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The Road to Grafton

Grafton to Inverell

GI - History

Sat - 25 Jul Written by Administrator

It was a dream come true for Harold Strahley who had long fostered the idea of a great Australian cycling classic with all the characteristics of the big European events, a race that had the potential for world class status and would attract International competitors. He visualized a bicycle race linking the East Coast town of Grafton with the Northern Tablelands town of Inverell.

But it remained little more than a dream, for separating the town stood the formidable Gibraltar Range with the only way across a winding track built way back in the horse and cart era. Suddenly, the idea was converted to reality when construction of a sealed road over the Mountain Range began in 1960. Immediately Harold Strahley set his plans in motion.

The immediate reaction to the study was one of doubt, with comments of “it won’t be viable, it is too far, no one will finish, it would not receive sufficient cyclists support”; were some expressions of opinion. Undaunted the committee continued its work and within four months reported the race feasible, and backed its judgment with the sum of 1600 pounds sterling in support of the proposal.

Later Local Government, service clubs and the news media were involved and the stage was set for the first Grafton to Inverell bicycle race on Saturday, 16 September 1961.

Mr Jack Griffin, served as the race director for 30 years. He rode it and saw the race grow from a dream, to it being staged as an international race in the 80’s. His passion continues and we still have his presence on current race days.

Read more at: http://www.graftontoinverellcycleclassic.com.au/site/

The 49th edition of the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic

Tue - 16 Jun Written by Administrator

Brian Crawford, Friday, 3 April 2009

The 49th edition of the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic will be held on 12 September. Organisers have confirmed the date after negotiations with Cycling NSW finalised last week.

The 228km race regarded as the toughest one day race in Australia will again be sponsored by McDonalds who are in their second year as the major sponsor for the event.The race will follow the same format as last year with three grades contesting the 228km course with the cream of Australia’s domestic cyclists to compete.The Celtic Country Classic de Femme will attract some of the best female cyclists in the country to race over the 95km journey from Glen Innes to Inverell.Organisers have also confirmed the running of the Junior under 19’s race from Glen Innes to Inverell for the second time. They are confident the junior race will become one of the biggest junior one day races on the calender with up and coming riders keen to race over some of the course of the classic.The Grafton to Inverell will once again be a category one event on the National Road Series conducted by Cycling Australia. Last years series was closely contested with the Grafton to Inverell deciding the winner with David Pell snatching the series win with his win in the race.Visit the race website www.graftontoinverellcycleclassic.com.au for more information on sponsors, entry details and accommodation.

The GI curse

Thu - 04 Sep Written by Administrator

Why is it that despite our best efforts and intentions, we can never get more than 1 or 2 riders doing Grafton to Inverell. I think the WRCC guys are a bunch of tough nuts and more than able to do this race, so there must be something more sinister lurking behind the scenes. Recently there has been talk of the GI curse - a curse that effects all WRCC riders determined to do this race. Could this be true? Let's reflect a bit on this rumour.

Mark Lynch, one of our newer members, and a guy who I would have definately pegged as being one of the contenders recently has developed what appears to be a tendonitis on the hip, seriously damaging his chances of performing as well as he should on race day.

The Terminator rumour has it, as tough as he may be, has had to succumb to work commitments and throw in the towel, at least for this year.

And now myself (the red lantern) sit here with a shattered collar bone, concussion and a sore head after a bad crash on Tuesday while riding to work.

And lets not forget to mention El Presidente (GI Rob),the silver bullet who suffered severe trauma when he realised that he woud have to get up early nearly every morning to do the training for this race - he did last about 2 weeks in training, and that said, he put in a good effort for those 2 weeks.

Fortunately Russel H still looks like a contender, but it seems like it may be a lonely ride for him - and that's still after being cleaned up by a car about 2 months ago.

So it sems that once again WRCC will only be represented by a small contingent in New South Wales. However , there is always next year, and I for one intend to be back out on the battlefield and ready for this event.