Organized Events: Gravel

Back for 2021, Wild Horse Gravel showcases the unique high desertscape of the Western Slope. Hosted on the luxury High Lonesome Ranch, riders will be treated to a country cook-out, campfire, cabins, camping – or glamping – and the best local music. In short, there will be a Colorado country party to accompany the ride.

In addition to being hidden well, well off the beaten path, The High Lonesome Ranch and its surrounding area isn’t open to riding year-round, so participants benefit from exclusive access to this secret stash of wild-west gravel. You’ll only be disappointed if you were hoping for a bunch of auto traffic on the route.

We have two routes to choose from, and riders can decide which one on the day – even mid-ride. Feeling strong when you get to back to the ranch? Then turn head back out for another lap. Feeling like 45 miles is plenty? Then rest your legs at the ranch Totally your call.

There are two timed segments that you can take as seriously or as frivolously as you like — the name of the game is doing a big gravel ride with friends new and old. Even those that hammer away at maximum speed will stop to regroup, taking in the views and the delicious local goodies at the well-stocked feed station. As with all Roll Massif Sportives, you’re going to want to bring your camera.

MadGravel sends riders on the most epic routes along the eastern Colorado slope. With amazing views of three 14’ers, you’ll get the best vantage point of the entire front range. Riders will get to challenge themselves on one of three courses as you depart from beautiful Peaceful Valley Boy Scout Ranch south of Kiowa, Colorado. Don’t begin to think this is a flat course. There are serious punchy climbs throughout, but you won’t even notice as you take in the stunning landscape. As one of the first gravel races on the Colorado calendar, you will be glad you participated in this fully supported and ultra-scenic race. When the riding is over, the party begins where refreshments and post-race food await you.

Routes
Marathon: 78 miles
Ultra: 123 miles
Sprint: 43 miles

What is Co2uT?

Co=Colorado, 2=To, uT=Utah.
A kick-ass gravel race from Colorado to Utah – and back!
Like no other Gravel on Earth!

Grand Junction – Fruita – Moab

Awesome, Road bike or Mountain Bike –  that you did know.

But, driving the 1-70 corridor, looking north, you see a no-man’s-land. Having lived in this region for decades we finally said “What if? What if something is out there?”

We went exploring, and unlike the conquistadors, we found the treasure – Hidden in plain sight.

Mind-blowing terrain, roads, gravel, hills, views, wildlife & epic adventure! Now, you get to find it too.

The best gravel you never knew – Racing from Colorado, across the border to Utah and back.

You are about to find what we found. It’s not no-man’s-land. It’s Desert Gravel “Like no other on Earth!” You’ll never look out ‘there’ the same way again…

The RMCC will explore the terrain of Larkspur during the 2021 Rampart Epic Double Century. Mixed terrain ride, requiring gravel bike or at least 35mm tires; 40mm or so is optimal

Elephant Rock is a true Colorado cycling classic, dating back more than 30 years. This legend has endured for good reason — the excellent riding is matched by the festival atmosphere and the professional support out on course.

This year we have three road courses (44, 60 and 100 miles), one gravel/road route (28.5 miles) and one great family ride (8 miles). It all goes down June 6 in Castle Rock, Colorado, with all rides starting and finishing at Douglas County Fairgrounds.

And the rides are only half the party! The Colorado Bike Expo on June 6 will feature scores of cool exhibitors, demos, live music, food and more.

The RMCC will explore the terrain of Golden during the 2021 Tarryall Thrasher Double Century.

Course Highlights:
Distance: 222 miles
Climbing:18,800 feet

Crooked Gravel takes a few cues from an exploratory event the legendary Ron Kiefel put together a decade ago called Crooked Roubaix. Back before gravel bikes were really a thing, Kiefel and some friends set out on a 95-mile dirt-road adventure from Winter Park up into the high mountains on road bikes.

Fast forward to 2021 and gravel bikes are a thing. Our two routes take in the very best of Grand County gravel, with long, winding climbs up through aspen and pine forests, wide open descents under the massive Colorado sky and – on the long route – some secret tracks never before explored in a cycling event.

If nothing worth doing is easy, then Crooked Gravel is certainly worth doing… Both routes tackle over 5,000 feet of climbing on gravel, beginning in at 8,500 feet elevation.

The FoCo Fondo is a daring gravel cycling adventure that starts and finishes at New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado. Choose family-friendly 12- or 25-mile routes and make those end-of-summer memories together. Or challenge yourself with the rolling 50-mile route or the ultimate Bite the Bullet 100-mile gravel fondo. Post-ride, enjoy the FondoFest festival full of food trucks, vendors, bike-demos, live music, and activities for the kids. A portion of profits go to support after-school and summer programs through Safe Routes to School, an FC Bikes program. *Mileage is approximate, pending final permits.

SBT GRVL is a world-class gravel race experience held on the greatest gravel roads on Earth in and around the magnificent Steamboat Springs, CO. The unique combination of the quiet roads surrounding a thriving resort town create a setting for an incredible gravel bike race. With the fundamental goal of inclusiveness, we want to focus not only on the race, but a fantastic weekend away with family and friends. The beauty of the mountains (not to mention the camaraderie with fellow cyclists) as well as the basic challenge of covering these gravel roads on two wheels is something that will not soon be forgotten.

50 miles, 6,000′ elevation gain

The Lake City Alpine 50 Endurance Mountain/Gravel Bike Race starts in beautiful Lake City, Colorado, a small mining town located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains at 8,671 feet, and will follow the iconic Alpine Loop back to Lake City. The race distance will be a little over fifty miles and will include over 7,500 vertical feet of climbing. The race will head south out of Lake City on Highway 149 to some fun single track traversing the Lake City Ski Hill. The single track will continue along the Lake to Lake trail above Vickers Ranch and will head by the Legacy Lodge before exiting onto Hinsdale County Road 30 leading to Lake San Cristobal. Lake City’s namesake was formed by a rare natural earthflow called the Slumgullion Slide, which blocked the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, creating the second-largest natural lake in Colorado and one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire state of Colorado.

After about four miles, the course will then head onto Hinsdale County Road 33, a dirt road located on the East side of Lake San Cristobal. Be on the lookout for moose, osprey, and bald eagles as the sun starts to cast its rays across this gorgeous lake. Crossing the bridge over the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, the course heads back on Hinsdale County Road 30 skirting the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River for the next approximately sixteen miles before the climbing starts to get tough. Along the way, you will pass by three 14,000-foot peaks (Handies, Sunshine, and Redcloud) and various abandoned mining towns (Carson, Sherman, and Burrows Park). You will also catch views of American Basin, a stunning wildflower wonderland and one of the most photographed places in Colorado. For the next two miles, your lungs will be tested as you approach the top of 12,640-foot Cinnamon Pass.

You will then descend from Cinnamon Pass for about two miles into Animas Forks (11,200 feet), a ghost town, but once a bustling mining town and one of the highest mining camps in the Western United States. After Animas Forks, for the next four miles you will ascend the steep backside of Engineer Pass (12,800) before making a nearly nineteen-mile fast descent along Henson Creek, which includes passing through another ghost town, Capitol City (named because its founder had hopes of the town becoming the capital of Colorado), Nellie Creek (which leads up to 14,016-foot Wetterhorn Peak), the once booming Ute-Ulay Mine and Mill, and then back to Lake City to finish the race in Lake City’s Town Park.

The RMCC will explore the terrain of Canon City during the 2021 Gold Belt Gravel Double Century. Mixed terrain ride, requiring gravel bike or at least 35mm tires; 40mm or so is optimal

Course Highlights:
Distance: 194 miles
Climbing: 15,700 feet

The Crippler is a Colorado-style gravel road race that will provide AMAZING scenery with panoramic views while simultaneously pushing your limits for climbing and descent.