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The red roads of Outback Australia are calling once again, with the Shimano Gravel Muster set to return to Alice Springs from August 20–23, 2026, for its third edition.
Rapid Ascent are the brains behind the four-day gravel stage race that takes riders deep into the East MacDonnell Ranges, combining remote riding with the expert-level logistics that make the big adventure surprisingly easy to pull off.
I lined up for the inaugural Gravel Muster back in 2024, when a passionate group of riders rolled out of Alice Springs to see whether a gravel stage race in the Red Centre could actually work. Spoiler alert: it absolutely did.
There were endless horizons, dirt roads stretching forever, creek crossings that bite, and evenings spent around cattle station dinner tables, swapping stories with a bunch of like-minded people.
Now heading into year three, the event has really found its groove.
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The MTB Redback transforms into the Gravel Muster
For years, Alice Springs was home to The Redback, a four-day mountain bike stage race that brought riders to the NT to tackle the rugged trails around the township.
But Rapid Ascent looked into their crystal ball and could see the future was in a unique gravel adventure. The region surrounding Alice Springs is laced with quiet dirt roads and remote outback tracks, the sort of riding perfectly suited to modern gravel bikes.
So…they reinvented the event.
The Shimano Gravel Muster is now a four-day gravel stage race covering around 384km, with roughly half of that distance raced across timed segments.
Instead of racing the entire course each day, riders tackle timed sections within longer stages, mixing hardcore racing with social riding and big outback scenery.
The format keeps things competitive but also lets you enjoy the journey between segments. Regrouping is optional, and the vibe is very much ride at your own speed.
The people behind it | Rapid Ascent
Rapid Ascent has been running endurance events across Australia for more than two decades, but the Gravel Muster is one of their true passion projects.
Sam, John and Jeremy have a real love for the region, and this is evident from the moment you arrive at the event village.
Loads of research and engagement with the locals have gone into making the event run as smoothly as champagne gravel. In the first year, you could feel the nervous and exciting energy in the air.
But that’s all part of taking on a new challenge.
During the inaugural edition in 2024, the Red Centre served up exactly what you’d expect: big views, red dust and plenty of bone-rattling corrugated roads.
By year two, the Rapid Ascent crew had to take matters into their own hands, and the event team tells us they actually hired a grader. Somewhere between rider feedback and event planning, someone decided that if the roads were too corrugated, the solution might be to just smooth them out. Genius! It would only happen in the outback.
What makes the Gravel Muster different?
Plenty of gravel races promise adventure. The Gravel Muster delivers the real thing.
Once you roll out of Alice Springs, the event travels deep into the East MacDonnell Ranges, staying at remote cattle stations along the way. It’s not the rolling mounds of sand that I imagined; it’s full of vegetation, rocks, MOUNTAINS and is stunningly beautiful.
It’s also the cooler time of year. Average temps are in the mid-20s, so prime conditions should await you for the riding. We had unseasonably hot weather in year one, whereas year two was back to regular programming. As always, you can’t predict the weather.
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Instead of loading up your bike bags and navigating logistics, Rapid Ascent handles almost everything. Riders just bring themselves and their bikes to Alice.
Once you arrive, the event provides:
- A fully marked-out course with timed segments
- Gear transport between stages
- Camping or cabin accommodation at cattle stations
- Meals and feed stations
- Mechanical support and sweep vehicles
Your luggage is moved between stops while you ride, and the whole group settles in at remote stations each evening. You have the option to camp under the stars or stay in a cabin.
One of the highlights for me was the social aspect of the event. Everyone was exactly where they wanted to be, and all sense of urgency was left behind, especially after a day on the bike.
Big names, relaxed vibes
Despite being a long way from the traditional cycling scene, the Gravel Muster has already attracted some bigwigs of the cycling world.
In year one, Richie Porte rocked up and just tapped around on day one, before ripping everyone’s legs off the following three days with a cheeky smile on his dial the whole time.
Another former WorldTour pro, Simon Gerrans, did year two and chose to ride with his wife, using it as a cycling holiday. Chatting to him afterwards, he said it was a fantastic week away from his busy life.
The rally-style format makes it easy to ride socially between timed segments, and it’s just as common to see riders cruising together and chatting as it is to see them racing full gas.
It’s not unusual for riders to line up next to someone they’ve only ever watched on TV and then share a beer with them later, lounging by a pool made from a shipping container.
2026 Gravel Muster Course preview
The course has had minor tweaks but has stayed relatively consistent since the first year. Across four days, riders cover around 384km around Alice Springs and the East MacDonnell Ranges. The timed race sectors are scattered through the stages.
Here’s a brief overview.
Stage 1 | Prologue & Simpsons Gap Loop | 2.6km prologue + ~47km (1x race stage 17km) 210m ascent
The event starts with a short prologue around Blatherskite Park before riders head out on the Simpsons Gap loop in small groups of five, based on the prologue results.
The prologue is designed to organise the field and get the racing going early. Even with an untimed neutral start, there is likely to be a bit of chaos in the sandy back roads around town.
It’s a relatively friendly opener, rolling gravel roads, a bit of climbing and one timed segment to stretch the legs before the real adventure begins.
It’s a wild start with some rough roads to keep you on your toes. They may look smooth from a distance, but there’s always just enough loose gravel to keep you honest.
The timed section was mostly a twisty bike path, ending with a kicker to the finish and a cold beer! Not a bad way to start it off.
Stage 2 | The Garden Road | 148km (2x race stages adding up to 84km) 460m ascent
Stage two is where the adventure really begins.
Leaving Alice Springs behind, riders head out towards Hale River Homestead, with two long-timed segments spread across a big day in the saddle.
The terrain is classic outback gravel, wide-open roads, rolling hills, and endless views across the ranges.
After getting off the non-timed road liason, it’s a real “aha moment” of “this is why I came here”. A true immersive experience in the desert. But watch out for the sand bunkers; they will get ya!
Stage 3 | Arltunga to Ross River | ~90km – (2x race stages adding up to 47km) 380m ascent
Stage three winds deeper into the ranges, and you have now completely left civilisation behind.
The route heads past historic Arltunga before tackling more remote gravel roads through the hills. Two timed segments keep things honest, but don’t forget to look around you and take it all in.
Ross River Resort marks the overnight stop, and by this point, the routine is well established: ride, eat, swim, recover, repeat.
Stage 4 | The Ringwood Run | ~95km (1 race stage – 43km) 310m ascent
The final stage heads back towards Alice Springs. The race stage feels like a Mad Max film: long, straight and fast as hell! Charging back into town after days in the wilderness.
There’s one long-timed segment to empty the tank before rolling back towards town and the brewery.
By then, the legs are tired; the bikes are covered in red dust. A group of strangers now have a shared experience, a bit of Gravel Muster magic that’s impossible to recreate.
Riding gravel in Alice Springs
Even outside the event, Alice Springs is an underrated gravel destination. The area is crisscrossed by quiet dirt roads and tracks that wind through the surrounding ranges, offering jaw-dropping scenery and very little traffic.
You can explore in any direction and find something interesting. Depending on your bike setup, you can also explore the same areas as the MTB trails. There are linking tracks, but wide tyres are a good idea because there are sand traps.
Just remember that this is the outback. Carry plenty of water, check conditions and be prepared for long distances between services and even mobile reception.
What Bike to Take to Gravel Muster
The modern gravel bike with wide tyres is my recommendation for the Muster. I’d say 45mm+ is good for the sand and potential rough stuff. That’s not to say you can’t ride 40mm tyres, but there is always a trade-off. I ran 50mm tyres for a bit of extra comfort, and you won’t go wrong opting for the widest tyres your frame will take.
You can also bring an XC MTB if you like, but I wouldn’t bring anything bigger. The long kilometres would be tedious on something like an enduro bike.
Extra Bits and Bobs
For a multi-stage event, you need a few extras. After all these years, I always overpack, but it’s good to be prepared for anything.
Make sure you have a set of riding gear for each day. It’s hard to wash kit out in the scrub. The temperatures are appropriate for knicks and jerseys, but it does get cold overnight, so pack warm gear to be prepared. The campfires keep you warm up to a point.
There are plenty of feed stations (including a daily, untimed lunch stop) out on course and places to fill up water. The food is very good throughout the event. Whoever does the catering is the real star, serving up top-notch tucker for dinner to fill the belly and bring good vibes.
Bring some fuel for riding (bars, gels, drink mix, etc.) and snacks for after (salty chips, lollies, fruitcake) to keep energy levels up for the multi-day event. You can always get supplies in Alice when you arrive and put it in your gear bag before you roll out.
I remember the Hale River pie warmer getting raided on day two when we arrived, and not having heaps to feed on before dinner.
I’m not going to do a full packing list, as I think we are all adults, and you know what you personally need for a week of riding.
Enter now or miss out!
Entries for the 2026 Shimano Gravel Muster are now open through Rapid Ascent and are limited to 100 riders.
The event runs August 20–23, 2026, starting and finishing in Alice Springs and travels through the East MacDonnell Ranges over four days.
For riders chasing a proper gravel adventure, equal parts racing, exploring and outback hospitality, it’s worth putting on the bucket list.
And remember, if the roads feel smoother than expected? You have Sam, John, Jeremy… and a very big grader to thank.
This article was made possible by Tourism Central Australia. To get the skinny on Alice Springs and more on the riding scene, heaver over to the Discover Central Australia website to start planning your trip.
Photos: James Tudor
The post Shimano Gravel Muster 2026 | Muster Up Your Mates for a Gravel Adventure in the Outback appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.
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[[{“value”:”The red roads of Outback Australia are calling once again, with the Shimano Gravel Muster set to return to Alice Springs from August 20–23, 2026, for its third edition. Rapid Ascent are the brains behind the four-day gravel stage race that takes riders deep into the East MacDonnell Ranges, combining remote riding with the expert-level
The post Shimano Gravel Muster 2026 | Muster Up Your Mates for a Gravel Adventure in the Outback appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.”}]] Read More Flow Mountain Bike
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