Gears and Beers 2019: Ride times, cost, festival details

He wasn't wrong.

The inaugural event was a hit with locals and visitors alike and in the ensuing years has only grown bigger and better.

Mr McIntosh said with more than 2000 rider registrations already, they are expecting to hit 3000 on the day.

Mr McIntosh said the event itself has been running for six years, but it has been five years since they started the Dirty 130 Ride.

"The concept of riding on gravel has been the attraction," he said.

"Cycling on those sorts of roads has become extremely popular and it started in Wagga five years ago.

"It's been that that has attracted a great majority of the people and they are coming out of major metropolitan areas."

Mr McIntosh said not only does the event raise money for charity and bring in tourism revenue, it also places Wagga on the map in the world of cycling.

He added it is a fun day out to celebrate the long weekend.

"Historically, touch wood, we have always had good weather and it's a great chance for people to come out and enjoy the sun in the gardens," Mr McIntosh said.

"You get an opportunity to ride, you do not have to be an expert.

"Then there is the festival afterwards."

The fun begins at 7am, when riders depart on six different rides ranging from a huge 130km in length right down to a family-friendly 7km circuit of the city.

The action does not stop there, with people then spilling in to the Victory Memorial Gardens to enjoy an afternoon filled with great food, the finest craft beers, and live entertainment.

Gears and Beers will be held on Sunday, October 6.

To find out more about registration day, dirty eve and what to do click here.

Riders from all six courses will finish at a similar time of day.

Seven-kilometre ride: This course is suitable for riders of all levels and starts at 10am from the Victory Memorial Gardens at the head of Baylis Street. Cost is $20.

For more information click here.

Thirty-kilometre ride: This course is suitable for riders of all levels and starts at 9.30am from the Victory Memorial Gardens at the head of Baylis Street. Cost is $50.

For more information click here.

Fifty-kilometre ride: This course is suitable for riders of intermediate level. The ride begins at the Victory Memorial Gardens at the head of Baylis Street at 9am. Cost is $60.

For more information click here.

Filthy 50: This course is suitable for riders of intermediate level and can be completed on Mountain bikes, Road bikes or Cyclo Cross bikes. You must be self-sufficient and proficient at changing tyres should the need arise. The ride begins at the Victory Memorial Gardens at the head of Baylis Street at 8.30am. Cost is $70.

For more information click here.

The 115-kilometre ride: This course is suitable for experienced riders. The ride begins at the Victory Memorial Gardens at the head of Baylis Street at 8am. Cost is $100.

Dirty 130: The 2019 ride is capped at 1000 riders (increased from 750 last year), departs from the Victory Memorial Gardens, and heads into the northern hills of Wagga at 7am. Please note, this ride has been booked out.

For more information click here.

To register for any of these rides, click here. Online registration closes October 5 at 10am. You can register in person on October 5 from 2.30pm to 6pm at Victory Memorial Gardens, or the morning of Gears and Beers.

The Craft Beer and Cider Festival is the ultimate finish to the cycle challenge. With the hand-crafted beers and ciders, locally roasted coffee, local food and live entertainment all on the table.

Entry to the event is $10 and open to the public (riders must wear your wrist band for free access).

Payment with card will be available at entry, and at most food vendors.

The 2019 lineup includes Joel Harrison and Haley Potts, James Bennett, Romi, Warde Elliot and the Nortons and Groove Factorie.

Gears and Beers is run by the Wollundry Rotary Club of Wagga, and 100 percent of rider registrations goes to charities.

All rider registration money is distributed to charity via the Wollundry Rotary Club. To date, the event has raised more than $160,000 for charity through rider registrations.