness will be required to complete all seven sectors in the allotted ten hours. The event is not suitable for road bikes. For riders from non MTB backgrounds we strongly recommend the use of caution on descents, as for every epic climb in the event there is a corresponding downhill.
Entry Options
Enter with the intent to try and ride all seven sectors (SEVEN) or choose from an 85km/1700m option that takes in five sectors (FIVE) or a 50km/1100m option that takes in three sectors (THREE). There is also an option for people to sign up to be a part of our crew if you would like to be a part of the event, but don’t feel that you are up to riding.
Registration
Rider registration is from 4pm to 7pm on the Friday before the event at the Melo Velo Event Village along Brockman Street, Nannup. A rider briefing will be held immediately after from 7pm to 7:30pm. We ask that all riders make the effort to register on Friday evening and attend the rider briefing.
Event Day
The race starts on Brockman Street in Nannup at 7am sharp. We ask that all riders be on the start line by 6:45am for the pre-race briefing at 6:50am. All riders must be officially registered to start. Those who cannot make registration on Friday are asked to be at the registration desk at 6am on Saturday to collect race packs.
On course support
We have four motoscouts patrolling the course, with a SAG wagon and 4WD ambulance following the last riders. There are nine checkpoints along the route. All have checkpoint marshalls. Checkpoints 1, 2, 5, 7 and 9 are also hydration stations. The Wrights Bridge Checkpoint (no. 5 & 7) at the halfway mark is the busiest. It’s located at 42km for FIVE riders, and at 60km/81km for SEVEN riders. Our Command Post is located here, along with Vault Cycle Services, St John Ambulance and the major hydration and food station, which has fruit cake, biscuits and jelly snakes. Before the race starts on Saturday morning, you can give us your food packs and we will take them out to Wrights Bridge for you, so you can have your own preferred nutrition during the race.
Awards
Golden Axe
- Overall Fastest Male and Female
*Gold Buckles – fastest time in the following categories
- Overall Male and Female
- 40-49 Years Male and Female
- 50-59 Years Male and Female
- 60+ Years Male and Female
- Clydesdale 100kg+ Riders
*Silver Buckles
- Fastest times in above categories for riders entering FIVE
- All riders entered in SEVEN who successfully complete the entire course inside of designated cut off times.
*Silver Buckles with Blue Background
- All riders entered in SEVEN who successfully complete the entire course inside of designated cut off times for the third year in a row.
Bike Selection
The SEVEN course has been designed to accommodate both MTB and Gravel bikes without providing a clear advantage to either. Some of our more competitive riders build Superbikes that combine the best aspects of MTB and Gravel bikes into their dream machine. In 2019, approximately 65% of riders in SEVEN rode MTBs.
Accommodation
For riders wanting to stay central to all of the action the Nannup Caravan Park is positioned right on the start line and offers all of the ammenities usually associated with such facilities. You will also be within easy walking distance of the after party on Saturday night. Around Nannup and the surrounding towns there are various options for more luxurious sleeping arrangements, these can be found on the accommodation page of this website.
“SEVEN will change your perception of Western Australia forever”
