This years Beechworth Granite Classic was a little brighter thanks to the Knog Illumination Service Team.

The Granite Classic isn’t your typical bike race; instead it resembles more of an eclectic gathering where bikes happen to sew the common thread. Tattoo-laden, lycra clad, carbon-riding savants mix in with the casual enthusiast on their marketplace stallions – there is no room for pretentious attitudes here, only a breath of encouraging fresh air.

This was evident on Friday nights shakedown ride that traced a loop through the township of Beechworth; a peloton of various ages, sizes, bikes, and outfits weaved through the stunning trails of Ned Kelly’s former residence – past lakes, through bush, and even passing the relocated home from the film “The Castle” (Ahh, the serenity).

Riders of all descriptions disappeared into the dusk, before making their way back to mission control, a.k.a the Beechworth Brewery. Those that were smart took in the sights and sounds before resting up, those that weren’t indulged in a practice justified by “pre-race carb loading”.

Saturday presented stellar conditions for riding. Parked up outside of the iconic Beechworth Bakery pre-race, we watched groups of friends ride their bikes through the main strip ensuring any last niggles had been ironed out before they headed to the start line. The Granite Classic is an allcomers event and as such, has four different course lengths; 115, 90, 45, and 15. First to leave the starting gates were the 115km riders – enveloped by a slight haze from the morning fog, and presumably a slight haze from a residual evening fog (or hangover in bike speak). In pods of roughly 50, rider after rider took off after one another and set out to complete their day unscathed. While the mercury continued to rise, more and more riders came and went, setting off with high spirits and clean bikes.

Upon completing their chosen course, riders sprawled out across the grassy domain in their respective recovery positions. Some turned to the taco truck, others the beer tent; but wherever you looked, riders wore ear to ear grins. Stories of near-misses with Kangaroos or coming off second best to the gravel turns littered the air – riders proudly retold their stories as if they’d returned from battle, valiant and stoked by adrenaline. By early afternoon, there was hardly a patch of grass that hadn’t been claimed. Dust and sweat covered the faces of all competitors – like warpaint uniting the fans of their favourite sports team.

The Beechworth Granite Classic 2025 edition was a fantastic metaphor for what cycling should be about: the ride. It didn’t matter what you rode, or how you rode it, but instead it mattered you were willing and able to have a go. Knog were stoked to join the great list of brands and sponsors who got in behind such a well thought out event. Shout out to Cam from Bridgeroad Brewers for making it happen and we’ll see you all there again next year.