# Gravel God Race Database — Full Context

> 384 gravel, MTB, and bikepacking races rated on 14 base dimensions plus a Cultural Impact bonus.
> Produced by Gravel God (gravelgodcycling.com). Generated: 2026-08-16

## Scoring Methodology

Each race is scored on 14 base dimensions (1-5 scale):
logistics, length, technicality, elevation, climate, altitude, adventure, prestige, race_quality, experience, community, field_depth, value, expenses.
Cultural Impact is a bonus dimension scored from 0-5.

Overall score = round(((sum of 14 base scores + Cultural Impact) / 70) * 100).

Tier assignment:
- Tier 1 (Elite): score >= 80, OR prestige=5 + score>=75
- Tier 2 (Contender): score >= 60, OR prestige=5 + score<75 (capped at T2)
- Tier 3 (Solid): score >= 45
- Tier 4 (Roster): score < 45
- Prestige 4 promotes one tier (but not into T1)

## Tier 1 & Tier 2 Races (172 races)

### Transcontinental Race
Tier 1 | Score: 97/100 | 3100 mi | 210,000 ft | Across Europe (route changes annually) | July | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/transcontinental-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/transcontinental-race.md

The flagship European ultra — 4,000-5,000km self-supported across a continent. Mike Hall's legacy. The ultimate test of human endurance on a road bike. A continental crossing by bicycle. Start and finish points change each year — London to Istanbul, Geraardsbergen to Thessaloniki, Roubaix to Istanbul, Santiago de Compostela to Constanta, and Trondheim to Kalamata. The free-route format means riders plan their own path between 4 mandatory control points, each spaced 500-1,200km apart. Between checkpoints, you could ride 800km on flat highways or 600km through mountain passes — the strategic choice is yours. Mandatory parcours at each control point (5-100+ km of prescribed route, often on gravel through mountains) force every rider through the same crucible. The TCR is not about any single course — it is about the concept: cross Europe by bike, self-supported, as fast as you can. Signature challenge: 4,000-5,000km self-supported across a continent. Free-route navigation between mandatory control points. 30,000-64,000m climbing depending on edition and route choice. 0-40C temperature range. Clock never stops. No support. The ultimate test of human endurance, navigation, and self-reliance on a road bike. The Transcontinental Race is ultra-distance cycling's most iconic European event. Founded by Mike Hall in 2013, it established the template for self-supported racing that defines the sport. 4,000-5,000km across a continent, free-route format, clock never stops, completely self-supported. TCR does not compare to other races — it is the standard against which all European ultra races are measured. Finishing is a lifetime achievement. Winning is legend. Yes if you have 2+ years ultra-distance experience, can ride 300-400km days consistently, handle extreme sleep deprivation, and want cycling's ultimate European challenge. Yes if you have completed Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1,200km+ audax, or a shorter ultra-distance race. Skip if you have not completed multi-day unsupported rides. Skip if you cannot commit to 6+ months of dedicated training. Skip if you expect it to be 'just a long race' — this is an expedition that happens to be timed. Non-negotiables: Ultra-distance riding experience — minimum 1,200km+ unsupported ride completed; Proven equipment setup tested over 1,000+ km including charging system, lighting, and navigation; Route planning for all 4 checkpoint-to-checkpoint segments with contingency alternatives

### Unbound Gravel 200
Tier 1 | Score: 95/100 | 200 mi | 11,000 ft | Emporia, Kansas | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/unbound-200/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/unbound-200.md

The gravel race by which all others are measured. Relentless. Not one killer climb, but 200 miles of constant attrition. At 200 miles, this is a full-day effort. With 11K+ feet of climbing, the vertical gain is relentless. Signature challenge: The heat. The duration. The Flint Hills don't negotiate. Heat adaptation isn't optional—it's survival. The combination of 200 miles and extreme temperatures creates a unique endurance challenge. Unbound is gravel racing's Mount Everest—not because it's the hardest course, but because it's the race that defines the sport. Riders don't 'do' Unbound casually. They plan for it, obsess over heat protocols, and show up knowing that crossing the line in Emporia means something. The course itself isn't new—rolling terrain, gravel, heat. What makes it legendary is the field, the atmosphere, and the weight of the finish line. If you finish Unbound, you've earned it. If you're asking whether Unbound is 'worth it,' the answer is probably yes—but only if you're willing to commit to the training, the logistics, and the reality that this race will test every assumption you have about your durability. It's not fun. It's not easy. But it's unforgettable. Non-negotiables: Heat adaptation protocol built into weeks 6-10; Flint-specific cornering and line selection skills; 9-hour dress rehearsal in week 9

### Tour Divide
Tier 1 | Score: 94/100 | 2745 mi | 200,000 ft | Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico | June | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-divide/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-divide.md

The longest mountain bike time trial on earth—2,745 miles from Banff to Mexico, completely self-supported, pure amateur ethos. A 2,745-mile expedition along the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. The route passes through 5 US states and 2 Canadian provinces, crossing the Divide 30+ times. Terrain ranges from glaciated Canadian Rockies to Wyoming's Red Desert to Colorado's 11,000+ foot passes to New Mexico's rocky Gila Wilderness. Surface is roughly 90% unpaved—mostly gravel and forest service roads with some singletrack and paved connectors. The character changes daily as you ride south through changing ecosystems, elevations, and climates. Signature challenge: The complete package—2,745 miles of self-supported suffering through every climate zone, every terrain type, and every mental state across 2-4 weeks on the Continental Divide. Tour Divide is bikepacking racing at its purest and most extreme. 2,745 miles from Banff to Mexico, completely self-supported, no entry fee, no prizes, no sponsors—just you, your bike, and the Continental Divide for 2-4 weeks. It's not really comparable to other races; it's an expedition that happens to be timed. The combination of distance, elevation, terrain diversity, climate extremes, and complete self-reliance creates something unique in endurance sports. With only ~716 finishers in history and a 47-60% DNF rate, completing Tour Divide joins a very exclusive club. Yes if you have serious ultra-endurance experience and can commit 2-4 weeks to the Continental Divide. Yes if you can handle complete self-sufficiency across remote terrain. Yes if you want the ultimate test. Skip if you haven't completed multi-day self-supported events. Skip if you need race organization, aid stations, or support crews. Skip if you cannot repair your own bike.

### The Traka 200
Tier 1 | Score: 91/100 | 126 mi | 8,694 ft | Girona, Catalonia, Spain | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-traka/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-traka.md

Europe's Unbound-distance race — 202km of technical Mediterranean gravel from Girona's Empordà plains to the Gavarres massif in a single day. A full day of Mediterranean gravel racing: a paved climb out of Girona opens the route before dropping onto gravel, the Empordà plains carry riders past olive groves and stone farmhouses toward Figueres, a long gentle climb runs from Anglès to Sant Hilari Sacalm, and a technical Gavarres massif singletrack finale closes the loop back into Girona. 84% unpaved, with rocky Mediterranean surfaces demanding real bike-handling in the closing kilometers. Signature challenge: The Gavarres massif singletrack finale — technical, demanding bike-handling, and saved for the closing kilometers back into Girona. If you're serious about gravel and have any connection to European cycling culture, the Traka 200 is a must. It's not just a race — it's a pilgrimage to the sport's spiritual home. Where else can you ride the same roads out of Girona that WorldTour pros train on, then finish through the Gavarres massif in a single day? Yes, if you want Europe's premier one-day gravel experience and can handle a full day of racing inside a 12-hour cutoff. The Traka 200 delivers Gravel Earth Series-level legitimacy, stunning Catalan terrain, and a genuinely international field. Just be ready for rocky, technical sections and pack tires suited to 84% unpaved ground.

### Unbound XL
Tier 1 | Score: 91/100 | 350 mi | 14,000 ft | Emporia, Kansas | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/unbound-xl/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/unbound-xl.md

The longest gravel race that matters, where the Flint Hills strip away everything but what's left of your soul. Unbound XL is a 350-mile commitment to Kansas limestone gravel that slices tires and punishes poor line choices across the rolling Flint Hills. The course feels like prairie purgatory — constant undulations that never let you settle into a rhythm, with long stretches between gas station salvation points. Sharp, chunky gravel demands constant vigilance while the relentless rollers chip away at your soul one hill at a time. Signature challenge: The 75-mile gap between meaningful resupply points turns nutrition into a high-stakes chess match. Most riders crack not from the hills or the gravel, but from running out of food or water in the Kansas void where gas stations close at 10 PM and your mistakes compound in the darkness. You need to finish a 200-miler first, preferably two. The 36-hour cutoff sounds generous until you're grinding limestone in your 16th hour with 150 miles still ahead. Self-supported means what it says—no crew, no checkpoints, just you and whatever gas stations stay open past midnight in rural Kansas.

### Colorado Trail Race
Tier 1 | Score: 90/100 | 530 mi | 72,500 ft | Durango to Denver, Colorado | August | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/colorado-trail-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/colorado-trail-race.md

The Colorado Trail doesn't care about your FTP when you're pushing your bike through talus fields at 13,000 feet. The CTR is 530 miles of high-altitude punishment disguised as a trail race. You'll spend most of your time above 10,000 feet, where 70% singletrack means constant technical riding interrupted by mandatory hike-a-bikes. This isn't gravel racing—it's Alpine survival with a bike occasionally underneath you. Signature challenge: The altitude never lets up—you'll average over 10,000 feet for 530 miles while navigating technical singletrack that forces constant hike-a-bikes. Most riders don't realize that CTR's difficulty isn't the climbing, it's maintaining any rhythm when you're pushing your bike every few miles at oxygen levels that make sea-level riders dizzy just standing still. This is for riders who've already proven they can suffer for days, not weekends. You need legitimate bikepacking experience, gear dialed for everything from desert heat to alpine storms, and the fitness to hike-a-bike for miles without breaking. If you haven't done multi-day self-supported racing or think 530 miles sounds doable because you can ride centuries, stay home.

### Trans Am Bike Race
Tier 1 | Score: 90/100 | 4233 mi | 175,000 ft | Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia | June | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/trans-am-bike-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/trans-am-bike-race.md

The longest self-supported bike race on earth—4,200+ miles from Pacific to Atlantic, crossing 10 states, no support crews, pure transcontinental adventure. A 4,200+ mile expedition from Pacific to Atlantic following the historic TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. The route passes through 10 states, crossing the Continental Divide in Colorado and the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia. Surface is roughly 90% paved—quiet county roads, bike paths, and low-traffic highways. The character evolves dramatically: Pacific Northwest forests, Rocky Mountain passes, endless Kansas plains, Ozark rollercoasters, Ohio River farmland, and steep Appalachian ridges. This is America condensed into one transcontinental ride. Signature challenge: The complete American experience—4,200 miles coast to coast through every landscape, every climate, every mental state across 2-5 weeks of self-supported suffering. Trans Am Bike Race is the longest self-supported bike race on earth—4,200+ miles from the Pacific to Atlantic, completely self-supported, across 10 states and every American landscape. While Tour Divide claims the crown for toughest mountain bike ultra, Trans Am is the road equivalent: pure expedition cycling at maximum distance. The mostly-paved route is more accessible technically but no less demanding physically—175,000 feet of climbing over 2-5 weeks will humble any cyclist. With the historic TransAmerica Trail as its backbone and 50 years of trail angel culture, this is America's great cycling pilgrimage. Yes if you have serious ultra-endurance experience and can commit 2-5 weeks to crossing America. Yes if you can handle complete self-sufficiency across 4,200 miles. Yes if you want the ultimate American cycling pilgrimage. Skip if you haven't completed multi-day self-supported events. Skip if 200+ mile days for weeks on end sounds impossible. Skip if Kansas wind and Appalachian rollercoasters would break your spirit.

### Badlands
Tier 1 | Score: 89/100 | 497 mi | 52,493 ft | Granada, Andalusia, Spain | August | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/badlands/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/badlands.md

The world's hardest gravel race—800km through Spanish deserts and alpine passes, completely self-supported. An 800km expedition through Andalusia's extremes. Desert badlands that look like Mars, Europe's only true desert (Tabernas), and the 3,396m Pico Veleta climb. Self-supported means you carry what you need between remote villages. The combination of distance, elevation, heat, and self-reliance is unmatched in gravel racing. Signature challenge: The complete package—800km of desert heat, alpine altitude, and multi-day self-supported suffering through some of Europe's most extreme terrain. Badlands is gravel racing taken to its logical extreme. 800km, 16,000m climbing, 40°C+ deserts, 3,400m alpine passes, completely self-supported. It's not really comparable to other gravel races—it's an expedition that happens to be timed. The combination of distance, elevation, heat, and self-reliance creates something uniquely brutal. Finishing Badlands is a lifetime achievement that earns permanent respect in ultra-endurance circles. Yes if you have genuine ultra-endurance experience and want the ultimate test. Yes if you can handle extreme heat and self-support logistics. Skip if you haven't completed multi-day bikepacking events or can't adapt to 40°C+ conditions.

### Crusher in the Tushar
Tier 1 | Score: 89/100 | 69.9 mi | 10,000 ft | Beaver, Utah | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/crusher-in-the-tushar/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/crusher-in-the-tushar.md

The climber's gravel race—where thin air separates pretenders from contenders. Relentless vertical. You climb for 35 miles, then descend for 35 miles. Simple math, brutal execution. Signature challenge: The altitude. 10,000+ feet average means your power is down 10-15%. Plan accordingly. Crusher is what happens when you take a mountain stage of the Tour and add gravel. It's not for everyone—flat-landers and non-climbers will suffer disproportionately. But if you love vertical and want to test yourself against thin air, this is your race. If you love climbing and want a race that rewards it, absolutely. If you're a diesel-engine flat-lander, consider something else. The altitude alone makes this a specialist's race.

### Gran Fondo Nove Colli
Tier 1 | Score: 89/100 | 127 mi | 12,600 ft | Cesenatico, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-nove-colli/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-nove-colli.md

Ultimate Italian gran fondo icon: 9 savage climbs, 12,000 souls, eternal glory.

### Leadville Trail 100 MTB
Tier 1 | Score: 89/100 | 100 mi | 11,900 ft | Leadville, Colorado | August | mtb
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/leadville-100/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/leadville-100.md

The mountain bike endurance race that defines the category. Bucket list for a reason. Out-and-back with one massive climb (Columbine) and relentless terrain. The altitude is the course. Signature challenge: Columbine. The climb to 12,600 feet breaks people. If you can't hike-a-bike at altitude, you can't Leadville. Leadville isn't the hardest 100-mile race technically. It's not even the most scenic. But it's the most meaningful. The history, the community, the belt buckle—finishing Leadville changes how you see yourself as an endurance athlete. It's a rite of passage. Yes—if you're serious about endurance riding and willing to commit to proper altitude preparation. No—if you can't take time to acclimatize or haven't trained specifically for high-altitude suffering.

### Belgian Waffle Ride
Tier 1 | Score: 87/100 | 107 mi | 7,367 ft | Del Mar, California | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-california/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-california.md

The race where bike handling skills outweigh FTP and 40% learn what DNF feels like. The 2026 Waffle starts and finishes at the Del Mar Polo Fields and covers 107 miles with 7,367 feet of climbing. Its 30 unroad sectors make up 53% of the route and mix gravel, deep sand, rocks, doubletrack, decomposed granite, dirt, and singletrack. The former Double Peak summit finish is not part of the Del Mar course; Zick-Zack and Saint Lusardi are among the closing sectors. Signature challenge: The un-road format—tire choice and bike handling matter as much as FTP—now closes with Zick-Zack and Saint Lusardi instead of the retired Double Peak summit finish. Belgian Waffle Ride earns its 'Hell of the North County' nickname through relentless variety rather than single massive climbs. The current-era course (Del Mar Polo Fields venue, since 2025) runs roughly 106-107 miles with about 7,500 feet of climbing, mixing 70% pavement with 30% 'unroad'—dirt, gravel, single-track, sand, water crossings, and rock gardens. Earlier editions (pre-2025, San Marcos venue) ran longer, 120-135 miles with 10,000+ feet of gain. Founder Michael Marckx designed the route to expose riders who rely on draft in group rides but lack comprehensive bike handling and endurance skills. The 40% DNF rate validates the course's effectiveness at separating technical riders from pure power athletes, maintaining BWR's identity as an 'un-road' race rather than a pure gravel endurance test. Yes, if you have legitimate technical skills from cyclocross or mountain biking, can handle 12+ hour moving time, and want to test yourself against a course designed to expose weaknesses. The race rewards actual bike riding—handling rough descents, choosing correct lines through sand, managing energy across varied terrain. It's expensive and honest about your capabilities. Skip it if you're purely a power athlete with limited technical skills, have never ridden extended single-track or sand, or can't stomach California travel costs ($1,200-1,800 total). Also skip if you need grassroots intimacy—BWR offers professional production and competitive intensity, not community warmth.

### Torino Nice Rally
Tier 1 | Score: 87/100 | 435 mi | 52,493 ft | Turin, Italy to Nice, France | September | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/torino-nice-rally/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/torino-nice-rally.md

The quintessential European bikepacking pilgrimage - 700km crossing the Alps on legendary military roads for 25 EUR. A 700km pilgrimage across the Maritime Alps from Turin's Piazza Giambattista Bodoni to Nice's Rifugio Massacan. The route weaves between Italy and France across 10+ major cols, alternating between legendary Tour de France climbs and historic military gravel roads. 65% paved alpine roads, 35% gravel including the sublime Gardetta Pass 'Little Peru' and Via del Sale finale. Every day takes riders over passes above 2,000m. The sweet spot between 2,000-3,000m where peaks escape trees and sky becomes more blue. Signature challenge: The complete Alpine crossing - 700km, 16,000m+ climbing, legendary military roads, self-supported through the Maritime Alps from Italy to France. The Torino Nice Rally represents bikepacking at its purest. 700km crossing the Maritime Alps from Italy to France on legendary military roads, fully self-supported, for 25 EUR. It's not a race - it's a pilgrimage. The Gardetta Pass 'Little Peru' section is described as possibly the most mesmerizing gravel ride in the world. Via del Sale's finale is 30km of dream gravel. The refugio culture, the rolling community, the charity mission for Smart Shelter Foundation - this is what the bikepacking ethos looks like when executed with soul. Founded with Tour Divide inspiration, TNR has earned its legendary status. Yes if you want authentic bikepacking adventure without commercial racing pressure. Yes if you appreciate community, charity, and soul over competition. Yes if you're prepared for multi-day Alpine self-sufficiency. Skip if you need race infrastructure and support. Skip if rocky military roads will destroy your pure gravel setup.

### Big Sugar Gravel
Tier 1 | Score: 86/100 | 99.6 mi | 6,200 ft | Bentonville, Arkansas | October | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/big-sugar/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/big-sugar.md

Fall gravel perfection—stunning scenery, top-tier town, legitimately hard course. The current flagship is 99.6 miles with approximately 6,200 feet of gain on rarely maintained Ozark roads with loose rocky gravel, limited pavement, water crossings, and bridges. Signature challenge: Approximately 6,200 feet of gain across 99.6 miles of loose, rocky Ozark gravel and mixed surfaces. Big Sugar takes everything great about fall gravel—colors, weather, community—and combines it with a legitimately hard course. The Ozarks' endless punchy terrain creates a unique challenge. Add Bentonville's cycling culture and you've got a complete experience. Yes if you love punchy terrain and want a complete cycling destination experience. Maybe not if you're strictly a flat-course diesel.

### Gravel Earth Series
Tier 1 | Score: 86/100 | 208 mi | 12,139 ft | Global (HQ: Girona, Spain) | February | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-earth/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-earth.md

Europe's premier gravel circuit—global adventure racing from Girona to Kenya to Iceland, built on passion over profit. A global circuit that delivers genuine adventure across continents. The Traka offers Mediterranean gravel with sea views and Catalan forest trails. Migration throws riders into Kenya's safari lands with wildlife encounters and Maasai villages. Iceland provides volcanic otherworldliness. The Oregon Trail delivers American multi-day stage racing. Each event is distinct, but all share the GES ethos: adventure over pure competition. Signature challenge: The sheer variety—committing to GES means racing Mediterranean forests, African safari lands, volcanic Iceland, and American mountain ranges. No other series delivers this breadth of adventure. Gravel Earth Series represents the soul of gravel racing—adventure, community, and global exploration rather than pure competition. Where Life Time offers production polish and prize money, GES offers riding with giraffes in Kenya, volcanic rifts in Iceland, and Mediterranean forests in Girona. It's 'more of an experience than a competition,' as founder Cristina Freixes puts it. The 2026 consolidation (from 23 to 12 events) and calendar controversies suggest growing pains, but the core experience remains top-tier. Yes if you want adventure beyond typical gravel racing and value experience over prize money. Yes if you're European-based or seeking unique global destinations. Yes if community vibe matters more than production polish. Skip if you need significant prize purses, prefer USA-based racing, or can't handle the travel logistics and expenses.

### SBT GRVL
Tier 1 | Score: 86/100 | 108 mi | 8,189 ft | Steamboat Springs, Colorado | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/steamboat-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/steamboat-gravel.md

Champagne gravel at altitude with a three-day festival vibe that somehow doesn't ruin the racing. SBT GRVL serves up 108 miles of Colorado's famous 'champagne gravel' - smooth, fast surfaces that seduce you into thinking this will be easy. The 8,189 feet of climbing happens gradually across working ranch land, aspen groves, and sage-covered hills, with 70% gravel that ranges from hero dirt to loose chunky sections that'll humble your bike handling. Signature challenge: The thing nobody tells you about SBT GRVL: champagne gravel is fast until it isn't. The deceptively smooth surfaces let you burn matches early while altitude (course tops out near 8,500ft) and 21 categorized climbs compound every tactical mistake. Riders consistently report feeling it in their power output specifically in the back half, after the Mile 38 cutoff has already sorted the field. If you can hold 20+ mph for five hours at 7,000 feet, the Black course rewards fitness with buttery gravel and legitimate competition. The roughly 10 mph elapsed-average cutoff at Mile 38 sounds generous until you're grinding into headwinds at altitude. Come undertrained and you'll get pulled to the Blue course finish, which isn't the worst fate given the scenery.

### Gravel Worlds
Tier 1 | Score: 84/100 | 150 mi | 10,000 ft | Lincoln, Nebraska (Sandhills Global Event Center) | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-worlds/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-worlds.md

The OG grassroots gravel race—where the spirit of the sport lives on in Nebraska summer heat. Long, hot, and humbling. NOT flat—'hill after hill after hill' averaging 4-5% grade either up or down the entire 150 miles through iconic cornfields. 10K+ feet of climbing with no single killer climb, just relentless rolling. Mud possible in wet years. Organizer does not publish the exact route until 7-14 days before race day, so specific course features can't be confirmed this far out — the suffering zones below describe the heat/fatigue progression riders consistently report, not fixed course landmarks. Signature challenge: The heat and the relentless rolling terrain (no flats, per rider accounts). Heat adaptation isn't optional—it's survival. Exact route is announced 7-14 days before race day, so specific landmarks aren't confirmable this far out. Gravel Worlds represents what the sport was before corporate money arrived. It's authentic, community-driven, and legitimately hard. The 'World Championship' name started as a joke but the race earned its reputation through genuine challenge. Yes if you value authenticity, community, and genuine challenge over polish. Yes if you can handle August Midwest heat. Not if you need corporate production value.

### Dirty Reiver
Tier 1 | Score: 83/100 | 124 mi | 12,100 ft | Kielder, Northumberland, England | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dirty-reiver/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dirty-reiver.md

Britain's original gravel race where 4,300 meters of climbing meets technical terrain and British weather that doesn't negotiate. The 2026 200 km course is one continuous loop through Kielder Forest with approximately 3,700 metres of climbing. The organizer describes it as nearly 100% off-road on hard-packed gravel access roads, with all grades of loose gravel. Signature challenge: Approximately 3,700 metres of climbing across a 200 km loop that is nearly all off-road, with remote Kielder terrain and changeable April weather. Dirty Reiver is what happens when you take American gravel ambition and drop it in British conditions. The result is a genuinely hard event that tests fitness, skills, and weather resilience. If you want to understand UK gravel culture, you do Dirty Reiver. Yes, if British gravel interests you. Dirty Reiver is non-negotiable for UK gravel credibility. Just be ready for the registration sprint, the weather roulette, and the technical terrain that separates prepared riders from hopeful ones.

### Gravel Locos
Tier 1 | Score: 83/100 | 118 mi | 6,000 ft | Hico, Texas | — | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-locos/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-locos.md

Budget-priced 150-mile Unbound tune-up on gorgeous Texas gravel where Texas heat is the great equalizer. The organizer still publishes only the completed 2025 routes. That year's flagship was 118 miles with approximately 6,000 feet of climbing on open roads with water crossings and a flood backup route. Signature challenge: No current course is published; the last completed flagship was 118 miles with approximately 6,000 feet of gain. Gravel Locos started as a free, charity-donation event and has since grown into a tiered-registration race ($85-$185 depending on distance) — still well under the $250+ entry fees of the destination-gravel circuit. Pros use it as their final rehearsal. Amateurs get to ride with them on gorgeous Texas gravel for a fraction of what Unbound or BWR costs. The catch? Texas heat that can hit 120°F and aid stations that occasionally run dry. Yes if you want a legitimate ultra-gravel experience at a fraction of destination-race entry costs, with international competition and legendary Texas hospitality. Just train for heat.

### The Mid South
Tier 1 | Score: 83/100 | 106.9 mi | 6,506 ft | Stillwater, Oklahoma | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/mid-south/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/mid-south.md

The early-season gravel race with the biggest heart and the most unpredictable conditions. The current main route covers 106.9 miles and 6,506 feet of climbing. It is fast and tactical when dry and can become a mud slog when Oklahoma red clay is wet. Signature challenge: The weather lottery. You train for months but Oklahoma decides what race you're riding. The Mid South is what happens when someone builds a gravel race around unreasonable hospitality instead of unreasonable suffering. Bobby Wintle hugs every finisher. The DFL gets the biggest trophy. The community shows up like their lives depend on it. And the weather? The weather does whatever Oklahoma wants. When it's dry, you get a blazing-fast tactical race. When it's wet, you get an unrideable mud nightmare. Either way, you finish to live music, local beer, and a town that genuinely wants you there. This isn't the hardest gravel race. It's not the longest. But it might be the one with the biggest heart. If you value community, celebration, and authentic hospitality over predictable racing conditions—yes, absolutely. If you need to know what you're getting into before you commit—maybe reconsider. The Mid South is chaos wrapped in a Bobby hug. Some years it's fast and perfect. Some years it's a mud disaster. Some years it gets cancelled by wildfires. But the people who come back year after year aren't coming for the course—they're coming for the experience. Show up ready for anything. Leave with stories. Non-negotiables: Weather adaptation training for unpredictable conditions (cold, heat, wind); Red clay handling skills and mud preparation; Wind exposure training on exposed ridgelines

### UCI Gravel World Championships
Tier 1 | Score: 83/100 | 88.9 mi | 12,182 ft | Nannup, Western Australia, Australia | October | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/uci-gravel-worlds/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/uci-gravel-worlds.md

The only gravel start line where 12,182 feet of Nannup climbing is merely the price of getting to race for a rainbow jersey. The long course packs 3,713 metres of climbing into 143 kilometres. The organizer describes wide gravel roads, varied unpaved surfaces, and climbs that are seldom long but arrive steeply and in quick succession. All categories share the same start, finish, and final 27 km southern loop. Signature challenge: Absorbing 3,713 metres of ascent when the climbs are short, steep, and too tightly spaced to offer meaningful recovery. The 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships bring the rainbow-jersey race to Nannup for the first edition outside Europe. The primary men's long course is a provisional 143 km with 3,713 m of climbing and at least 80% gravel; other categories race 125 km or 90 km. Qualification is mandatory. This is a world-title start line on a genuinely severe climbing course, not an open-entry destination fondo. If you qualified, yes—but train for the course you actually have: 143 kilometres, 3,713 metres of climbing, at least 80 percent gravel, and almost no recovery between steep efforts. If you did not qualify, this is not an open-entry bucket-list race.

### Belgian Waffle Ride Cedar City
Tier 1 | Score: 81/100 | 117 mi | 5,940 ft | Cedar City, Utah | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-cedar-city/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-cedar-city.md

Half the climbing of San Diego. All the suffering. Plus miles of playground sand at altitude. 117 miles. 5,940 ft of climbing. 60% unroad. Starting at 5,846 ft. Sand, washboard, and rock at altitude — the 2026 route dropped the old technical singletrack for flowing dirt/gravel. The first 3.5 hours average ~23 mph; the pace slows as the sand and altitude add up. Signature challenge: Playground sand sectors and washboard rollers at altitude — the 2026 all-new route swapped the old technical singletrack for flowing dirt/gravel but kept the sand. BWR Cedar City is what happens when you take the Waffle formula and add playground sand, high-desert rock, and Utah weather roulette. The 2026 edition ran an all-new 117-mile route that dropped the old technical singletrack for flowing dirt and gravel — still 5,940 ft of climbing starting at 5,846 ft. Four feed zones support the distance. Utah's high-desert weather (near-freezing starts some years) adds its own suffering. Yes if you want a different BWR challenge that tests sand navigation, weather adaptability, and late-race mental fortitude. Cedar City punishes under-prepared riders more than they expect. Come with 40mm+ tires, cold-weather layers, and a pacing plan built for a long day at altitude.

### Jeroboam
Tier 1 | Score: 81/100 | 186 mi | 23,000 ft | Bergamo, Italy | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/jeroboam/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/jeroboam.md

Italy's gravel masquerading as a wine tour until 7,000 meters of climbing and mandatory night riding separate the romantics from the masochists. Jeroboam masquerades as gravel but delivers two-thirds asphalt—don't be fooled, this isn't easy road riding. The Lombard Prealps serve up Roman cobbles, vineyard doubletrack, and 30% mountain bike trails that'll have you hiking sections. Wine country never tasted this bitter. Signature challenge: The 4pm start guarantees you'll ride most of this beast in complete darkness, navigating technical terrain with a headlamp while your body shuts down. It's not the 7,000m of climbing that breaks people—it's doing it blind for 14 hours straight. Show up undertrained and the Lombard Prealps will humble you by kilometer 30. The 4pm start means you're grinding technical singletrack in the dark with dead legs, so your bike handling better be dialed. This isn't a gravel race—it's a 24-hour suffer fest through vineyards that thinks it's the Giro.

### Rebecca's Private Idaho
Tier 1 | Score: 80/100 | 104 mi | 6,860 ft | Ketchum, Idaho | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rebeccas-private-idaho/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rebeccas-private-idaho.md

The gravel pilgrimage that sells itself through pure experience. 104 miles and 6,860 feet of climbing on a redesigned gravel route with a sustained 2,500-foot climb over Corral Creek Summit. Signature challenge: The 104-mile distance, 6,860 feet of climbing, and sustained 2,500-foot climb over Corral Creek Summit. RPI is what happens when a legendary athlete shares her passion with the community. It's not the hardest race, not the longest, not the most technical—but it might be the most soulful. The combination of top-tier scenery, genuine community, and Rebecca's personal involvement makes this special. Yes—if you can afford the trip and want to experience gravel at its most soulful. This isn't just a race; it's a community gathering hosted by royalty.

### Rift Valley Odyssey (RVO)
Tier 1 | Score: 80/100 | 295.2 mi | 32,808 ft | Kiambu County to Maasai Mara, Kenya | September | mtb
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rift-valley-odyssey/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rift-valley-odyssey.md

An elite adventure race combining top-tier African wilderness, GPS self-navigation, and wildlife migration experiences—not a competitive race but a transformative expedition. Epic multi-day mountain bike adventure through Kenya's most dramatic landscapes, combining technical singletrack with remote jeep track navigation. Each stage crosses incredible terrain littered with wildlife, from verdant farmlands to blistering volcanic deserts. The race culminates at Maasai Mara during the Great Migration, offering post-race safari and hot air balloon experiences.[1][2] Signature challenge: Mt. Suswa volcanic terrain combined with sustained high-altitude climbing and self-navigation through unmarked singletrack in the Loita Hills Non-negotiables: Garmin GPS device with Kenya road map (mandatory for self-navigation); High altitude fitness (60% of route above 2,000 m); Self-sufficiency mindset (minimal course markings, remote terrain)

### Sea Otter Classic Gravel
Tier 1 | Score: 80/100 | 89 mi | 8,100 ft | Monterey, California | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/sea-otter-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/sea-otter-gravel.md

A gravel race wrapped in North America's biggest bike festival. Experience > competition. Fast fire roads with coastal character. More about the experience than pure gravel suffering. The 90-mile race is 1/2/3 laps of an identical ~29.6-mile loop through Fort Ord National Monument and the Laguna Seca circuit, so signature features (Lookout Ridge, the sand pits, the finishing climb) recur every lap rather than appearing once. Signature challenge: The distraction. There's so much happening at Sea Otter that the race can feel secondary. Stay focused or get caught up in expo madness. Sea Otter gravel is best understood as part of the larger festival experience. If you want a pure gravel race, look elsewhere. If you want to race gravel AND attend North America's biggest bike expo, this is your event. Yes if you want the full Sea Otter experience and gravel is your discipline. No if you're looking for a pure gravel bucket-list race.

### Unbound Gravel 100
Tier 1 | Score: 80/100 | 103 mi | 4,373 ft | Emporia, Kansas | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/unbound-100/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/unbound-100.md

All the Unbound prestige, all the Kansas suffering, half the distance—still not easy. A ~100-mile test through the Kansas Flint Hills. The exact route is redrawn most years (Life Time has combined and reshuffled 'north'/'south' course features in recent editions), but the character holds: it leaves Emporia through Wabaunsee and Morris Counties, passes a checkpoint at Council Grove (a stable landmark, historically ~mile 50), and shares its brutal flint rock roads, rolling terrain, and open-prairie exposure with the 200—just compressed into a faster, more intense package. Signature challenge: The combination of tire-destroying flint, Kansas heat, and self-sufficiency with only one checkpoint. Simple but relentless. The 100 is designed as a launchpad to the 200—and it delivers. All the Flint Hills suffering, the Unbound atmosphere, the iconic finish, but in a (slightly) more digestible package. You'll still get humbled by Kansas. You'll still earn your finisher glass. And you'll probably start eyeing the 200 the moment you cross Commercial Street. Yes if you want the top-tier Unbound experience in a (relatively) more accessible package. Yes if you're building toward the 200. Skip if lottery entry or Kansas weather are deal-breakers.

### Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego
Tier 1 | Score: 79/100 | 106.5 mi | 7,500 ft | Del Mar, California | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-san-diego/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-san-diego.md

Belgian suffering translated to sunny San Diego, where Double Peak turns roadies into believers and flatlanders into casualties. BWR San Diego masquerades as an American Belgian classic, trading cobblestones for bone-rattling dirt sectors and sandy washes across 23 off-road segments — everything from rocky single-track at Lake Hodges to the infamous sandy traps of Bandy Canyon. The course saves its cruelest joke for last: Double Peak, a 4.5-mile climb that turns savage in the final mile when your legs are already cooked. Signature challenge: The Muur van Dubbelberg — Double Peak's final mile averages 11% with 20-23% pitches when you've already climbed most of the day's 7,500+ feet. The last 800 feet of elevation come in that brutal final kilometer, forcing riders to 'paperboy' diagonally across the road just to keep moving. Your FTP means nothing here. You need legitimate climbing legs and the patience to navigate technical single-track when you're already cooked. This isn't a pure gravel race—it's a Spring Classic with dirt sectors that'll shred tires and egos equally. Show up undertrained for Double Peak's 20% final pitches and you'll be walking in front of 2,800 witnesses.

### Little Sugar MTB
Tier 1 | Score: 77/100 | 30 mi | 3,500 ft | Bentonville, Arkansas | April | mtb
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/little-sugar-mtb/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/little-sugar-mtb.md

The Ozarks' limestone will shred your tires and ego in equal measure across 60 miles of relentless technical punishment. 30 miles, 3,500 ft. 70% singletrack, 30% gravel/dirt. Bentonville MTB trails (Slaughter Pen). Technical Ozarks terrain. Technical rating: 4/5. Signature challenge: Technical Ozarks singletrack + punchy climbs. MTB skills required. Little Sugar MTB is new LTGP race (founded 2025). Pairs with Big Sugar Gravel (same weekend—MTB Saturday, gravel Sunday). 30 miles, 3,500 ft. 70% singletrack, 30% gravel/dirt. Bentonville MTB trails (Slaughter Pen)—technical Ozarks terrain. Life Time Grand Prix race (pro field: Keegan Swenson, Sofia Gomez Villafane). 1,000+ riders. Bentonville is MTB mecca (Walmart headquarters, top-tier trails). Early April spring conditions (50-70°F). If you want LTGP MTB race in top-tier trails, this is it. If you want gravel or dropbar, skip it (or do Big Sugar Sunday). MTB required. You need advanced MTB skills and bulletproof tires—this isn't gravel cosplaying as mountain biking, it's legitimate XC suffering on sugar-sharp limestone that sounds like riding on glass. The Ledges at mile 39 will humble anyone who hasn't spent serious time on technical singletrack. Skip it if you can't handle extended conga lines or if your idea of technical is a gravel road with potholes.

### Seven
Tier 1 | Score: 76/100 | 78 mi | 10,500 ft | Nannup, Western Australia | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/seven/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/seven.md

Australia's crown jewel—hosting 2026 Worlds with brutal climbs, wildlife hazards, and Western Australian wilderness. A relentless climbing race through Western Australian pine plantations and state forests. The 'parallel singletrack' roads are often just two tire tracks wide with grass in the middle. Sharp quartz grit and mica create constant flat tire risk. 12-13 categorized climbs with 3,200m total elevation in 125km—one of the highest climbing ratios in gravel racing. Signature challenge: The Crucible—the 20%+ grade climb on loose surface where 'I went to hell and back... gradients frequently touching 20%' is the common refrain. SEVEN is Australia's answer to the world's great gravel races—and in 2026, it will literally host the World Championships. The 125km course through Western Australian forests is brutally technical with 3,200m of climbing on sharp quartz gravel. The Crucible alone, with 20%+ grades on loose surface, separates this from smooth US gravel. It's a genuine adventure race in a location that surprises everyone who expected red desert. Yes if you want a bucket-list Australian adventure and handle technical terrain. Yes if you're chasing UCI Gravel World Series. Skip if the travel commitment to Western Australia is prohibitive.

### BWR Utah (Belgian Waffle Ride Utah)
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 117 mi | 5,940 ft | Cedar City, Utah | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-utah/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-utah.md

Cedar City's altitude strips away your excuses while loose rock strips away your skin—Utah's answer to European suffering with American scenery. 188 km, 1,811 m. 70% gravel, 30% paved. Utah red rock—high desert, technical sections. Technical rating: 4/5. Signature challenge: 188 km + 1,811 m elevation + June heat (20-32°C). Utah red rock. BWR Utah is red rock adventure—188 km, 1,811 m elevation. Founded ~2021. 70% gravel, 30% paved. Utah red rock—high desert, technical sections. 500-800 riders. Cedar City, UT. June conditions (15-30°C, hot). BWR series entry ($180-$250). If you want Utah red rock scenery with technical climbs and waffles, this is it. If you need cool weather, skip it. June heat is the challenge. Show up if you can handle bike handling at 6,000 feet where thin air meets technical terrain. The 92% unroad isn't just marketing speak—it's sand, rock, and singletrack that punishes hesitant front wheels and rewards desert racing experience. Skip it if you think gravel means smooth fire roads or you've never raced above 4,000 feet.

### Dartmoor Legend Ultra Sportive
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 200 mi | 19,700 ft | Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7XS, England | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dartmoor-legend-ultra/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dartmoor-legend-ultra.md

UK's definitive ultra sportive - 200 miles of Dartmoor savagery. Brutal figure-eight through Dartmoor National Park featuring iconic granite climbs, coastal roads, and remote moorland traverses. Riders pass Postbridge feedstation three times, Princetown twice, creating rhythm of suffering and recovery across Devon's wild interior. Signature challenge: 19-hour time limit from 5AM to midnight averaging 10.5mph including all stops - Dartmoor takes no prisoners.

### Étape du Dales
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 106 mi | 10,500 ft | Settle, North Yorkshire, England | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/etape-du-dales/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/etape-du-dales.md

Ultimate Yorkshire Dales sufferfest - 10,500ft of cinematic climbing punishment. Brutal Yorkshire Dales epic featuring seven monster climbs through wild moorland, remote valleys, and iconic high passes. Cinematic scenery meets relentless gradient. Signature challenge: Coal Road to Dent Station - relentless 7.8% gradient delivering you to England's highest mainline railway station through remote gritstone wilderness.

### Flandrien Ride
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 99 mi | 5,500 ft | Oudenaarde, Belgium | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/flandrien-ride/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/flandrien-ride.md

Ultimate Flandrien proving ground – suffer on hallowed cobbles, claim immortality in stone. Punchy hellingen and vicious cobbled sectors through Flemish Ardennes, evoking Tour of Flanders suffering in self-paced glory. Signature challenge: Conquer all 59 marked berg & cobble Strava segments within 72 hours for your engraved stone on the Wall of Fame.

### Migration Gravel Race
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 404 mi | 26,000 ft | Maasai Mara, Kenya | — | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/migration-gravel-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/migration-gravel-race.md

Four days through Kenya's Maasai Mara where heat, altitude, dust, and wildlife create the ultimate gravel adventure. Four days through the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Wildlife crossings. Cultural immersion. Volcanic terrain. It's a safari with a timing chip. Signature challenge: It's not one thing—it's everything. Heat. Altitude. Dust. Distance. Wildlife. Four days of sensory overload. Migration isn't a race you do for a time or placing. It's a race you do for the experience. Four days through Kenya's Maasai Mara with full support, wildlife encounters, and landscapes that rewire your brain. If bucket-list gravel exists, this is it. Yes, if you can afford it and can get a spot. Migration is the gravel adventure of a lifetime. No other race combines this level of support, experience, and pure adventure. Just be ready for the price tag and the cumulative stress of four consecutive days.

### Mt. Fuji Hill Climb
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 15 mi | 4,600 ft | Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/mt-fuji-hill-climb/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/mt-fuji-hill-climb.md

Brutal paved assault up Mt. Fuji—Japan's signature sufferfest.

### Race Across France
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 1553 mi | 80,000 ft | Dinan to Mandelieu-la-Napoule, France | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-across-france/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-across-france.md

Ultimate French ultra-road odyssey: suffer the miles, conquer the cols, celebrate on the Riviera. A monumental road ultra traversing France from Brittany's rugged coast to the French Riviera, blending coastal paths, rural farmlands, volcanic Massif Central climbs, and culminating in the high Alps with relentless elevation and visual splendor. Signature challenge: Cime de la Bonette ascent: Europe's highest paved road at 2802m, the ultimate test of power, pacing, and altitude tolerance after 1,400+ miles.

### The Rift
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 124 mi | 8,530 ft | Hvolsvöllur, Southern Iceland | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-rift/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-rift.md

Iceland's volcanic gravel race where you literally cross between continents and experience weather that doesn't negotiate. Otherworldly. Black volcanic sand, lava fields, glacier views. It looks like Mars with better air. Signature challenge: The weather. Iceland doesn't care about your race plans. You can experience four seasons in four hours. The Rift is gravel racing as geological adventure. The course crosses the Mid-Atlantic Ridge—you literally ride between continents. The terrain is volcanic, the weather is unpredictable, and the landscapes are unlike anywhere else on Earth. This is cycling adventure at its most otherworldly. Yes, if bucket-list adventure matters more than racing. The Rift delivers geological pilgrimage, otherworldly terrain, and a story you'll tell forever. Just be ready for Iceland's weather and the expense of getting there.

### Transiberica
Tier 2 | Score: 79/100 | 1864 mi | 157,480 ft | Oudenaarde, Belgium to Bilbao, Spain | August | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/transiberica/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/transiberica.md

Europe's premier unsupported ultra-road odyssey across continents and iconic climbs.

### Belgian Waffle Ride Asheville
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 129 mi | 13,000 ft | Asheville, North Carolina | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-asheville/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-asheville.md

BWR's Blue Ridge cousin serves up Belgian-style punishment with Southern humidity and 10,000 feet of Appalachian reality checks. 129 miles, 10,000 ft. Belgian-style: 60% gravel, 30% pavement, 10% dirt. Blue Ridge Mountains. Technical gravel sectors. Technical rating: 4/5. Signature challenge: 129 miles + 10,000 ft + humid heat. Blue Ridge brutality. BWR Asheville is Blue Ridge brutality—129 miles, 10,000 ft elevation, Belgian-style mixed terrain (60% gravel, 30% pavement, 10% dirt). Founded 2018 as BWR series expansion. Technical gravel sectors (BWR signature—rough, chunky, steep). 800+ riders. Asheville tourist city. Late May/early June = 60-85°F + humid. 15-25% DNF. If you want Blue Ridge suffering and BWR challenge, this is it. If you want pure gravel or easy terrain, skip it. You need solid climbing legs and comfort on technical gravel—those steep, chunky sectors don't forgive weakness. The 129-mile distance isn't the killer; it's the relentless elevation combined with late May humidity that breaks people. Show up undertrained and you'll join the 25% DNF rate somewhere around mile 80 when the Blue Ridge climbs start compounding.

### BWR Montana
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 115 mi | 8,000 ft | Bozeman, Montana | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-montana/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-montana.md

The Belgian Waffle Ride that actually lives up to its Belgian difficulty rating, where Montana's mountains separate the climbers from the pretenders. The 2026 Waffle registration lists 100-ish miles, and the organizer describes more than 8,000 feet of climbing over smooth tarmac, steep gravel climbs, fast descents, and rugged backcountry roads. Exact route figures vary by year. Signature challenge: A year-variable Waffle of approximately 100 miles with more than 8,000 feet of climbing across paved and unpaved Montana mountain roads. BWR Montana ("Hell of the Bozone") is a Montana Rockies adventure around Bozeman — course length and gain have varied by year (a rider-logged 2025 edition ran ~87mi/~7,900ft; the organizer's stated 2026 'Waffle' course is 115mi/~8,240ft). Founded ~2022. Mixed gravel and paved roads, mountain terrain, technical sections. 500-800 riders. Bozeman, MT (great town, good airport access). June mountain conditions. BWR series entry ($180-$250). If you want Montana Rockies scenery with technical mountain gravel and waffles, this is it. If you need flat terrain, skip it. Mountain terrain (and altitude — the course repeatedly climbs above 5,000ft from a start just under it) is the challenge. Show up if you can sustain power above 5,000 feet (the course repeatedly climbs above that line from a Bozeman start just under it) and don't mind walking your bike when the grades hit double digits. This isn't about gravel handling—it's about whether your legs can push a big gear up endless climbs while your lungs adjust to Montana altitude. Skip it if you think 8,000+ feet of elevation gain (the current organizer-stated figure; it has varied by year) sounds fun on paper.

### Grinduro
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 60 mi | 7,800 ft | Multi-Location Global Series | — | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro.md

Four timed segments scattered across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada dirt — race hard when it counts, cruise with friends when it doesn't. Grinduro flips gravel racing on its head - four brutal timed segments scattered across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada terrain, with social cruise sections between the suffering. You'll ride conversationally through spectacular mountain scenery, then absolutely torch yourself for 5-15 minutes when the clock starts ticking. Signature challenge: The format itself is the killer - you can't pace conservatively because only four segments count, but you can't go full gas because there are three more stages coming. It rewards complete riders who can climb, descend, and suffer repeatedly while managing effort across 60 miles of Sierra Nevada punishment. You need legitimate climbing legs for 7,800 feet and technical handling skills for those singletrack descents. The format saves you from pacing disasters but won't save you from being undertrained. Show up fit enough to go anaerobic for 10 minutes at a time across varied terrain, or you'll get shelled on every timed segment.

### Hærvejsløbet — The Viking Gran Fondo
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 186 mi | 3,300 ft | Flensburg, Germany to Viborg, Denmark | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/haervejslobet/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/haervejslobet.md

Viking-fueled endurance test blending history, hills, and high-quality organization. Historic point-to-point road epic tracing the ancient Hærvejen ridge through Jutland's ice-age formed hills, blending cultural landmarks with relentless rolling terrain. Signature challenge: Crossing the German-Danish border early, then battling cumulative elevation and wind-swept ridges to the triumphant red carpet finish in Viborg.

### NorthCape 4000
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 2485 mi | 98,000 ft | Rovereto, Italy to North Cape, Norway | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/northcape-4000/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/northcape-4000.md

Ultimate self-supported European traverse from Rovereto to North Cape redefines endurance adventure.

### Sierra Nevada Límite Gran Fondo
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 91 mi | 11,000 ft | Cenes de la Vega, Granada, Spain | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/sierra-nevada-limite/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/sierra-nevada-limite.md

Ultimate Spanish climbing crucible for masochists who crave thin air and endless VAM. Brutal high-altitude road gran fondo through Sierra Nevada's demanding alpine passes, blending endurance suffering with panoramic mountain beauty. Signature challenge: The continuous 38km+ mountain passes culminating near Veleta peak at over 3100m, Europe's highest road finish line.

### Struggle Dales
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 109 mi | 9,430 ft | Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/struggle-dales/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/struggle-dales.md

Struggle Dales is one of the UK's most challenging and prestigious sportives, offering ambitious road cyclists an unforgettable test of endurance across the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Struggle Dales is one of the UK's hardest sportives, set in the beautiful but brutal Yorkshire Dales landscape. The event takes riders over stunning yet unforgiving terrain through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, featuring seven iconic climbing challenges that have earned the route cult status among ambitious road cyclists nationwide. Signature challenge: Park Rash stands as the most renowned climb on the route, recognized as a defining feature of the Struggle Dales experience and a bucket-list challenge for serious road cyclists.

### Tour of the Peak
Tier 2 | Score: 77/100 | 113 mi | 9,500 ft | Bakewell, Derbyshire, England | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-of-the-peak/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-of-the-peak.md

Peak District's savage climbs on historic roads—a true test of grit. Brutal road sportive through Peak District National Park, relentless hills with savage short pitches and long grinds, rewarded by stunning vistas and fast descents. Signature challenge: The 'ride of heroes' long route tackling Winnats Pass, Holme Moss, and Cat and Fiddle in one day—over 10,000ft of Peak District punishment.

### Graean Cymru
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 70.2 mi | 6,795 ft | Llyn Brenig, North Wales, United Kingdom | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/graean-cymru/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/graean-cymru.md

A polished UCI race on remote Welsh forest gravel, with enough singletrack and weather risk to punish lazy setup choices. A two-lap reservoir-and-forest course that is almost entirely off road, with short singletrack, long rolling forest sectors, and repeated steep interruptions. Signature challenge: Stay efficient on 99-percent off-road terrain while repeating the same punchy forest climbs and preserving speed for the exposed reservoir finish.

### Grinduro France
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 62 mi | 6,562 ft | Xonrupt-Longemer, Vosges, France | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-france/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-france.md

Grinduro's inaugural European outing trades California dust for Vosges forests, keeping the party-to-pain ratio intact. Enduro format: 4 timed descent stages (technical singletrack), untimed climbs. 62 miles, 6,562 ft. Vosges mountains: steep, forested, technical. Rewards MTB descending, allows social climbing. Signature challenge: Technical singletrack. MTB skills required. Crashes possible. Grinduro France is the French edition of the international festival-race series. Same format as Germany (untimed climbs, 4 timed descents), same party atmosphere (live music, camping, expo), but French: wine instead of beer, Vosges instead of Eifel, French food instead of German. New venue in 2024 (moved to Vosges from Monts du Lyonnais) brings stunning mountain scenery. Most riders prioritize experience over results. Technical descents reward MTB skills but are optional—untimed climbs allow social riding. If you loved Grinduro Germany but prefer French wine and mountain views, this is it. If you can handle 100 kilometers of varied terrain without crying about gravel bike handling, this works. The 2,000 meters of climbing spread across French forest roads won't destroy you, but the mix of surfaces rewards riders who can adapt rather than specialists. Show up for the weekend festival vibe, not pure racing—Grinduro's DNA is equal parts suffering and beer.

### Grinduro Germany
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 62 mi | 6,562 ft | Hellenthal, Eifel, Germany | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-germany/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-germany.md

A weekend festival disguised as a gravel race where your descending skills matter more than your FTP. Unique enduro format: 4 timed descent stages (technical singletrack/doubletrack), all climbs untimed. Rewards MTB descending skills, allows social climbing. 62 miles, 6,562 ft elevation. Eifel volcanic landscape—German forest roads and technical descents. Signature challenge: First technical test. Sets the tone. MTB skills required. Loose, rooty, rocky. Grinduro Germany is what happens when you cross a gravel race with a music festival and MTB enduro. The format is unique: only 4 descent stages are timed (technical singletrack), while all climbs are untimed transport stages. You can climb at social pace, chat, stop for photos—then pin it on the timed descents if you want. Most riders are here for the festival: live music, beer garden, camping, expo. The racing is secondary. The Eifel region is stunning—volcanic landscape, German forest roads, near the Belgian border. If you want a chill weekend with friends, amazing scenery, and some optional racing—Grinduro delivers. If you want a serious gravel race, look elsewhere. If you can handle technical singletrack descents and care more about German beer than race times, this is perfect. The untimed climbs mean fitness matters less than bike handling—bring 42mm tires, a dropper post, and zero ego. Skip it if you want pure gravel racing or hate crowds partying while you're trying to suffer.

### Mammoth Tuff
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 89 mi | 7,500 ft | Mammoth Lakes, California | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/mammoth-tuff/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/mammoth-tuff.md

Altitude meets volcanic attitude in California's most honest sufferfest. 89 miles of High Sierra alpine gravel (TUFFEST course). 7,500 ft elevation, 7,880-8,000 ft altitude. 63% gravel, 37% paved. Smooth fast roads. Technical rating: 2/5. Altitude is the defining challenge. Signature challenge: Altitude at 8,000 ft. Smooth roads mean high speeds burn energy faster. Sea-level riders suffer. Mammoth Tuff is a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier at 8,000 feet. 89 miles (the TUFFEST course) of smooth High Sierra gravel. Altitude is the challenge—7,880-8,000 ft throughout means 30% less oxygen. If you're sea-level, arrive 3-5 days early or suffer. Course isn't technical (2/5), it's fast and smooth. Mammoth Lakes is expensive resort town. The Red Rock Canyon climb (roughly mile 44-60, narrowest around mile 52-54) is the defining test. UCI status brings competitive field (Keegan Swenson, Lauren De Crescenzo). If you want High Sierra scenery with altitude suffering, this is it. Show up fit or the 8,000-foot starting elevation will expose every training shortcut you took. The 7,500 feet of climbing over 89 miles isn't negotiable, and volcanic gravel punishes both your legs and your equipment. This isn't a scenic tour—it's a legitimate training ground that's produced Unbound winners for a reason.

### Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 350 mi | 30,000 ft | Central Oregon (multiple towns) | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/oregon-trail-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/oregon-trail-gravel.md

The Grand Tour of American gravel—five days of Oregon's best, compressed into one transformative experience. Five distinct stages showcasing Oregon's diversity—high desert, forests, mountains, and everything between. Signature challenge: The cumulative nature. Any single stage is manageable. Five consecutive days of 60-80+ miles with major climbing is a different animal. Oregon Trail is for those who find single-day races limiting. The stage format creates different demands—recovery, consistency, pacing across days. It's closer to bikepacking than racing, with timing chips. Yes if you're ready for multi-day racing and want to experience gravel at its deepest. Not if you can't commit the time or prefer the intensity of one-day events.

### Rule of Three
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 115 mi | — | Bentonville, Arkansas | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rule-of-three/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rule-of-three.md

A technically serious three-surface race hiding inside Bentonville's friendliest strange bike party. A long, irregular sequence of tarmac, gravel, technical B-roads, and climby singletrack. Speed on one surface creates fatigue and handling consequences on the next. The 2027 route is not yet published. Signature challenge: Choosing one setup—and preserving enough concentration—to be fast on pavement, durable on sharp gravel, and capable on steep singletrack. Rule of Three is a Bentonville mixed-surface event. Its identity is the equipment and pacing compromise created by pavement, sharp gravel, and meaningful singletrack in the same day. The organizer changes the route annually, keeps the community deliberately playful, and still gives the flagship field a technically serious problem. Yes if mixed-surface handling, equipment compromise, and a community-first event appeal to you. The date and stable 115/60/35-mile format are confirmed; treat the annual route, climbing, sector order, aid, cutoff, and start schedule as pending until the 2027 rider bible lands.

### The Accursed Race (TAR)
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 994 mi | 121,391 ft | Albania/Montenegro/Bosnia and Herzegovina/Kosovo | May | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-accursed-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-accursed-race.md

Epic inaugural bikepacking odyssey through Balkan wilds by Lost Dot.

### Whiskey Off-Road
Tier 2 | Score: 76/100 | 50 mi | 6,523 ft | Prescott, Arizona | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/whiskey-off-road/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/whiskey-off-road.md

The Southwest's 20-year MTB institution where Skull Valley tests your suffering and Whiskey Row rewards your survival. A greatest-hits tour of Prescott National Forest combining technical singletrack, flowing trails, exposed fire road grinding, and tactical racing. You start on historic Whiskey Row, climb through granite formations, suffer through Skull Valley, flow through Spence Basin, and navigate technical descents when your legs are cooked. Every type of MTB terrain represented. Signature challenge: Skull Valley—a 12-mile exposed fire road climb at the halfway mark. 2,500-2,700ft of gain when you're already depleted. Documented 102F readings in hot years. Where cramping becomes universal and mental fortitude separates finishers from DNFs. The Whiskey Off-Road is the Southwest's premier mountain bike festival—a 20-year institution that combines genuine physical challenge with exceptional event production. Skull Valley will humble you. The technical sections demand MTB skills. But the weekend package—historic Whiskey Row, live music, expo, community—elevates it beyond just a race. It's what happens when an event organizer spends two decades perfecting their craft. Yes if you want a top-tier MTB festival experience with genuine physical challenge. Yes if you appreciate 20 years of event refinement. No if you're a gravel purist uncomfortable on technical terrain. No if you need budget-friendly entry.

### GFNY NYC
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 100 mi | 8,500 ft | New York City, New York, USA | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gfny-nyc/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gfny-nyc.md

GFNY NYC delivers epic bridge start and global vibes on a climber's 100-miler.

### Gravel Burn
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 466 mi | 27,887 ft | Great Karoo, Eastern Cape, South Africa | October | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-burn/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-burn.md

A stage race trying to be Unbound with safari views, but the Karoo heat and seven-day commitment separate the curious from the committed. Seven timed mass-start stages totaling about 750km and 8,500m of climbing on predominantly smooth, fast gravel. The difficulty comes from repeated long days, exposed weather, pack dynamics, and recovery rather than constant technical riding. Signature challenge: Seven days of fast Karoo gravel where the hardest opponent is the fatigue you carried out of yesterday. Nedbank Gravel Burn is a seven-day, 750km full-service gravel stage race through South Africa's Great Karoo. The roads are usually faster and less technical than a mountain-bike stage race, but 8,500m of climbing, remote camps, wind, heat, cold nights, and cumulative fatigue make the week the challenge. The 2027 race is confirmed for October 24-30; its exact stage route is still pending. If you've never done a multi-day gravel event, this isn't where you start—the Karoo semi-desert doesn't forgive poor pacing or inadequate hydration systems. You need solid base fitness for 100km+ daily efforts and the mental fortitude for a week of accumulating fatigue. The full-service camps cushion the suffering, but those long drags to places like Conical Peak will expose fitness gaps quickly.

### Gunni Grinder
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 120.5 mi | 9,785 ft | Gunnison, Colorado | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gunni-grinder/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gunni-grinder.md

High-altitude gravel that separates your actual fitness from your sea-level delusions. The organizer-linked 120.5-mile loop gains 9,785 feet, starts near 7,694 feet, averages about 8,754 feet, and reaches about 10,511 feet. Approximately 83% is unpaved, including remote gravel and dirt roads that receive little to no maintenance. Signature challenge: A 120.5-mile loop with 9,785 feet of gain and an average elevation near 8,754 feet. Gunni Grinder is high-altitude mountain gravel done right. This isn't a flat power race—it's a climbing test at thin oxygen. You start at 7,700 ft (already higher than most people live) and max out near 10,000 ft. If you're from low elevation, your FTP will drop 10-15%. Your breathing will be labored. Your bonk will come faster. The Cochetopa Pass Road climb (miles 30-45) is a 15-mile grind that just keeps going—not steep, but relentless at altitude. The high alpine sections (miles 50-70) are exposed, windy, and stunning—above treeline with panoramic Rocky Mountain views. The Razor Creek descent is technical and loose—confidence-testing. Gunnison is a hidden gem: small town, big mountains, zero crowds. The post-race BBQ in the park is low-key awesome—burgers, local beer, live bluegrass. It's not a corporate expo. It's a community celebration. If you can sustain power above 8,000 feet and have low gears for Cochetopa Pass, this is honest mountain suffering without the Leadville circus. Sea-level riders thinking they'll adapt on race day will discover what oxygen debt feels like around mile 40. The terrain isn't technical, but the altitude will expose every fitness gap you've been hiding behind at home.

### La Vaujany Cyclosportive
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 106 mi | 13,000 ft | Vaujany, Isère, France | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/la-vaujany/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/la-vaujany.md

Alpine road suffering at its finest: Alpe d'Huez glory awaits the paced climber. Brutal Alpine road sportive featuring iconic paved cols with relentless switchbacks, deep valleys, and high-altitude finishes in the French Oisans massif. Signature challenge: The Alpe d'Huez ascent followed by the Vaujany wall, testing pacing and recovery on Tour de France-proven roads.

### Lauf True Grit Gravel Epic
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 84 mi | 9,000 ft | Santa Clara, Utah | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/lauf-true-grit/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/lauf-true-grit.md

Utah's technical playground where your handling skills matter more than your FTP and the Rollers of Doom separate pretenders from the genuinely prepared. True Grit drops you into the geological chaos where three deserts collide—Mojave, Great Basin, and Colorado Plateau. Eighty percent off-road through sandstone mazes, volcanic remnants, and sandy washes that chew up bikes and spit out undertrained riders. This isn't gravel racing, it's technical mountain biking disguised as a gravel event. Signature challenge: Lines through the rocks that riders practice a dozen times pre-race and still freeze up on race day. The technical sections aren't just difficult—they're bike-destroying, confidence-crushing puzzles that punish hesitation and reward local knowledge you don't have. Show up if you're comfortable dismounting on steep rock faces and practicing technical lines a dozen times before race day. The 9,000 feet of climbing rides like a century because of the constant technical demands—your bike handling needs to be sharp when you're deep into hour six. Skip this if you prefer smooth gravel roads or think a dropper post is overkill for gravel racing.

### Le Grand du Nord
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 110 mi | 6,000 ft | Grand Marais, Minnesota | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/le-grand-du-nord/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/le-grand-du-nord.md

The most civilized way to suffer through 110 miles of Minnesota Northwoods while pretending Lake Superior views make your legs hurt less. Rolling terrain through Minnesota Northwoods. 6,000 ft over 110 miles = constant ups and downs, no sustained climbs. Mix of smooth gravel forest roads (70%), paved sections (20%), and technical doubletrack (10%), including a ~5-mile especially rough, rocky two-track section with a likely stream crossing (organizer course notes). Smoother than mountain gravel but never flat. Signature challenge: Steep, scenic climb with Lake Superior views. Pack may still be together here—surges happen. Le Grand du Nord is Minnesota's big North Shore gravel event—2,000+ riders racing through the stunning North Shore of Lake Superior at peak spring green. The course rolls through dense Northwoods, climbs for Lake Superior overlooks, and finishes in the tourist town of Grand Marais. It's not the hardest course (6,000 ft over 110 miles = rolling, not mountainous). The scenery is top-tier: dense Minnesota woods, Lake Superior vistas, and the iconic Gunflint Trail. Grand Marais is the perfect race town—hotels, restaurants, breweries, and post-race tourism. The large field means pack racing early and potential bottlenecks, but it thins out. This is a big-event, well-organized race with all the amenities (not a UCI Gravel World Series event — organizer's own event page makes no such claim, and it does not appear on the current UCI Gravel World Series calendar). You need the fitness for 110 miles and 6,000 feet—that's six hours minimum of rolling punishment through forest roads. The course isn't technically brutal, but it's relentlessly rolling, and those doubletrack sections at mile 80 will test your focus when you're cooked. If you can't handle pack racing with 2,000 riders or the possibility of 45-degree rain, stay home.

### London Edinburgh London
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 950 mi | 36,000 ft | Chelmsford, Essex, UK | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/london-edinburgh-london/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/london-edinburgh-london.md

Ultimate UK ultra-randonnée: 950 miles self-supported to Edinburgh and back.

### Monaco Gravel Race
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 72 mi | 8,202 ft | Peille, France (near Monaco) | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/monaco-gravel-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/monaco-gravel-race.md

A UCI qualifier that trades the usual gravel brutality for Alpine scenery and climbing legs that'll make you question your gear choices. The completed 2026 elite course was 116 km with ~2,500 m of gain; organizer pre-race figures cited 120 km/2,400 m, so gain varies by source. The route used rocky mountain tracks and secondary roads around Peille, Col de Braus, Col du Castillon, and Col des Banquettes. Signature challenge: The completed 116 km elite route gained approximately 2,500 m on mountain tracks and secondary roads above Monaco. Monaco Gravel Race is a UCI Gravel World Series qualifier starting and finishing in Peille, high above Monaco—116 km, ~2,500 m elevation (organizer pre-race figures cite 120 km/2,400 m; treat gain as Varies). First run in 2025. 70% gravel, 30% paved. Steep climbs, technical. 300-500 riders. Peille start/finish, Mercantour National Park (iconic location). Mid-April spring conditions. Expensive entry (€150-€200 / $165-$220). If you want the Monaco-area iconic location with brutal steep climbs, this is it. If you need manageable elevation or a budget race, skip it. If you can handle roughly 115 feet of climbing per mile on short, punchy ascents, this is your European gravel vacation with World Championship qualification upside. The Mercantour park setting means you're climbing through postcard scenery instead of Kansas cornfields. Skip it if you prefer sustained efforts over constant gear changes, or if you think 72 miles sounds easy because the math doesn't lie on those repeated kicks.

### Nova Eroica
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 81 mi | 6,529 ft | Buonconvento, Tuscany, Italy | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nova-eroica/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nova-eroica.md

Tuscany's gravel answer to L'Eroica that trades vintage wool for modern suffering on the same unforgiving strade bianche. The 131.1 km Terre di Siena route gains 1,990 m on Tuscan strade bianche and road transfers, with five timed sections. It starts and finishes in Buonconvento. Signature challenge: A 131.1 km strade bianche route with 1,990 m of gain and five timed sections. Nova Eroica is Tuscan strade bianche—131 km, 1,990 m elevation (Terre di Siena, the flagship competitive route). Founded ~2015. 70% gravel (strade bianche), 30% paved. Rolling Tuscan hills, iconic white roads. 1,000-1,500 riders. Buonconvento medieval town. Held in spring, though the calendar date has moved year to year. Affordable entry (€80-€120 / $85-$130). If you want Italian gravel with Tuscan scenery and strade bianche, this is it. If you want local/domestic race, skip it. International destination race. You need legitimate climbing legs for 1,990 meters (6,529 feet) of Tuscan punishment and the bike handling skills to descend white gravel roads that turn sketchy fast. This isn't a beginner's intro to European gravel—it's proper suffering in postcard scenery. Show up undertrained and those rolling hills will expose every fitness gap you've been ignoring.

### Ouray Gravel Grinder
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 80 mi | 7,800 ft | Ouray, Colorado | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ouray-gravel-grinder/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ouray-gravel-grinder.md

The Ouray Gravel Grinder doesn't exist as an organized race, but the San Juan Mountains will humble your FTP and test your ability to push a bike up 13,000-foot passes. Ouray serves up 80 miles of high-altitude punishment across mining roads that were never meant for bicycles. You'll grind through San Juan valleys on County Road 23 before the real show begins—12,000-foot alpine passes where your 34x42 becomes a prayer. This isn't gravel racing, it's controlled mountaineering on two wheels. Signature challenge: Engineer and Cinnamon passes back-to-back above 12,000 feet, where even Tour de France climbers end up walking sections. The altitude turns your FTP into a cruel joke, and the loose rock surfaces make every pedal stroke a negotiation with gravity. You can't race what isn't there, but if you're drawn to self-supported suffering in Colorado's most brutal terrain, bring a mountain bike and your hiking legs. The Alpine Loop and Imogene Pass will have you walking more than riding above 12,000 feet, and afternoon thunderstorms don't negotiate with your Strava segment dreams. This is bikepacking country masquerading as a gravel destination.

### Pirinexus 360
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 211 mi | 11,150 ft | Girona, Catalonia, Spain | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pirinexus-360/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pirinexus-360.md

The thinking rider's 340k—half the distance of the big ultras but twice as beautiful, with a border-crossing climb that sends half the field home early. The Pirinexus is half smooth greenway cruise, half bike-destroying nightmare. You'll roll 55 kilometers on the silky Via Verde del Carrilet thinking this is easy, then spend the next 70 kilometers climbing volcanic hills and technical gravel that'll have you questioning your tire choice. The route crosses into France where the road literally disappears into rocky descents that punish anything under 40mm tires. Signature challenge: Col d'Ares is the course executioner—a 17.9-kilometer climb to the French border that peaks at 1,513 meters. It's not just the elevation; it's arriving there after 80 miles of volcanic punishment, knowing that technical descents await on the other side. Most riders call it quits here, and the ones who don't spend the descent walking their bikes down rocky trails that shouldn't exist on a cycling route. You need 200+ mile legs and 40mm+ tires minimum—the technical border descent after Col d'Ares will put narrower rubber on foot. This isn't a watts contest; it's navigation, bike handling, and knowing when to push through the Pyrenean climbs versus when to survive them. Show up undertrained and that 18-hour cutoff becomes very real very fast.

### Race Across Germany North–South
Tier 2 | Score: 74/100 | 683 mi | 24,606 ft | Flensburg to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-across-germany/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-across-germany.md

Germany's ultimate ultracycling test: 1,100 km of non-stop riding from Baltic coast to Alpine peaks, combining geographic diversity, championship-level competition, and transformative endurance challenge. An epic north-south traverse of Germany's complete geographic and cultural diversity, beginning at the Baltic harbor in Flensburg and concluding beneath the Zugspitze in the Bavarian Alps. The route progresses through distinct regional zones: coastal plains, low mountain ranges (Harz, Hessian uplands, Rhön, Franconia), and Alpine foothills, with each section presenting unique environmental and physical challenges.[1] Signature challenge: Maintaining pace and mental focus across 1,100 km of non-stop riding through Germany's complete geographic spectrum—from coastal exposure to Alpine altitude—while meeting strict time cutoffs (final finish by July 5, 23:20 UTC).[1]

### Birkebeinerrittet Sykkel
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 52.2 mi | 3,986 ft | Rena to Lillehammer, Norway | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/birkebeinerrittet-road/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/birkebeinerrittet-road.md

Norway's backpacked MTB legend: history, mountains, and massive community. A historic point-to-point journey through forests, mountains, and valleys, blending fire roads, gravel, and paved sections while carrying a mandatory safety backpack. Signature challenge: A mandatory backpack weighing at least 2 kg throughout the race, symbolizing infant heir Håkon Håkonsson, who was carried to safety in 1206.

### Grand Tour 3 Cime Lavaredo
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 82.6 mi | 10,400 ft | Auronzo di Cadore, Veneto, Italy | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grand-tour-3-cime-lavaredo/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grand-tour-3-cime-lavaredo.md

A 10,400-foot Dolomites gravel race where the last named climb crests after kilometre 100. Five categorized Dolomites climbs in 133 km: Danta di Cadore, Klammbach, Haunold, Cimabanche, and Passo Tre Croci, followed by a descending finish to Auronzo. Signature challenge: Reaching Passo Tre Croci after kilometre 100 with enough torque and concentration to finish the final descent safely. Five categorized Dolomites climbs in 133 km: Danta di Cadore, Klammbach, Haunold, Cimabanche, and Passo Tre Croci, followed by a descending finish to Auronzo. Reaching Passo Tre Croci after kilometre 100 with enough torque and concentration to finish the final descent safely. Race Grand Tour 3 Cime Lavaredo if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: 3,170 m of climbing; Klammbach high point at 1,929 m; Five categorized climbs

### Grasshopper Adventure Series
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 70 mi | — | Northern California | January | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grasshopper-series/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grasshopper-series.md

The granddaddy of gravel serves up 70 miles of Northern California's hidden roads with enough climbing to remind you why it started this whole movement. The Grasshopper Adventure Series throws 70 miles of Northern California's most eclectic terrain at you—think wine country roads that suddenly dump you onto logging roads, then back to pavement without warning. This isn't just gravel grinding or road racing; it's bike handling boot camp where your line choice and gear selection get tested every few miles. The elevation gain sits somewhere between 4,500-9,116 feet depending on which Hopper you're riding, but the real challenge is the constant terrain switching that turns your legs into confused mush. Signature challenge: The Grasshopper doesn't just test your fitness—it tests your equipment choices and bike handling across terrain that changes every few miles. You'll climb 4,500+ feet while switching between pavement, packed gravel, loose dirt, and sometimes singletrack, making this less of a race and more of a northern California terrain survival course. Show up on the wrong bike or without solid handling skills, and you'll spend 70 miles getting schooled. If you can handle 4,500-9,116 feet of elevation on mixed terrain and navigate without hand-holding, this is your history lesson in what gravel racing actually is. Bring a gravel bike with 38-42c tires and the fitness for sustained climbing — the self-sufficiency requirement isn't posturing. Skip it if you need constant aid stations or can't fix a flat solo.

### Pisgah Monster Cross
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 69.2 mi | 8,777 ft | Pisgah Forest, North Carolina (near Brevard; Pisgah National Forest) | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pisgah-monster-cross/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pisgah-monster-cross.md

Pisgah's gravel roads will remind you that 8,777 feet of climbing doesn't negotiate, even when wrapped in Appalachian eye candy. 69.2 miles and 8,777 feet of climbing on gravel and paved roads through Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Signature challenge: 8,777 feet of climbing across 69.2 miles of gravel and paved forest roads. Pisgah Monster Cross is a Southeast gravel classic—69 miles, 8,777 ft of technical Appalachian terrain (organizer figures; gain has varied by year/route direction in past editions). Founded ~2012, hosted by Pisgah Productions. Gravel and paved forest roads through Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, with brief technical singletrack sections riders compare to mountain biking. Technical rating: 5/5—rocks, roots, steep descents. 300-400 riders. Start/finish near Pisgah Forest/Brevard, a small mountain-town base. Mid-September conditions (highs upper-70s°F, lows upper-50s°F, with real tropical-storm risk in that window). If you want technical Appalachian gravel, this is it. If you want smooth roads or beginner-friendly, skip it. Organizer calls for a gravel bike or monster-cross bike, not a dedicated MTB. You need legitimate climbing legs and comfort grinding for 14 hours through National Forest terrain that rewards bike handling over pure watts. The three aid stations mean you're mostly self-sufficient between long stretches of Pisgah's relentless rollers. Show up undertrained to this one and you'll discover new definitions of suffering before that 10PM cutoff.

### Race Across Spain
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 621 mi | 35,000 ft | Santander to Valencia, Spain | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-across-spain/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-across-spain.md

Spain's ultimate road ultra odyssey: 621 miles of mountains, culture, and unbreakable spirit. A grand traverse of Spain from the wild Cantabrian north to Valencia's Mediterranean warmth, blending relentless climbs, picturesque villages, and diverse terrains through mountains, plateaus, and coasts. Signature challenge: Overcoming the cumulative 35,000ft elevation across 621 miles, punctuated by Spain's most scenic passes and cultural gems.

### Rasputitsa
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 53 mi | 5,300 ft | Jay, Vermont | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rasputitsa/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rasputitsa.md

Vermont's 10-year-old mud lottery where 5,000 feet of climbing meets April's bipolar weather and your cross training actually matters. 46 miles of Vermont Class 4 roads (unmaintained dirt). 5,000 ft elevation. Self-supported (NO aid). Mud guaranteed (April). Technical rating: 4/5. Signature challenge: April mud + self-supported + Class 4 technical roads. Mud is guaranteed, aid is not. Rasputitsa is Vermont's early season mud fest—46 miles of Class 4 roads (unmaintained dirt), 5,000 ft elevation, self-supported (NO aid stations), and guaranteed mud. Founded 2016, 10th anniversary 2026. 'Rasputitsa' is Russian for 'mud season'. April in Vermont = mud. Class 4 roads = technical. Self-supported = hardcore. 600+ riders. Burke Northeast Kingdom. If you want Vermont hardcore suffering, this is it. If you want smooth gravel and aid stations, run away. If you can handle 46 miles of sustained climbing in conditions that range from perfect to apocalyptic, Rasputitsa delivers authentic Northeast Kingdom suffering without the ego. The 5,000 feet of elevation isn't negotiable, and April weather means you might get snow, mud, or sunshine—sometimes all three. Skip this if you need predictable conditions or hate climbing.

### Škoda Ring of Clare Sportive
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 100 mi | 5,000 ft | Ennis, County Clare, Ireland | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ring-of-clare/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ring-of-clare.md

Ireland's most scenic and festive road sportive: cliffs, cakes, and community magic. A scenic loop showcasing County Clare's rugged cliffs, rolling hills, quiet country lanes, and Shannon Estuary views; festive atmosphere with challenging yet rewarding climbs. Signature challenge: The Hand climb combined with coastal winds and estuary rollers, blending steep efforts with endurance-testing scenery.

### Seorak GranFondo
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 129 mi | 11,500 ft | Gangwon-do, South Korea | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/seorak-granfondo/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/seorak-granfondo.md

Brutal 11,500ft paved beast through Seoraksan—Korea’s climb fest for the masochistic.

### Tour de Romandie Cyclosportive
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 100 mi | 8,500 ft | Lausanne, Switzerland | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-de-romandie-cyclosportive/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-de-romandie-cyclosportive.md

Pro-caliber road suffering in postcard Switzerland—pure gran fondo gold. Hilly road sportive emulating the Tour de Romandie's punchy Jura and Alpine foothills, featuring rolling terrain, steep kicks, and lake views culminating near Lausanne. Signature challenge: The 'Romandie Rollercoaster': 8500ft over 100 miles of Swiss climbs, blending endurance with explosive efforts akin to pro Queen stages.

### Tour of Thekkady — Kerala Gran Fondo
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 90 mi | 9,800 ft | Kottayam to Thekkady, Kerala, India | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-of-thekkady/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-of-thekkady.md

India's must-do Gran Fondo: TdF climbs meet Kerala paradise. A scenic rollercoaster of relentless climbs through Kerala's lush plantations, serene lakes, iconic dams, and wildlife-rich forests, blending Tour de France-style elevation with tropical tranquility on smooth, low-traffic roads. Signature challenge: The 3000m+ elevation gain over 145km, replicating TdF stage difficulty amid Kerala's ever-changing landscapes from backwaters to highland forests.

### Trans Balkan Race
Tier 2 | Score: 73/100 | 870 mi | 98,425 ft | Dinaric Alps, Slovenia to Montenegro | May | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/trans-balkan-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/trans-balkan-race.md

Brutal self-supported bikepacking epic carving the Dinaric Alps' wild heart. A 1400 km self-supported line through the Dinaric Alps with 30,000 meters of ascent and 82 percent off-road riding. The organizer describes remote mountain regions, karst plateaus, forests, mud, scarce water, and long gaps between resupply; scale and self-management matter more than technical tricks. Signature challenge: Ten days to absorb 30,000 meters of ascent while solving food, water, sleep, navigation, weather, and mechanical problems without third-party support.

### The Bootlegger
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 85 mi | 7,250 ft | Lenoir, North Carolina | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bootlegger-100/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bootlegger-100.md

Wilson Creek Gorge will eat your lunch and serve it back with a side of North Carolina suffering. The official 85-mile route combines approximately 7,250 feet of climbing with country roads, Wilson Creek Gorge, Grandfather Ranger District gravel, Maple Sally Road, and long mountain descents. Signature challenge: Approximately 7,250 feet of climbing across 85 miles, with Maple Sally Road and technical descents late enough to punish poor pacing. The Bootlegger is a timed, open-road gravel race from downtown Lenoir into Wilson Creek Gorge and the Grandfather Ranger District. The official 2027 long course is 85 miles with approximately 7,250 feet of climbing; the 58-mile course still carries about 4,500 feet. Maple Sally Road, long descents, self-supported race rules, and a 13-hour finish window make this a serious mountain day without pretending the retired 100-mile alignment is still current. Bring climbing durability, disciplined fueling, dependable brakes, and real gravel-descending confidence. The official long course is now 85 miles rather than 100-plus, but 7,250 feet and Maple Sally Road still expose anyone who treats the first half like a short race.

### Belgian Waffle Ride North Carolina
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 100 mi | 8,000 ft | Hendersonville, North Carolina | — | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-north-carolina/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-north-carolina.md

The Appalachian meat grinder that puts 29% fire roads and hike-a-bike sections in your face whether you're ready or not. The completed 2025 Waffle near Asheville was approximately 100 miles with 8,000 feet of climbing. The organizer has not published a 2026 or 2027 North Carolina edition or current course. Signature challenge: No current course is published; the last completed Waffle was approximately 100 miles with 8,000 feet of climbing. Show up if you've got a 30-tooth chainring, legitimate mountain bike handling skills, and the ego to walk your bike in front of strangers. The 8,000+ feet of climbing through Carolina mountains will expose fitness gaps fast, and those singletrack bottlenecks mean pack position matters more than watts. Skip this if you think gravel racing should be mostly rideable.

### Epic Gran Canaria
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 100 mi | 7,500 ft | Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain | February | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/epic-gran-canaria/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/epic-gran-canaria.md

Pre-season volcanic punchbowl opener that kicks off GFWT with island flair.

### Falling Leaves Lahti
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 108.7 mi | 5,203 ft | Lahti, Finland | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/falling-leaves-lahti/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/falling-leaves-lahti.md

One hundred nine miles of Finnish hardpack rollers with almost nowhere to hide. The first 50 km roll south on wider roads, the next 70 km become a nearly continuous hardpack rollercoaster, a 35 km northern forest loop adds dual track, and the final 45 km return via Vuolenkoski. Signature challenge: Maintaining pressure through seventy kilometres with almost no flat road, then still having a group and clean line choice for the northern forest loop. The first 50 km roll south on wider roads, the next 70 km become a nearly continuous hardpack rollercoaster, a 35 km northern forest loop adds dual track, and the final 45 km return via Vuolenkoski. Maintaining pressure through seventy kilometres with almost no flat road, then still having a group and clean line choice for the northern forest loop. Race Falling Leaves Lahti if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: 175 km long course; 1,586 m climbing; Seventy kilometres of near-continuous rollers

### Giro Sardegna Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 66.5 mi | 4,100 ft | Muravera-Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/giro-sardegna-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/giro-sardegna-gravel.md

Mediterranean gravel with UCI points on a fast, non-technical southeast Sardinia course. 107 km. ~1,220-1,291 m elevation (Varies, sources conflict). Fast, non-technical coastal gravel between Muravera and Villasimius, southeast Sardinia. Signature challenge: 107 km of fast, non-technical coastal gravel + May warmth. Mediterranean views between Muravera and Villasimius. Giro Sardegna Gravel's current UCI World Series edition runs from Muravera-Villasimius in southeast Sardinia—107 km, fast and non-technical, gain conflicting across sources (~1,220-1,291 m). The event originally launched ~2020 based in Siniscola (NE Sardinia) with a more mountainous, technical profile; it has since relocated. 500-700 riders. May spring conditions (18-28°C). Affordable entry (€90-€130 / $100-$145). If you want Sardinian island gravel with Mediterranean views and affordable entry, this is it. If you need local/domestic, skip it. International destination race. If you want UCI World Series points on a fast, non-technical coastal course with a Mediterranean island backdrop, this delivers. The event relocated from its original Siniscola base to Muravera-Villasimius, so course-specific pacing intel (circuit format, feed zones) is still settling for the new venue. Solid choice if you want UCI World Series points without a technical sufferfest.

### Granfondo do Porto
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 81 mi | 5,200 ft | Porto, Portugal | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-gf-do-porto/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-gf-do-porto.md

Scenic Douro masterpiece blending savage climbs with wine country bliss. Hilly road loop through Douro Valley's terraced vineyards, blending relentless climbs with sweeping descents and river views. Signature challenge: The return via Muro do Cadão, a 3.1km beast at 10.2% that breaks the field in spectacular wine country.

### Gravel Brazil
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 70 mi | 5,833 ft | Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-brazil/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-brazil.md

Brazil's first UCI gravel race arrives with World Championship stakes and zero track record—you're betting on potential over proof. 113 km, 1,778 m. 90% gravel, small paved mid-section. Brazilian coastal mountains. Steep climbs, technical descents. Technical rating: 4/5. Signature challenge: Steep Brazilian coastal mountains (1,778 m / 113 km) + technical descents + heat/humidity. Gravel Brazil is Brazilian coastal mountains--113 km, 1,778 m elevation. Founded ~2019. 90% gravel, small paved mid-section. Steep climbs, technical descents (loose gravel). 800-1,000 riders. Balneário Camboriú beach town. March late-summer conditions (18-30°C). Affordable entry (R$400-R$600 / $80-$120). If you want Brazilian gravel adventure with beach town vibes, this is it. If you want local/domestic race, skip it. International destination race. If you need UCI points or want to say you raced Brazil's UCI Gravel World Series stop, this makes sense. The 5,833 feet of climbing over 70 miles suggests sustained suffering, not punchy attacks. Show up ready for humidity, unknown surfaces, and the chaos that comes with established World Series events where nothing goes according to plan.

### Heck of the North
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 100 mi | 3,400 ft | Two Harbors, Minnesota | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/heck-of-the-north/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/heck-of-the-north.md

Minnesota's sneakiest technical test disguised as a scenic fall colors ride. Retooled route (per current organizer course notes): mostly well-maintained gravel road (~80% unpaved) punctuated by four named technical two-track sectors and a short snowmobile-trail segment near the finish. 3,400 ft over 100 miles = short, punchy climbs rather than sustained grades. Less relentlessly technical than earlier editions' snowmobile-trail-heavy course, but the sectors still demand real bike-handling. Signature challenge: The Briton Pit and Bear Pit two-track sectors (miles 13-30ish) set the tone early — loose rock, roots, and line-choice decisions that reward MTB skills over raw power. Heck of the North routes a gravel race through Minnesota's North Shore at peak fall foliage, mixing mostly well-maintained gravel road (~80% unpaved) with four named technical two-track sectors (Briton Pit, Bear Pit, King Lake) and a short snowmobile-trail segment near the finish. The current course is less snowmobile-trail-heavy than earlier editions, but the two-track sectors still reward MTB skills and line choice, not just power. The fall foliage is stunning—peak color in late September means riding through tunnels of gold, orange, and red along Lake Superior's North Shore. The post-race vibe is classic small-town Minnesota: hot soup, sandwiches, and volunteers who genuinely care. If you've got mountain bike skills and don't mind wrestling roots and rocks for 100 miles, this is your jam. The snowmobile trails demand 40mm+ tires and actual bike handling—your road racing background won't save you here. Skip it if you're looking for fast gravel or hate technical terrain that slows you to 8 mph.

### Khomas100
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 88.9 mi | 7,546 ft | Windhoek to Gross Barmen, Namibia | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/khomas100/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/khomas100.md

A fast-looking course whose remoteness, climbing, and Namibian exposure make it anything but easy. A point-to-point route that leaves Windhoek on pavement before committing to long, exposed stretches of mostly unsurfaced road toward Gross Barmen. Signature challenge: Carry speed across exposed Namibian gravel without losing hydration, navigation, or pacing control before the Gross Barmen finish.

### Low Gap Grasshopper
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 59 mi | 6,585 ft | Ukiah, California | January | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/low-gap-grasshopper/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/low-gap-grasshopper.md

A short-on-paper, hard-in-practice private-road opener with enough climbing and winter uncertainty to expose lazy preparation. A climbing-dense, 95-percent dirt long course using roads that are normally closed to public riding. Signature challenge: The opening Masonite Road climb gains about 1,950 feet in 13 miles before the race turns into a sequence of fast private-road descents and return climbs.

### Nordsjørittet
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 96 mi | 4,900 ft | Egersund to Sandnes, Norway | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nordsjorittet/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nordsjorittet.md

Norway's ultimate coastal crusher: massive, scenic, and welcoming for every pedal-pusher. A scenic coastal journey blending paved roads, gravel paths, forests, mountains, and North Sea beaches, emphasizing adventure and accessibility over pure speed. Signature challenge: The relentless North Sea wind combined with 4900 ft of elevation on exposed coastal roads, rewarding resilient riders with unparalleled fjord-edge views.

### Race Around Rwanda
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 621 mi | 62,335 ft | Kigali, Rwanda | February | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-around-rwanda/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-around-rwanda.md

An epic self-supported bikepacking circumnavigation through Rwanda's dramatic terrain that demands serious fitness, self-reliance, and adventure spirit.

### Southern Cross Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 50 mi | 5,500 ft | Dahlonega, Georgia | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/southern-cross-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/southern-cross-gravel.md

North Georgia's wine country serves up proper climbing with a civilized finish—Winding Stair Gap separates the tourists from the locals. The approximately 50-mile flagship gains about 5,500 feet on mostly gravel roads with some pavement and pasture or trail sections. It has two major sustained climbs and two long descents, with grass in the final half mile to Montaluce Winery. Signature challenge: One aid station, visited twice: 50mi riders must clear Winding Stair Gap (mile 12) by 12:30 PM or get redirected onto the 30mi course back to Montaluce Winery. Southern Cross is what happens when you build a gravel race for climbers, descenders, and wine drinkers. This is NOT Kansas. It's the North Georgia Appalachians—steep, punchy, unrelenting. The Montaluce Winery start/finish is chef's kiss: you suffer for 5-7 hours on red clay climbs, then roll into a vineyard where volunteers hand you wine, BBQ, and a chair with a mountain view. It's the only gravel race where you might actually want to stay at the finish line longer than it took to ride the race. The course is honest suffering—no gimmicks, just real North Georgia topography. If you're a diesel engine who thrives on sustained power, this will hurt. If you're a punchy climber who can recover on descents, you'll love it. If you can handle 6,200 feet of punchy Georgia climbs over 50 miles and aren't fazed by potential mud lottery conditions, this delivers solid suffering with the best post-race scene in the Southeast. Skip it if you need extensive aid station coddling or panic at the thought of 35-degree starts. Compact gearing and 40mm+ tires aren't suggestions—they're survival equipment.

### The Gralloch
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 69 mi | 5,778 ft | Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-gralloch/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-gralloch.md

Sixty-nine miles sounds manageable until Galloway adds 5,778 feet, rough forest gravel, and a race-day cutoff. The official 111-kilometer race starts and finishes in Garries Park, climbs 1,761 meters, and spends more than 80 percent of the day on gravel through Galloway Forest Park. Repeated rises, rougher open tracks, and fast forest descents make line choice and fatigue-resistant handling part of the result. Signature challenge: Carrying competitive climbing power into the late rough descents on a course that is short enough to race hard but long enough to expose poor fueling. The Gralloch is not a 200-kilometer Highlands ultra. The 2027 race is a 111-kilometer, 1,761-meter, mass-start gravel qualifier in Gatehouse of Fleet. More than 80 percent gravel and a sequence of forest climbs and descents make the course harder than its distance suggests. Race it if you want a serious British qualifier where climbing, surface management, and positioning all matter. Train for a fast 111-kilometer race, not the separate 323-kilometer Ultra.

### Tour Aotearoa
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 1864 mi | — | Cape Reinga to Bluff, New Zealand | February | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-aotearoa/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-aotearoa.md

An iconic, self-supported bikepacking odyssey across New Zealand's entire length that demands complete autonomy, endurance, and adventure spirit.

### Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 76 mi | 8,420 ft | Ukiah, California | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ukiah-mendo-gravel-epic/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ukiah-mendo-gravel-epic.md

A genuine series finale: long enough to matter, steep enough to expose you, and tactical after the gravel appears to be over. A 68-percent dirt course that opens with a long climb, crosses private timber land, uses a tactical paved middle, and finishes over the classic Low Gap corridor. Signature challenge: The top of the last major climb is not the finish: riders must still descend and manage a headwind-prone run back to Ukiah.

### Vermont Overland
Tier 2 | Score: 71/100 | 55 mi | 7,000 ft | West Windsor, Vermont (starts at Ascutney Outdoors; course also touches Reading and Woodstock) | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/vermont-overland/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/vermont-overland.md

Vermont's steepest 55 miles disguised as a pastoral New England postcard. 55 miles of Vermont pavé. 7,000 ft elevation. 60% gravel, 30% dirt, 10% pavement. 8 sectors of Class 4 rough unmaintained roads. Technical rating: 4/5. Signature challenge: 7,000 ft elevation over 55 miles = relentless. Vermont pavé sectors = technical. Vermont Overland is OG gravel—founded 2009, one of oldest US events. 55 miles, 7,000 ft elevation. Vermont pavé—8 sectors of rough, unmaintained Class 4 roads like Paris-Roubaix but dirt. Capped at 1,000 riders. Starts at Ascutney Outdoors in West Windsor, near Woodstock. Short distance (55mi) but brutal elevation (7,000 ft = relentless). Technical climbs + pavé sectors reward skills. If you want OG gravel history and Vermont technical terrain, this is it. If you want smooth roads, skip it. Those eight Class 4 sectors will humble anyone who shows up thinking this is a leaf-peeping tour. You need solid climbing legs for 7000 feet of punishment and bike handling skills for unmaintained roads that range from sketchy to bike-breaking. The 1000-rider field sells out in hours because riders who've done it know something the rest of us don't.

### 3RIDES Gravel Winterberg
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 154 mi | 19,193 ft | Winterberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/3rides-gravel-winterberg/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/3rides-gravel-winterberg.md

A three-day UCI-backed climbing race where Sunday punishes every recovery mistake from Friday and Saturday. The long 2026 format opened with a 14 km individual gravel time trial, then stacked a 105 km / 2,550 m Saturday and a 129 km / 3,000 m Sunday. Forest roads dominate, with ski-slope descents, repeated watershed crossings, and Kahler Asten exposure. Signature challenge: Your Sunday fitness is whatever Friday's pacing and Saturday night's recovery leave behind. The course does not need altitude or one monster climb; repeated Sauerland elevation across three days does the damage. The numbers are rude: roughly 154 miles and 19,000 feet if you raced the long 2026 stages, with the UCI qualifier waiting on Sunday after two days already in your legs. Winterberg is new, not iconic. But the format is specific, the course is real gravel, and the production already looks more serious than most first editions. Yes if you want a true gravel stage race and can recover between hard days. Wait for an official next-edition announcement before booking travel or buying a plan. Non-negotiables: Back-to-back durability; Between-stage recovery practice; Wet-gravel descending and traction

### 555 Corsica
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 310.7 mi | 32,808 ft | Porto-Vecchio to Biguglia, Corsica, France | May | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bikingman-corsica/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bikingman-corsica.md

Five hundred kilometers, ten thousand meters up, and just enough support to keep this a race rather than a tour. A 500-kilometer south-to-north Corsican crossing with 10,000 meters of climbing, approximately 100 kilometers of forest tracks, two mandatory checkpoints, and a 60-hour limit. The organizer publishes the final trace and exact checkpoint locations closer to the race. Signature challenge: Keeping a sustainable system intact for 500 kilometers and 10,000 meters of climbing inside 60 hours. 555 Corsica is the gravel member of BikingMan's Corsica week: 500 kilometers, 10,000 meters of climbing, roughly 100 kilometers of forest tracks, two checkpoints, and a 60-hour clock. The route is long enough to demand sleep, fueling, repair, and pacing systems rather than one heroic day. Race it if you already know how to fuel, repair, navigate, and sleep inside a multi-day effort. The terrain is mixed rather than pure gravel, but the 60-hour Corsican crossing is absolutely an ultra.

### Chequamegon MTB
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 41.7 mi | 2,561 ft | Cable, Wisconsin (Chequamegon National Forest) | September | mtb
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/chequamegon-mtb/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/chequamegon-mtb.md

Forty miles of Northwoods power suffering disguised as a mountain bike race that somehow became a gravel institution. 41.7 miles and 2,561 feet on the Birkie ski trail, forest roads, snowmobile routes, and wooded paths. The high-speed mass start, Fire Tower selection, and repeated rollers make positioning and repeatable power decisive. Signature challenge: Survive the high-speed mass start, make the Fire Tower selection, then keep producing power over the Birkie rollers. Chequamegon MTB is legendary—40+ years (founded 1983), a huge mass start, and an elite field in Wisconsin's Northwoods. The current official route is 41.7 miles with 2,561 feet of climbing across the Birkie ski trail, forest roads, snowmobile routes, and wooded paths. The organizer confirms September 18, 2027; the edition-specific schedule and course guide are still pending. Show up fit or don't show up at all—the Seeley Fire Tower climb doesn't care about your weekend warrior training plan. You need sustained power for constant rollers and the mental fortitude to handle September weather that swings from dust storms to mud festivals. If you can hold 250+ watts for three hours while navigating lottery systems and tourist crowds, this delivers old-school racing credibility.

### Garden Route Giro
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | — | — | Mossel Bay to Wilderness, Western Cape, South Africa | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/garden-route-giro/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/garden-route-giro.md

A polished six-day South African gravel tour with a still-unsettled second-edition route. A six-day solo race moving from the Western Cape coast through farmlands, Karoo passes, valleys, and indigenous forest before returning to the ocean edge. Signature challenge: Maintaining stage-to-stage recovery and tactical judgment across roughly 600 km and 11,000 m while the terrain repeatedly changes character. This is one of the few gravel events that has earned the Grand Tour comparison: six days, leaders jerseys, point-to-point towns, serious climbing, and a professional race village that moves with the field. The first edition produced actual racing and the second is confirmed. But the organizer is still revising the 2027 route, and its own pages disagree on whether riders should expect roughly 600 or 684 km. Yes if you want a premium, fully supported stage race with meaningful competition and landscape variety. Non-negotiables: Six-day durability block; Daily recovery system; Variable-terrain execution

### GFNY Philippines
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 84 mi | 4,000 ft | Subic Bay, Philippines | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gfny-philippines/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gfny-philippines.md

GFNY Philippines delivers pro-level road racing in tropical paradise. Rolling paved roads departing Subic Bay Freeport Zone into the scenic Bataan province, featuring coastal views, moderate climbs, and a fast return to the finish. Long course emphasizes endurance with qualifier potential for top age-groupers. Signature challenge: The 84-mile loop through Bataan province, mirroring pro routes with scenic yet demanding paved roads.

### Gran Fondo Coimbra Region
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 100 mi | 6,500 ft | Coimbra, Portugal | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-coimbra/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-coimbra.md

UCI qualifier blending Coimbra's heritage with hilly Portuguese roads for solid sportive suffering.

### Granfondo Alpe Adria
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 100 mi | 6,800 ft | Villach, Carinthia, Austria | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-alpe-adria/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-alpe-adria.md

Alpine tri-nation road epic from Villach delivering big climbs and border thrills.

### Granfondo Leiria Region – Sico Lands
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 92 mi | 6,500 ft | Pombal, Portugal | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-leiria/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-leiria.md

UCI qualifier gem in Portugal's scenic heartland blending heritage, climbs, and coast. Rolling road gran fondo through Leiria region's pine forests, medieval castle towns, and coastal plains, blending sustained climbs with technical descents in Serra de Sicó landscapes. Signature challenge: The Serra de Sicó undulations combining 6500ft of climbing with fast, technical descents through central Portugal's karst terrain.

### Del Fuego Race
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 652.4 mi | 26,762 ft | Puerto Natales to Caleta María, Magallanes, Chile | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-del-fuego/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-del-fuego.md

A 1,050-kilometer line from Puerto Natales to the end of the road. A non-stop, single-stage Patagonian crossing with mandatory controls, organizer aid, no private outside assistance, and open-road exposure. Signature challenge: Keeping equipment, navigation, fueling, sleep, and judgment intact from Puerto Natales through the ferry crossing and the final remote road to Caleta María. Del Fuego Race now publishes three distinct 2027 formats. This profile grades Haín: 1,050 kilometers, 8,157 meters of gain, a Strait of Magellan crossing, and a remote Caleta María finish inside 5.7 days. Baqueanos and Milodón are real 250- and 170-kilometer alternatives, not evidence for a fictional 100-mile course. Yes, if your ultra systems are already proven and you want the logistics, weather, and isolation to be part of the test. No, if this would be your first unsupported overnight ride. Non-negotiables: Loaded-bike multi-day durability; Complete navigation, lighting, repair, sleep, and charging systems; Final-regulation and GPX reconciliation

### Grinduro California
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 51 mi | 7,200 ft | Quincy, California (Plumas County) | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-california/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-california.md

A party disguised as a race where the descents are timed, the climbs are social, and your bike handling matters more than your FTP. 51 miles, 7,200 ft. Enduro format: 4 timed stages (dirt-road climb, dirt-road roller, dirt-road descent, singletrack descent) + untimed climbs. Technical rating: 3/5. Signature challenge: Enduro format—timed descents reward MTB skills. Untimed climbs = social. Party vibe. Grinduro California is party gravel with timed segments. Founded 2015—OG location that spawned global Grinduro series (Germany, France, Scotland, Japan). Enduro format: 4 timed stages (compete) + untimed climbs (social). One of the four timed stages (Smokechaser) is singletrack; the rest are dirt road. 400-600 riders. Quincy small Sierra Nevada town. Legendary post-race party—beer, music, camping. Vibe: 60% party, 40% race. If you want serious racing, skip it. If you want fun event with technical terrain and epic party, this is bucket-list. Come if you want good vibes and can handle singletrack on drop bars—this isn't pure gravel racing. You need actual mountain bike skills for the technical descents and 40-45mm tires that grip. Skip it if you're chasing serious race results or can't ride technical terrain without white knuckling.

### Paris to Ancaster
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 68 mi | 4,000 ft | Paris to Ancaster, Ontario, Canada | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/paris-to-ancaster/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/paris-to-ancaster.md

Canada's spring classic—where mud is the main competitor and surviving is winning. A multi-surface chaos ride through Ontario farmland. Fast flat rail trail sections contrast with hike-a-bike mud chutes. The racing is European spring classic style—surge for position before the bottleneck sectors, survive the mud, then sprint for the final climb. Point-to-point from Paris to Ancaster. Signature challenge: The mud chutes—deep clay sectors that turn racing into survival and break equipment and spirits. Paris to Ancaster is Canada's answer to Paris-Roubaix—a spring classic where mud is the defining variable. It's not the longest or hardest on paper, but the combination of cold, mud, and mechanical carnage makes it uniquely brutal. Founded in 1994, it predates the modern 'gravel' movement. If you want to test yourself in conditions that break bikes and spirits, P2A delivers. Yes if you want Canada's flagship gravel event and can handle mud chaos. Yes if you like spring classics vibes. Skip if you hate cold/wet or can't accept potential mechanical disaster.

### Tartu Rattamaraton Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 70/100 | 78.3 mi | 4,921 ft | Otepää to Elva, Estonia | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tartu-rattamaraton-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tartu-rattamaraton-gravel.md

A thirty-year Estonian bike marathon becomes 93 percent off-road UCI gravel without losing its festival scale. A 126 km point-to-point race from Otepää to Elva on 93% off-road terrain, with relentless short rollers rather than long climbs and a mix of gravel, dirt, and grass. Signature challenge: Keeping momentum over dozens of short rises and through grass sectors so a fast rolling course does not become 126 km of repeated accelerations. A 126 km point-to-point race from Otepää to Elva on 93% off-road terrain, with relentless short rollers rather than long climbs and a mix of gravel, dirt, and grass. Keeping momentum over dozens of short rises and through grass sectors so a fast rolling course does not become 126 km of repeated accelerations. Race Tartu Rattamaraton Gravel if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: Point-to-point Otepää-Elva course; 93% off-road; 1,500 m of short rolling climbs

### Bluewater International Gran Fondo
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 93 mi | 2,800 ft | Sarnia, Ontario, Canada | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bluewater-gran-fondo/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bluewater-gran-fondo.md

Ontario's top gran fondo: scenic, supported, and community-driven perfection. Scenic paved routes along Lake Huron shores, quiet country roads, rolling hills in Arkona, and picturesque orchards, with timed segments for competitive fun. Signature challenge: Timed segments on rolling terrain allowing pacing between efforts, finishing with stunning Lake Huron views.

### Final Frontier Patagonia
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 1678 mi | 82,021 ft | Southern Patagonia, Chile | March | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/final-frontier-patagonia/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/final-frontier-patagonia.md

Ultimate unsupported bikepacking odyssey to the edge of the world through Patagonia's wildest frontiers.

### Gran Fondo Hainan
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 68 mi | 4,000 ft | Hainan Island, China | December | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-hainan/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-hainan.md

Exotic tropical stage race blending coast, TT, and rainforest climbs for winter UCI qualifier fun. Three-day UCI stage race blending coastal flats, time trial, and rainforest mountains on China's tropical island paradise. Signature challenge: Wuzhishan Rainforest queen stage with dual climbs through lush jungle to 787m summit finish.

### Granfondo Yunnan
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 87 mi | 7,500 ft | Kunming, Yunnan, China | November | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-yunnan/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-yunnan.md

China’s premier amateur stage race blends epic Yunnan climbs with cultural immersion.

### Highlands Gravel Classic
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 67 mi | 4,850 ft | Goshen, Arkansas | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/highlands-gravel-classic/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/highlands-gravel-classic.md

One of the US paths to UCI Gravel Worlds—67 miles of Ozark smashfest. A concentrated smashfest through Ozark gravel. Tree canopy covers much of the course, providing shade but limiting descent visibility. The gravel is chunky and sharp—not smooth hardpack. Over a dozen climbs in 67 miles means you're either going up or bombing down. No recovery. Signature challenge: The relentless rollers on chunky sharp gravel—death by a thousand cuts with technical descents mixed in. Highlands Gravel Classic is one of the US qualifiers for UCI Gravel World Championships (alongside Big Sugar and Mammoth TUFF)—that alone makes it significant. The race itself is a 67-mile smashfest through chunky Ozark gravel with constant climbs and technical descents (a 53-mile/3,700ft Masters course covers the official 60+/50+ age-band distance). It's short enough to race hard and long enough to hurt. For anyone chasing UCI qualification, this is a strong option. Yes if you're chasing UCI qualification. Yes if you want a short, intense race on technical terrain. Skip if you want ultra-endurance or smooth gravel.

### Huffmaster Grasshopper
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 90 mi | 4,866 ft | Maxwell, California | February | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/huffmaster-grasshopper/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/huffmaster-grasshopper.md

A deceptively tactical ninety-miler where the easy-looking road start merely delays the real bill. A tactical 54-percent paved, 46-percent dirt loop whose mostly flat first 25 miles give way to a climbing and descending contest in the remote back half. Signature challenge: The punchy gravel climb from roughly mile 40 to 43 breaks the large front group, then a fast dirt descent and later Huffmaster Ranch climb punish anyone who spent too much in the valley wind.

### Majka Gran Fondo
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 73 mi | 5,200 ft | Krakow, Poland | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/majka-gran-fondo/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/majka-gran-fondo.md

UCI qualifier in Polish foothills delivers solid climbing value near Krakow.

### Race Around Austria
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 348 mi | 21,300 ft | St. Georgen im Attergau, Austria | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-around-austria/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-around-austria.md

Austria's emotional ultra gateway via 560km Upper Austria border grind.

### Rock Cobbler
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 82 mi | 8,700 ft | Bakersfield, California | February | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rock-cobbler/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/rock-cobbler.md

The gravel scene's greatest shitshow — equal parts bike race, agricultural obstacle course, and fever dream cooked up by someone who thinks cyclocross isn't weird enough. The main Cobbler course runs 75-90 miles of Central Valley gravel and dirt with roughly 8,700 ft of gain (routes and gain vary year to year; final course isn't announced until race week). 60% gravel, 30% dirt, 10% pavement. Chunky rocky sections. Technical rating: 3/5. Signature challenge: February weather roulette. Chunky rocks. Early season fitness test. Routes and distances change every year — the surprise is part of the event. Rock Cobbler is California's early season gravel classic—the main Cobbler course runs 75-90 miles of Central Valley rocks, dirt, and Havilah climb (with shorter Pebbler and longer Boulder options; final routes/gain vary year to year and aren't announced until race week). Founded by Stephen Fry in 2012. 600+ riders. February timing means weather roulette: 2023 was rain/mud (25%+ DNF), 2024 was perfect. Bakersfield is affordable ($80-120 lodging). Chunky rocky sections reward technical skills. Peter Stetina & Lauren De Crescenzo won 2024. If you're California-based and want early season test, it's great value ($80-$120). If you're flying in, weather risk is real. If you need your races predictable and your routes announced more than a week out, keep scrolling. This is for riders who want their fitness tested by 30% run-ups, cattle dodging, and whatever Sam Ames dreamed up the night before. Your FTP matters less than your ability to laugh while hike-a-biking through a ball pit. Show up undertrained and the scree fields will humble you in ways Strava can't measure.

### The Rad Dirt Fest
Tier 2 | Score: 69/100 | 113 mi | 10,613 ft | Trinidad, Colorado | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-rad/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-rad.md

The Rad serves up fast gravel and Spanish Peaks views, but its 31-mile no-service stretch exposes every training shortcut. A 113-mile altitude race on mostly maintained high-desert gravel. The organizer advertises 10,613 feet of gain and an 8,921-foot high point; its linked route file currently reports about 8,274 feet of gain. Signature challenge: Covering 113 miles at altitude while managing a 31-mile unsupported gap and three on-course cutoffs. The Rad's Stubborn Dolores course is a 113-mile Trinidad race beneath the Spanish Peaks. The organizer advertises 10,613 feet of gain, while its current linked Ride with GPS file measures about 8,274 feet; either number means a long day at altitude. Most of the course is maintained gravel, but the late technical segment, three timed cutoffs, and 31-mile gap to aid punish riders who mistake smooth roads for an easy race. Race it if you want a long, fast gravel course where altitude management and self-support matter more than technical bravado. Skip it if remote travel, a premium entry fee, or a late-day cutoff turns preparation into guesswork.

### BWR Arizona
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 103 mi | 7,500 ft | North Scottsdale / Rio Verde, Arizona (Ranch Road Staging Area) | February | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-arizona/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bwr-arizona.md

Technical desert suffering through sand, rock, and singletrack—a true BWR experience in Sonoran landscapes. A desert gravel experience that emphasizes technical unroad over pure climbing. Sand washes, rocky singletrack, and punchy desert climbs through Sonoran landscapes. The BWR formula adapted to high-desert terrain. Signature challenge: The combination of sand, rock, and technical singletrack in desert conditions—'more unroad' means the terrain difficulty compensates for the shorter mileage relative to some other BWR events. BWR Arizona delivers the BWR suffering formula in a desert package—technical singletrack, sand, rocks, and punchy climbs through Sonoran landscapes. Elevation gain (~7,500ft) is now in the same range as BWR California, so the desert flavor comes from unroad technical demands rather than a lower vert count. Not a major series race, but attracts that caliber of competition. Yes if you want technical gravel racing with genuine unroad terrain. Yes if you're chasing BWR cred without major series pressure. Skip if you expect smooth gravel roads or hate sand and rocks.

### Collegiate Gravel Nationals
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 50 mi | 4,921 ft | Turkey, Texas | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/collegiate-gravel-nationals/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/collegiate-gravel-nationals.md

The inaugural collegiate nationals that trades established prestige for first-year chaos in the Texas panhandle. 100 km, 1,500 m. 80% gravel, 20% dirt. Texas Panhandle—rolling plains, red dirt. Technical rating: 2/5. Signature challenge: 100 km + Texas Panhandle wind + rolling plains. National Championship competitive field. Collegiate Gravel Nationals is USA Cycling National Championship—100 km, 1,500 m elevation. Founded ~2019. 80% gravel, 20% dirt. Texas Panhandle—rolling plains, red dirt. 200-400 collegiate riders. Turkey, TX (remote). April spring conditions (15-25°C, wind). Affordable entry ($50-$75). If you're collegiate and want National Championship, this is it. If you're not collegiate, you can't race. National Championship prestige. If you're college-aged with decent fitness and want to claim bragging rights as the first-ever winner, this is your shot. The 62-mile mix of gravel roads, rail trail, and singletrack won't destroy you, but March in Texas means unpredictable weather and zero race history to guide your prep. Show up ready for anything because nobody knows what they're doing yet.

### Sea Otter Fuego XL
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 70 mi | 7,800 ft | Monterey, California | April | mtb
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/fuego-mtb/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/fuego-mtb.md

Sea Otter's sandbox climbs and corporate chaos create a perfectly mediocre gravel experience wrapped in mountain bike tradition. Fort Ord's sandy climbs and loose-over-hard descents turn your bike into a wrestling match. Two laps of relentless XC terrain where the sandstone gets looser and the ruts get deeper as 2,000 riders churn the course into a minefield of blown lines and shattered legs. Signature challenge: The sandy climbs don't negotiate with your fitness or technique. Fort Ord's sandstone terrain punishes every inefficient pedal stroke and rewards only those who've learned to dance with loose dirt. By lap two, the course has been churned into a minefield where clean lines disappear and mechanical sympathy becomes survival. If you can hold 250+ watts for three hours and enjoy fighting sandy ruts while dodging expo traffic, this works. The course isn't technical but those loose-over-hard descents will humble cocky roadies, and April weather swings from 40 to 90 degrees without warning. Skip it if you want pure gravel culture – this is MTB pageantry with drop bars allowed.

### Gravel and Tar Classic
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 75 mi | 6,175 ft | Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand | January | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-and-tar-classic/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-and-tar-classic.md

New Zealand's most beautiful way to discover that punctures and time cuts don't negotiate. The 2027 Classic is an elite and under-19 road race on approximately 75% sealed and 25% gravel roads in the Pohangina region. The organizer has not yet published its distance or elevation gain. Signature challenge: A mixed-surface elite road race whose 2027 course distance and gain are not yet published. Gravel and Tar Classic is a UCI 1.2 elite/international-license-only road race with gravel sectors, founded 2016 (UCI status since 2018), in New Zealand's Manawatū-Whanganui region. Amateur riders cannot enter the Classic itself — the public entry point is the companion ride, rebranded 'Slicks and Stones Gravel Assault,' relaunching at a new venue (Apiti) in April 2026 (Full Assault: 120 km / 1,882 m, ~80% gravel). The 2025 Classic was cancelled due to low entries. January midsummer conditions. If you want a New Zealand gravel adventure ride, target the amateur Gravel Assault event, not the Classic itself. If you can handle 99 miles where the gravel sectors exist specifically to fracture the field and leave riders scattered across the Manawatū countryside, this is your kind of suffering. The 25% gravel ratio sounds friendly until you're dealing with punctures while chasing time cuts that historically claim a significant chunk of the field. Show up undertrained and you'll join the long list of DNFs who underestimated what 'toughest one-day race in Oceania' actually means.

### Roughneck Gravel Roubaix
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 101.9 mi | 9,985 ft | Titusville, Pennsylvania | — | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-roubaix/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-roubaix.md

A century of oil-country gravel with almost 10,000 feet of climbing. Roughneck starts and finishes in Titusville and sends riders onto predominantly gravel roads around the Allegheny River and Oil Creek. The McClintock's defining demand is repeated climbing: the organizer-linked 2026 file records 101.9 miles and about 9,985 feet of gain. Signature challenge: The McClintock puts nearly 10,000 feet of gain into roughly 102 miles. Repeated six-mile-scale climbs out of the Allegheny River valley make conservative pacing and reliable descending more important than one dramatic feature. Yes, if you want a regional gravel race whose difficulty comes from repeated Allegheny River valley climbs, rough roads, and a genuinely distinctive Titusville setting. Wait for the next official date and route before buying travel or building a race-specific calendar.

### Grinduro Canada
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 67 mi | 5,900 ft | Saint-Urbain-de-Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-canada/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/grinduro-canada.md

A mountain bike race disguised as gravel, where meteorite-shaped terrain separates the prepared from the delusional. Grinduro Canada drops you inside a 450-million-year-old meteorite crater where Mother Nature has been plotting your demise since the Ordovician period. Four timed segments demand everything from singletrack handling to sand survival, connected by 'neutral' sections that aren't neutral at all. This isn't gravel racing—it's enduro with a gravel entry fee. Signature challenge: The course pretends to be gravel but demands full mountain bike skills across four timed segments that expose every weakness in your technical repertoire. Ancient meteorite impacts created terrain that laughs at road bike geometry and narrow tires—show up on the wrong equipment and the crater will humble you publicly. If you panic on technical singletrack or think 25mm tires are acceptable, stay home. This demands MTB skills, fat rubber, and comfort with getting your ego adjusted by Quebec sand pits. The festival vibes and excellent food soften the blow, but won't save you from walking the steep, loose climbs that eat narrow tires alive.

### Hong Kong Cyclothon
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 31 mi | 1,200 ft | Hong Kong, China | November | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/hong-kong-cyclothon/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/hong-kong-cyclothon.md

Urban bridge-blasting sportive blending Hong Kong's skyline with mass-ride energy.

### Jämtlandspilen
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 152 mi | 5,000 ft | Östersund, Sweden | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/jamtlandspilen/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/jamtlandspilen.md

Ultimate Swedish road ultra for endurance junkies craving value-packed suffering. A demanding road ultra looping through Jämtland's forested hills and lake-dotted plains around Östersund, blending steady climbs with fast rollers on smooth tarmac. Signature challenge: The 'Jämtland Wall' - a 2-mile grind at 7% average near the 100-mile mark, often deciding the race in crosswinds.

### Pyrénées Catalanes Gravel Tour
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 62.1 mi | 7,500 ft | Font-Romeu, Pyrénées-Orientales, France | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pyrenees-catalanes-gravel-tour/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pyrenees-catalanes-gravel-tour.md

A young UCI qualifier with grown-up altitude and 7,500 feet of climbing in only 62 miles. A three-loop, high-altitude UCI qualifier from Font-Romeu. The eastern loop reaches Col du Calvaire and returns at 39 km; the southern loop adds a 10 km climb and returns at 76 km; the final northern loop reaches Pic de la Calma at 2,006 m before a downhill finish. Signature challenge: Arriving at the final 25 km with enough climbing power left for Pic de la Calma, then descending cleanly to Font-Romeu after a day spent near 6,000 feet. Do not read 100 km and expect a friendly half-day. The course packs 2,286 metres of climbing into three loops, never drops below meaningful altitude, and saves its highest point for the final 12 km. It is a young race, but the UCI field and Pyrenean course are already legitimate. Race it if UCI age-group stakes and a compact mountain course appeal to you. Skip it if you cannot arrive with either altitude exposure or a conservative pacing plan. Non-negotiables: Climbing density; Altitude pacing; Descending under fatigue

### Velothon Berlin
Tier 2 | Score: 67/100 | 99 mi | 2,000 ft | Berlin, Germany | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/velothon-berlin/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/velothon-berlin.md

Berlin's fastest, flashiest road race - pure speed through history's epicenter. Lightning-fast urban circuit showcasing Berlin's landmarks on completely closed roads, prioritizing pure speed and spectator energy over climbing challenges. Signature challenge: Sustaining 45+ kph average speeds for 99 miles on flat roads past Reichstag, East Side Gallery, and Victory Column with 13,000 competitors.

### GFNY San Juan
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 96 mi | 4,265 ft | San Juan, Argentina | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gfny-san-juan/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gfny-san-juan.md

GFNY's Andean gateway: accessible distance, scenic climbs, pro experience. Two laps through Ullum Valley's plains and hills, climbing to Punta Negra dam via spectacular Interlagos route, finishing in San Juan city center. Transitions from flatlands to Andean foothills on smooth pavement. Signature challenge: Double lap structure in Ullum Valley culminating at Punta Negra dam - power endurance meets Andean backdrop.

### Gran Fondo San Diego
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 101 mi | 6,600 ft | San Diego, California, USA | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-san-diego/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-san-diego.md

A well-organized, community-focused century ride through San Diego's scenic backcountry with excellent support infrastructure and celebratory atmosphere. The Gran Fondo San Diego features the classic 'Great Western Loop' through East County's scenic backcountry, combining rolling terrain with strategic climbing challenges. The route showcases San Diego's diverse athletic landscape and natural beauty, transitioning from urban downtown San Diego through suburban areas into the rugged backcountry before returning to the waterfront finish. Signature challenge: The timed Japatul Road climb at mile 36, which determines KOM/QOM winners across eight age categories and represents the event's primary competitive climbing test.

### Jackson Forest Grasshopper
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 32 mi | 4,138 ft | Caspar, California | April | mtb
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/jackson-forest-grasshopper/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/jackson-forest-grasshopper.md

An XC race wearing Grasshopper colors, and better for admitting it. A 100-percent off-road loop combining roughly 15 miles of singletrack with forest dirt and gravel roads. Signature challenge: The course rewards the rider who can preserve traction and composure through changing redwood-forest conditions while climbing more than 4,000 feet in 32 miles.

### Lost River Classic
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 85 mi | 8,500 ft | Mathias, West Virginia | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/lost-river-classic/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/lost-river-classic.md

West Virginia's humid, hilly reminder that 8,500 feet of climbing doesn't need a single big mountain to break your legs. The Lost River Classic is Appalachian gravel distilled: constant elevation change through George Washington National Forest roads with no flat recovery sections. You're either grinding uphill on loose gravel or managing rocky descents that punish lapses in attention. The 85-mile course accumulates 8,500 feet via repeated moderate climbs rather than single dramatic ascents. Rocky, rutted descents with embedded rocks demand strong bike handling even when legs are cooked. Remote backcountry sections deliver genuine adventure feel with limited cell service and sparse support. This isn't a race with signature viewpoints or Instagrammable moments. It's 85 miles of honest work where heat management matters more than power output. Signature challenge: Managing 6-8 hours of constant elevation change and heat stress in August humidity with 30-mile self-supported sections. Not a single dramatic moment but sustained grinding endurance. The Lost River Classic doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. This is grassroots West Virginia gravel at its core: 85 miles of constant climbing through humid forest roads, rocky descents that punish mistakes, and August heat that compounds every effort. You won't find prize purses or Instagram influencers here. You'll find 250 regional riders who showed up to suffer together and support trail advocacy. The course delivers legitimate challenge—8,500 feet of elevation isn't a typo—but the real test is managing heat stress during 6-8 hours of constant work. Aid stations are 30 miles apart. Cell service is spotty. If something goes wrong, you problem-solve or walk out. That's the deal. If you want a well-produced national event with all the amenities, look elsewhere. If you want authentic Appalachian gravel racing where the challenge is real and the community actually cares about trail access, this is it. You need legitimate climbing fitness and wide-range gearing for the constant Appalachian rollers. August heat plus humidity makes this harder than the elevation suggests, and the rocky technical descents will punish weak bike handling. Show up undertrained and you'll be walking plenty of those punchy climbs in the remote backcountry sections.

### Nordic Chase Berlin to Copenhagen Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 454 mi | 13,123 ft | Berlin, Germany to Copenhagen, Denmark | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nordic-chase-berlin-copenhagen-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nordic-chase-berlin-copenhagen-gravel.md

Berlin forests, Baltic wind, a ferry, and 454 self-supported miles to Copenhagen. The latest detailed route leaves Berlin, works north through forest tracks and farmland, reaches the Baltic, crosses by ferry into Denmark, and finishes on the gravel paths of Sjælland in Copenhagen. It is one continuous self-supported race, not a stage event. The final 2027 GPX may change and is intentionally not represented here as fixed. Signature challenge: Holding an efficient all-day pace through exposed, rolling terrain while coordinating resupply, sleep, navigation, and the ferry connection. Berlin to Copenhagen is still a serious overnight ultra, but it is the more approachable of Nordic Chase's two gravel crossings: less climbing and a shorter route than Copenhagen to Oslo, with a satisfying geographic arc from German forests to the Baltic and across Sjælland. That does not make it beginner-friendly. Self-support, sleep, ferries, wind, and a 100-hour clock still punish sloppy execution. Yes if you have overnight gravel experience and want a point-to-point ultra without the extra climbing and distance of the Oslo route. It is still too consequential for an untested lighting, sleep, or resupply system.

### Nordic Chase Copenhagen to Oslo Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 497 mi | 23,622 ft | Copenhagen, Denmark to Oslo, Norway | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nordic-chase-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/nordic-chase-gravel.md

Three countries, roughly 500 miles, and no support crew to rescue bad pacing or bad logistics. The latest organizer-verified route leaves Copenhagen, runs north through Denmark, crosses by ferry into Sweden, and uses gravel roads, forest trails, and quiet villages on the way to Oslo. It is an uninterrupted self-supported ultra, not a four-stage hotel race. The final 2027 GPX may change and is intentionally not represented here as fixed. Signature challenge: Keeping food, navigation, sleep, clothing, and bike reliability under control for roughly 800 kilometres without private support. This is the marquee gravel crossing in the Nordic Chase series: nearly 500 miles from Copenhagen to Oslo with no private support, a ferry between Denmark and Sweden, and enough forest road and overnight fatigue to turn small mistakes into expensive ones. The organizer has confirmed the 2027 event window, but not the exact grand depart or final GPX, so the latest 800-kilometre route is a planning reference rather than a promise. Yes if you already understand overnight self-supported riding and want the most complete Nordic Chase adventure. First-time ultra riders should prove their sleep, lighting, navigation, and resupply systems on shorter events before committing.

### Pan Celtic Ultra
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 1427 mi | 84,645 ft | Wales to Ireland | July | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pan-celtic-ultra/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pan-celtic-ultra.md

An epic, culturally-immersive ultra-distance cycling odyssey through Celtic nations for experienced riders seeking adventure over competition.

### Race Around Ireland
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 1336 mi | 72,000 ft | Trim, County Meath, Ireland | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-around-ireland/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/race-around-ireland.md

Brutal non-stop Irish coastal ultra for true endurance masochists.

### RADL GRVL
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 79.6 mi | 6,199 ft | Adelaide Hills, South Australia | January | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/radl-grvl/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/radl-grvl.md

Australia's gravel monument that kicks off the international season with Adelaide Hills punishment and post-race shiraz. 128.1 km and 1,889 m of climbing on a 61% unpaved route through the Adelaide Hills, including the Shiraz Trail and private vineyard paths. Signature challenge: 128.1 km with 1,889 m of climbing across the Adelaide Hills. RADL GRVL is Adelaide Hills adventure—127 km, ~2,200 m elevation (Blue course). Founded 2024. Rolling Australian bush terrain. Adelaide city (good airport access). Late January summer conditions during Tour Down Under week (low 30s°C reported in 2026). Affordable entry (A$150-A$200 / $100-$135). Paused for 2027 as of the organizers' Jul 2026 announcement. If you want Australian gravel adventure with good logistics, this is it. If you want local/domestic race, skip it. International destination race. If you can handle 2,300 meters of climbing on sketchy gravel roads while jetlagged, the Blue course rewards masochists with proper suffering through wine country. The Red gives you 60% of the pain for half the bragging rights. Skip it if you need perfect organization—this is only three years old and still figuring things out.

### UCI Gran Fondo Hangzhou
Tier 2 | Score: 66/100 | 87 mi | 5,200 ft | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China | October | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/uci-gran-fondo-hangzhou/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/uci-gran-fondo-hangzhou.md

Scenic Qiandao Lake UCI qualifier blending Chinese beauty with competitive road punch.

### Crystal Bear
Tier 2 | Score: 64/100 | 192 mi | 8,000 ft | Laona, WI to Crystal Falls, MI | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/crystal-bear/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/crystal-bear.md

Crystal Bear is what happens when bikepacking meets gravel racing in the Northwoods—darkness, sandy sections, and 192 miles of self-reliant suffering. The Crystal Bear is an overnight point-to-point bikepacking odyssey through the Northwoods of Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Unlike mass-start gravel races, this is self-supported adventure racing: you carry overnight gear, navigate independently, and resupply at small-town gas stations 40-60 miles apart. The terrain itself is moderate—rolling Northwoods gravel with 8,000 feet spread across 192 miles—but the overnight format is the real challenge. You'll spend 8-10 hours riding through pitch-black forest with only your headlight for company. Sandy sections sap momentum. Stream crossings require focus. Cold overnight temperatures (30-45°F) demand warmth management. Sleep deprivation compounds navigation challenges. This isn't about crushing segments or chasing KOMs. It's about holding it together mentally and physically for 15-30 hours straight while entirely self-reliant. Signature challenge: Managing 8-10 hours of solo darkness riding through remote Northwoods forest while fighting sleep deprivation, cold, and psychological isolation with zero external support. The Crystal Bear isn't about who's fastest. It's about who can hold it together when every external factor—darkness, cold, loneliness, sleep deprivation—is screaming to quit. This is overnight bikepacking racing at its purest: 192 miles of self-supported Northwoods gravel where you'll spend 8-10 hours riding solo through pitch-black forest with nothing but your headlight and your own thoughts. The terrain itself isn't brutal—8,000 feet over 192 miles is moderate climbing—but the format is the challenge. You'll fight sandy sections that kill momentum. You'll navigate stream crossings at 2 AM when your brain is mush. You'll stop to eat and start shivering within 5 minutes from overnight cold. And you'll do it all alone, with resupply points 40-60 miles apart and spotty cell service. This isn't a race for your first ultra-endurance event. It's for riders who've done the long stuff and are ready to test themselves against isolation and darkness. If you finish, you'll have earned something real. If you DNF, you'll learn exactly where your mental limits are. Either way, you won't forget it. You need overnight riding experience and the gear to match—this isn't your first gravel race with a bivy thrown in last minute. The sandy Wisconsin forest roads will humble roadie legs, and navigation errors in darkness can add hours. Come if you've done multi-day rides solo and understand that 'self-supported' means exactly that when you're flat-tired at 2 AM in the middle of nowhere.

### Dirty French
Tier 2 | Score: 64/100 | 100 mi | 9,000 ft | Chillicothe, Ohio | May | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dirty-french/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dirty-french.md

Ohio delivers 9,000 feet of legitimate gravel suffering without the pretension of mountain racing. Dirty French borrows everything cruel from Ohio's rolling farm country and amplifies it through 9,000 feet of grinding climbs. This isn't manicured gravel—it's crushed limestone that turns to peanut butter when wet, farm roads that pitch up without warning, and long stretches where your GPS becomes your only friend. The Chillicothe region doesn't negotiate; it just keeps rolling upward until your legs forget what flat feels like. Signature challenge: Nine thousand feet of elevation over Ohio farm roads means you're climbing constantly, but never dramatically enough to justify walking. The gradient hovers in that cruel 6-8% range where you can't rest but can't power through either. By mile 70, every slight rise feels personal. You need solid fitness for 100 miles and 9,000 feet—this isn't a beginner's ride. The rolling Midwest terrain means constant power output with no real recovery sections. Come prepared for variable weather and mechanical self-sufficiency. If you can handle a 6-8 hour suffer-fest without mountain views as motivation, this will test you properly.

### Gran Fondo Argentina
Tier 2 | Score: 64/100 | 77 mi | 300 ft | Buenos Aires, Argentina | October | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-argentina/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-argentina.md

### Granfondo Bratislava
Tier 2 | Score: 64/100 | 62 mi | 3,600 ft | Bratislava, Slovakia | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-bratislava/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/granfondo-bratislava.md

Slovakia's top gran fondo blends Pezinska Baba punch with Bratislava accessibility.

### Gravel Arteaga Mexico
Tier 2 | Score: 64/100 | 82.6 mi | 5,407 ft | Arteaga, Coahuila, Mexico | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-arteaga-mexico/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-arteaga-mexico.md

Mexico's first UCI gravel qualifier starts high, climbs for forty kilometres, and stays in the Sierra Madre. A high-altitude Sierra Madre course with a long opening ascent, forest and ridgeline gravel above 2,700 m, then a fast continuous descent to Arteaga. Signature challenge: Holding back during the first forty kilometres so altitude and the long descent do not turn an early selection into a late collapse. A high-altitude Sierra Madre course with a long opening ascent, forest and ridgeline gravel above 2,700 m, then a fast continuous descent to Arteaga. Holding back during the first forty kilometres so altitude and the long descent do not turn an early selection into a late collapse. Race Gravel Arteaga Mexico if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: Forty-kilometre opening ascent; Ridges above 2,700 m; Mixed technical sectors

### HYSK Gravel Classic Yakurai
Tier 2 | Score: 64/100 | 66.5 mi | 8,563 ft | Kami Town, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/hysk-gravel-classic-yakurai/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/hysk-gravel-classic-yakurai.md

A real mountain-gravel test whose climbing density matters more than its 66-mile headline. A two-lap mountain gravel race around Kami Town with 70 percent gravel and climbing that accumulates almost continuously. Signature challenge: Fit 2,610 meters of climbing into a 107-kilometer race while preserving traction and pacing on the gravel sectors.

### Atlas Mountain Race
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 827 mi | 81,011 ft | Ouzoud to Essaouira, Morocco | March | bikepacking
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/atlas-mountain-race/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/atlas-mountain-race.md

827 unsupported miles and 81,000 feet across Morocco. The 2027 fixed route runs 1,331 kilometers from Ouzoud through the Atlas and Anti-Atlas to Essaouira, gaining 24,688 meters on gravel, singletrack, doubletrack, and remote colonial pistes with very little tarmac. Signature challenge: The clock never stops during an unsupported eight-day crossing with long gaps between resupply points and mandatory hike-a-bike terrain. Atlas Mountain Race is 827 unsupported miles from Ouzoud to Essaouira with roughly 81,000 feet of climbing. It is a Tier 2 bikepacking race because the route and experience are exceptional, while the field stays small and the logistics punish anyone who treats it like a normal gravel event. If you're an elite ultra-endurance rider with a big budget—maybe. For most riders—there are better options. Non-negotiables: Ultra-endurance training; Self-sufficiency skills; Budget planning

### Dirty 30
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 100 mi | 3,500 ft | Saranac, Michigan | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dirty-30/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/dirty-30.md

The Dirty 30 gets by on Michigan charm and distance options, but without signature terrain or serious prestige, it's more local weekend fun than destination race. Rolling Michigan gravel. Forest roads, rural gravel. 3,500 ft over 100 miles = constant rollers. No big climbs, just relentless ups and downs. Signature challenge: Constant rolling terrain—cumulative elevation without big climbs. April cold and mud risk. Dirty 30 is a Michigan Gravel Race Series event in April—meaning cold starts, mud potential, and early season fitness reality checks. 100 miles, 3,500 ft of constant rollers (no big climbs, just relentless ups and downs). Field is ~500, vibe is regional community. This isn't a destination race; it's a solid early season test for Midwest riders. If you're from Michigan or nearby, it's a good value ($45-$75). If you're flying in, there are better options. If you're in the Midwest looking for solid training miles with low pressure, this works. The 100-mile option gives you century bragging rights without the Unbound brutality, and starting from downtown Saranac beats another cornfield parking lot. Skip it if you need technical challenges or want to test yourself against serious competition—3500 feet over 100 miles won't break anyone who's been riding longer than six months.

### Iowa Wind and Rock
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 340 mi | 8,000 ft | Winterset, Iowa | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/iowa-wind-and-rock/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/iowa-wind-and-rock.md

340 miles of Iowa gravel where the wind never stops and the suffering compounds every hour you're out there. Iowa Wind and Rock is 340 miles of honest Iowa gravel: crushed limestone roads rolling through endless agricultural land with zero shelter from wind. The terrain itself is moderate—8,000 feet of elevation spread thin via constant short climbs—but the format is brutal. You'll ride 30-50 hours continuously, crossing into overnight hours (often two nights for slower riders), navigating independently with GPS, and resupplying at small-town gas stations. The wind is THE defining feature: 10-20 mph sustained headwinds and crosswinds for hours. The constant rolling terrain means you never truly rest—always climbing or grinding into wind. River valley crossings add scenic variety and punchy elevation. The self-supported format strips away all external motivation. No crowds. No aid stations. No teammates. Just you, Iowa backroads, and the mental test of keeping pedals turning for 40+ hours when quitting would be easy. Signature challenge: Managing 30-50 hours of continuous riding while fighting relentless Iowa wind, sleep deprivation, and the psychological isolation of self-supported ultra-endurance racing with no external motivation. Iowa Wind and Rock is 340 miles of truth serum on gravel. You can't hide behind teammates, tactics, or short bursts of power. This is 30-50 hours of continuous forward motion where the wind grinds you down, the constant rolling terrain never lets you recover, and your own brain becomes the biggest obstacle. The terrain itself isn't hard—Iowa gravel is fast when dry, and there are no mountains. But the wind is relentless. You'll spend hours grinding into headwinds at 8-10 mph, watching your finish time balloon, questioning why you signed up. Sleep deprivation hits around Hour 25-30. Navigation errors happen. The loneliness of self-supported racing amplifies every doubt. And April weather is a lottery: rain turns the course into mud hell, cold overnight temps test your layering strategy, or you luck out with mild sunny conditions. If you finish, you'll have earned something rare: proof that you can keep going when every external factor and internal voice says stop. If you DNF, you'll learn exactly where your limits are. Either outcome teaches you something. You need 200+ mile experience and the mental fortitude to grind through 40+ hours of constant wind exposure across endless farm roads. This isn't about watts—it's about navigation skills, self-sufficiency, and accepting that you'll question every life choice around Mile 200. Skip it if you've never done overnight riding or think Iowa looks flat and easy.

### Ned Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 70 mi | 8,300 ft | Nederland, Colorado | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ned-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/ned-gravel.md

High-altitude Front Range gravel with ghost towns and serious climbing. High-altitude mountain gravel with significant climbing through ghost towns. Signature challenge: High-altitude mountain climbing in Colorado Rockies through ghost towns. Ned Gravel is a high-altitude mountain gravel race in Colorado's Front Range with significant climbing and thin air. Nederland sits at 8,000+ feet, and the course climbs to 10,300 feet through ghost towns and mining country. The Colorado Rockies setting and altitude challenge elevate it above typical regional events, but the field remains mostly regional. Near Boulder with moderate access. Well-organized with four distance options. If you're in Colorado and want a mountain gravel challenge near Boulder with real altitude—yes, it's a solid event. If you're from out of state—there are more prestigious options. Non-negotiables: Altitude acclimatization; Mountain climbing endurance; Mountain weather preparation

### OG Classique
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 77.1 mi | 5,079 ft | Wakefield, Quebec, Canada | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/og-classique/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/og-classique.md

Quebec gravel with a twenty-percent sting, a Paugan Dam crossing, and a finish built for small-group racing. A rolling 124 km course through the Gatineau Hills, combining 71% gravel, repeated forest climbs, the Paugan Dam crossing, and fast connectors back to Wakefield. Signature challenge: Staying attached over repeated steep climbs without over-braking the descents, because the 2026 race showed the win can still come down to a small-group sprint. A rolling 124 km course through the Gatineau Hills, combining 71% gravel, repeated forest climbs, the Paugan Dam crossing, and fast connectors back to Wakefield. Staying attached over repeated steep climbs without over-braking the descents, because the 2026 race showed the win can still come down to a small-group sprint. Race OG Classique if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: Climbs up to 20%; Paugan Dam crossing; Forested gravel descents

### Gran Fondo Pekan / Pekan Classic
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 101 mi | 2,500 ft | Royal Town of Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pekan-classics/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/pekan-classics.md

Scenic, affordable UCI gran fondo blending flat speed with moderate Pahang hills. Flat river-hugging out-and-back with a central loop deviation, featuring moderate rolling hills and short steep pitches amid tropical scenery. Signature challenge: Pahang River double-sided routing: 108km flat borders punctuated by a hilly loop for 2500ft gain.

### The Wolf
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 102.5 mi | 4,587 ft | Dronninglund, North Jutland, Denmark | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-wolf-dronninglund/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-wolf-dronninglund.md

Denmark gets hilly in a hurry: castle cobbles, rugged forest roads, and three laps for the young categories. A multi-lap North Jutland race from Flauenskjold through Voergaard Castle and Dronninglund Storskov, alternating fast gravel with rough forest roads. Signature challenge: Handling the early castle selection cleanly, then resisting the temptation to over-race the first of three rolling forest laps. A multi-lap North Jutland race from Flauenskjold through Voergaard Castle and Dronninglund Storskov, alternating fast gravel with rough forest roads. Handling the early castle selection cleanly, then resisting the temptation to over-race the first of three rolling forest laps. Race The Wolf if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: Voergaard Castle courtyard; Rugged forest tracks; 466 m climbing per published lap

### Tour of Oman Sportive
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 105 mi | 8,500 ft | Muscat, Oman | February | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-of-oman-sportive/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/tour-of-oman-sportive.md

Pro roads, Arabian climbs: winter sportive gold.

### UEC Gravel European Championships — Lahti 2027
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | — | — | Lahti, Finland | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/uec-gravel-european-championships/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/uec-gravel-european-championships.md

The European title gives Lahti weight before the route exists; the final course will decide whether the race earns the rest. A fast European Championship on more than 90% Finnish gravel. UEC confirms hardpack roads, forest dual track, wide flow trails, and limited climbing; the final distance, gain, and sequence are still unpublished. Signature challenge: Championship speed on fast hardpack, not a mountain-gravel survival contest. That is the confirmed design direction, not a substitute for the pending route map. Lahti gets the fifth UEC Gravel European Championships and Finland's first UEC championship. That buys the event a qualified field and serious stakes before the first rider clips in. It does not buy permission to pretend the 2026 Falling Leaves course is the 2027 championship route. If you have qualified and carry European sporting nationality, yes: this is the continental title. If you have not qualified, the sportive remains an option, but do not confuse day-licence participation with racing for the jersey. Wait for the technical guide before choosing tires or a race-specific build. Non-negotiables: Qualification-level pack speed; Fast-gravel handling; Course-specific durability

### USA Cycling Gravel Nationals
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 110 mi | 7,500 ft | La Crescent, Minnesota (2025-26); previously Gering, Nebraska (2023-24). 2027 host not yet announced. | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/usa-cycling-gravel-nationals/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/usa-cycling-gravel-nationals.md

The national championship with open entry—stars and stripes on Driftless gravel with UCI Worlds pathway. Driftless Region 'champagne gravel' with punchy blufftop climbs. The terrain looks Midwestern-gentle but delivers relentless 10-15% gradients throughout. Apple orchards, gravel quarries, and river valley views provide scenery between efforts. Signature challenge: Nine mile-long climbs spread through the body of the race, then a signature finishing circuit -- Chicken Ridge, an apple orchard, and a working gravel quarry -- before the final 1-mile, 8%-average kicker with roughly 4 miles still to go. USA Cycling Gravel Nationals delivers what the name promises—a legitimate national championship with open entry and UCI Worlds qualification. The Driftless Region course is harder than it looks with punchy 10-15% climbs and 'champagne gravel' that gets loose when freshly graded. Young event (est. 2023) finding its identity, but the jersey means something. Yes if you want a legitimate national championship jersey and Worlds qualification. Yes if you appreciate accessible championship racing. Skip if you want destination adventure over competitive credentialing.

### Vapor Trail 125
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 125 mi | 9,000 ft | Leadville, Colorado | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/vapor-trail-125/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/vapor-trail-125.md

125-mile high-altitude Colorado mountain gravel in Leadville. High-altitude mountain gravel for 125 miles. Signature challenge: 125-mile distance at extreme altitude (10,000ft+) with mountain climbing. Vapor Trail 125 is a 125-mile high-altitude gravel race in Leadville, Colorado—mountain terrain with extreme altitude (10,000ft+). The combination of 125 miles and extreme altitude is a serious challenge, but the moderate organization and regional field keep it in Tier 3. Leadville provides moderate access. Summer mountain weather at altitude adds complexity. If you want a high-altitude endurance test—yes, it's a serious challenge. If you want organization or pro field depth—look elsewhere. Non-negotiables: Century+ endurance at altitude; Extreme altitude acclimation; High-altitude pacing

### VeloTurk Gran Fondo Cesme
Tier 2 | Score: 63/100 | 57 mi | 3,400 ft | Cesme, Izmir, Turkey | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/veloturk-gran-fondo-cesme/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/veloturk-gran-fondo-cesme.md

Scenic Aegean gran fondo blending coastal beauty, moderate challenge, and Turkish charity vibes.

### Boulder Roubaix Road Race
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 30 mi | 1,200 ft | Boulder Reservoir, Boulder County, Colorado, USA | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/boulder-roubaix/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/boulder-roubaix.md

Colorado's 34-year spring classic. 61% dirt, USAC-sanctioned, and unapologetically hard. Rolling mixed-surface through North Boulder County agricultural landscape. The 2026 course is a new 30-mile (48 km) loop — 61% unpaved, 39% paved — that starts and finishes at Boulder Reservoir. The terrain is constant undulation through working farm and county roads that can be anywhere from smooth to extremely rutted depending on weather. No single dramatic climb, but the accumulated rolling and the wind across open terrain create a war of attrition. The finishing stretch along the Boulder Feeder Canal and across the reservoir dams adds a challenging technical element to the final miles. Signature challenge: The wind. Not the terrain, not the climbing, not the distance — the wind across open North Boulder County farmland is what defines Boulder Roubaix. In 2024, it shut down the race. On any given edition, it determines whether the dirt roads are fast-rolling or soul-crushing. Combined with the unpredictable surface conditions and spring weather variability, the wind transforms a rolling 30-mile circuit into a legitimate test of tactical racing and survival. Boulder Roubaix is what happens when you take the spirit of Paris-Roubaix and transplant it to Colorado's Front Range farm roads. Since 1992, this biennial race has sent riders onto the unpaved county roads north of Boulder — roads that were 'gravel' decades before gravel became a category. The course does not need cobblestones to create chaos: rutted dirt roads, spring wind that can shut down the race, and surface conditions that change hourly deliver the unpredictability that defines a classic. It is a proper USAC road race with categorized fields and a pro purse, not a recreational ride. The 2026 edition moves to Boulder Reservoir with a new 30-mile loop that is 61% unpaved — further embracing the mixed-surface identity that has always defined this event. Yes if you are a competitive road or gravel racer who wants a legitimate USAC road race on mixed surfaces. Yes if you live in Colorado and want to test your early-season form on the defining spring race. Yes if you want to experience the event that was doing 'gravel racing' before the term existed. Skip if you want a long-distance endurance challenge (most categories are 30-60 miles), or if you need a destination event with a national profile. Non-negotiables: Mixed-surface tire selection tested on dirt roads; Wind-exposure training on open terrain; Self-sufficiency kit: pump, spare tube, multi-tool

### Cohutta Gravel Grinder
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 100 mi | 9,000 ft | Chatsworth, Georgia | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/cohutta-gravel-grinder/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/cohutta-gravel-grinder.md

100-mile Georgia mountain gravel through Cohutta Wilderness. Mountain gravel for 100 miles. Signature challenge: 100 miles with 9000 feet of mountain climbing through Cohutta Wilderness. Cohutta Gravel Grinder is a 100-mile mountain gravel race through north Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness—significant climbing with wilderness scenery. The organization is solid, and the Georgia reputation is decent. However, it's a regional field, keeping it in Tier 3. Chatsworth provides moderate access. The 100 miles and 9000 feet of climbing are serious challenges. If you want a 100-mile mountain challenge with significant climbing—yes, it's a solid event. If you want pro field depth or cooler conditions—look elsewhere. Non-negotiables: Century mountain endurance; Mountain climbing fitness; Heat preparation

### Finnish Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 110 mi | 2,129 ft | Lahti, Paijanne Tavastia, Finland | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/finnish-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/finnish-gravel.md

F1 glamour meets Nordic gravel in a UNESCO Geopark—premium experience, premium price tag, unique bucket-list appeal. Fast, flowing Finnish gravel through UNESCO Geopark terrain. Well-maintained gravel roads, lakeside routes, and Nordic ski paths create a high-speed experience rather than a technical challenge. The continuous undulations and steep kickers separate riders, but this is racing, not survival. Riders average 35 kph on the twisting ski path sections. Signature challenge: Not one killer climb, but the relentless accumulation of steep kickers and undulations that 'will separate' riders. Plus the bugs at every stop. FNLD GRVL is what happens when an F1 driver falls in love with gravel. It's not the most challenging course or the deepest pro field, but for a unique Nordic cultural experience wrapped in top-tier event production, it delivers. The midnight sun, the UNESCO Geopark, the Finnish hospitality, and the SBT GRVL pedigree create something genuinely special. Yes if you want a unique Nordic cultural experience with top-tier event production. Yes if you're an F1/Bottas fan. Skip if you're chasing big climbing or watching your budget. International travelers should weigh the high costs against the unique experience.

### Gran Fondo Badlands
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 101 mi | 2,870 ft | Drumheller, Alberta, Canada | July | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-badlands/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-badlands.md

A well-organized, scenic road cycling celebration of Alberta's badlands landscape that delivers excellent value and community atmosphere for riders of all abilities seeking a memorable weekend adventure. A scenic road cycling journey through Alberta's iconic badlands landscape, featuring rolling prairie terrain, dramatic hoodoo formations, a memorable ferry crossing of the Red Deer River, and short but challenging hill climbs. The route celebrates the Dinosaur Valley's unique geological and cultural heritage while offering well-supported riding through picturesque river valleys and historic villages. Signature challenge: The Ferry Hill Climb: a 1km timed ascent immediately following the scenic Red Deer River ferry crossing, which all riders complete and which determines the King and Queen of the Mountain awards for each distance category

### Gravel Tour Hlinsko
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 80.2 mi | 5,174 ft | Hlinsko, Pardubice Region, Czechia | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-tour-hlinsko/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-tour-hlinsko.md

Czech forest gravel in two acts: 86 rolling kilometres, then a second loop for anyone still racing. An 86 km rolling main loop through the Iron Mountains and Žďárské Vrchy, followed by a 43 km second loop for elite and younger categories. Signature challenge: Crossing the start-finish corridor after 86 km and beginning the second loop at race effort instead of mentally finishing early. An 86 km rolling main loop through the Iron Mountains and Žďárské Vrchy, followed by a 43 km second loop for elite and younger categories. Crossing the start-finish corridor after 86 km and beginning the second loop at race effort instead of mentally finishing early. Race Gravel Tour Hlinsko if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: 86 km mandatory main loop; 43 km second loop; 1,577 m total climbing

### Gravel Weekend Tukums
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 87 mi | — | Tukums, Latvia | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-weekend-tukums/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gravel-weekend-tukums.md

Latvia's gravel festival is 91 percent dirt, sold out, and rolling almost every kilometre. A fast but never flat 140 km Latvian route with only 12 km of pavement, shifting among hardpack, narrow forest roads, farm tracks, sand, loose gravel, and two short singletrack sections. Signature challenge: Maintaining speed through endless two- and three-minute rollers without wasting energy every time the road narrows or changes surface. A fast but never flat 140 km Latvian route with only 12 km of pavement, shifting among hardpack, narrow forest roads, farm tracks, sand, loose gravel, and two short singletrack sections. Maintaining speed through endless two- and three-minute rollers without wasting energy every time the road narrows or changes surface. Race Gravel Weekend Tukums if its verified terrain and UCI stakes match your goal; wait for the organizer's next-edition package before buying travel around an unconfirmed date. Non-negotiables: Only 12 km pavement; Continuous short rollers; Two short singletrack sectors

### Kindling
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 188.3 mi | 12,369 ft | Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/kindling/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/kindling.md

A high-potential Karoo stage race whose training product needs a true multi-day model. Three consecutive point-to-point gravel stages: two climbing-heavy days into and around Blaauwater Burn Camp, then a faster return to Graaff-Reinet. Signature challenge: Recovering well enough between three stages to preserve power and decision-making on day three. Kindling is not a sportive wearing race graphics. It is three timed gravel stages, two nights at a remote Burn Camp, and enough climbing on days one and two to make the seemingly gentler final 90 km matter. The event comes from the Gravel Burn ecosystem, but its first edition was postponed and the website has not fully scrubbed the old 2026 copy. Yes if you want supported stage racing and remote-camp atmosphere without committing to a full week. Non-negotiables: Three-day training block; Rapid recovery routine; Stage-one restraint

### Transcordilleras
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 120 mi | 15,000 ft | Colombian Andes, Colombia | — | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/transcordilleras/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/transcordilleras.md

Colombian Andes mountain gravel adventure. Colombian Andes mountain gravel. Signature challenge: Colombian Andes extreme mountainous terrain at altitude. Transcordilleras is a regional event in Colombian Andes—extreme mountainous terrain with massive elevation at high altitude. The Colombian Andes are stunning, but the difficult/expensive access, extreme altitude, and regional field keep it firmly in Tier 3. If you have a big budget and want an extreme Colombian experience—maybe. For most riders—there are better options. Non-negotiables: Altitude training; Mountain endurance; Budget planning

### WYO 131
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 131 mi | 7,500 ft | Lander, Wyoming | September | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/wyo-131/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/wyo-131.md

Regional Wyoming ultra-distance through mountain and high desert. Mix of mountain and high desert terrain through Wyoming wilderness. Signature challenge: 131-mile ultra-distance at high altitude through Wyoming wilderness. WYO 131 offers a genuine ultra-distance challenge—131 miles through Wyoming mountain and high desert terrain. It's a well-organized regional ultra event with good support, but the field is regional and it's remote central Wyoming. The adventure of riding through Wind River Range country is the main appeal, along with the ultra-distance challenge. If you're in Wyoming or the Rockies and want an ultra-distance challenge—yes, it's a well-organized event with genuine wilderness appeal. If you're traveling from far away—there are more prestigious ultra events elsewhere. Non-negotiables: Ultra-distance endurance; Altitude preparation; Pacing discipline

### Yangyang Gran Fondo
Tier 2 | Score: 61/100 | 93 mi | 6,800 ft | Yangyang, Gangwon-do, South Korea | October | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/yangyang-gran-fondo/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/yangyang-gran-fondo.md

A scenic Korean coastal-to-mountain gran fondo showcasing Gangwon Province's autumn beauty.

### Bighorn Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 85 mi | 10,000 ft | Gypsum, Colorado | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bighorn-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/bighorn-gravel.md

Regional Colorado mountain gravel with high altitude and significant climbing near Vail. Mountain gravel with significant climbing at high altitude. Signature challenge: 10,000 feet of climbing at 6,300-11,000 feet altitude. Bighorn Gravel offers a genuine Colorado mountain gravel challenge with high altitude and significant climbing. Gypsum is a small town near Vail with basic amenities. The course is challenging with 10,000 feet of climbing at 6,300-11,000 feet elevation. It's a well-organized regional event with a moderate field. The main appeal is the mountain setting near Vail and altitude challenge. If you're in Colorado or the Front Range and want a mountain gravel challenge—yes, it's a well-organized event with genuine altitude and climbing. If you're traveling from far away—there are more prestigious mountain events elsewhere. Non-negotiables: Altitude preparation; Climbing strength; Thunderstorm awareness

### Gran Fondo Curacavi
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 75 mi | 4,500 ft | Curacavi, Valparaiso Region, Chile | April | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-curacavi/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/gran-fondo-curacavi.md

A solid regional gran fondo offering pleasant wine country scenery and moderate climbing for recreational Chilean cyclists seeking community-focused riding.

### Okanagan Graveller
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 74.6 mi | — | West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/okanagan-graveller/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/okanagan-graveller.md

A 120 km Okanagan mountain-gravel race where sustained climbing, backcountry fueling, and late loose-surface descending decide the day. A mountainous forest-service-road race from Telemark Nordic Club with a climbing-heavy flagship distance and fast backcountry descents. Signature challenge: Pacing a climbing-heavy 120 km mountain route without a finalized profile yet. Telemark Nordic Club gives this race a much sharper identity than a generic valley gravel ride: 120 km of long forest-road climbs, rugged backcountry, fast gravel descents, timed results, and real podium categories. The stable demands are specific enough to train now. The page currently contradicts itself on the Boulder elevation, so the plan and guide leave exact gain and route execution to the promised final maps. Yes if you want a community-forward mountain gravel weekend in British Columbia. The date, venue, distance, climbing-heavy character, support model, and cutoff are firm enough to prepare for; verify the final map and gain before race week. Non-negotiables: Sustained climbing durability; Backcountry fueling rehearsal; Loose-descent control

### THE EQUALIZER - Missouri State Championship
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 62 mi | 3,786 ft | Marthasville, Missouri | November | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-equalizer/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/the-equalizer.md

Missouri's state championship is a cold-morning rollers grind through wine country that finds out whose fitness survived the fall. Rolling Missouri River Valley terrain. Roughly 3,800 ft over 62 miles = constant ups and downs, no sustained climbs. Mix of smooth gravel county roads (85%) and paved connectors (15%). Terrain is rolling but not extreme. Cold November mornings and late-season fitness are the defining challenge. Signature challenge: The constant rollers, not one single climb. 3,800 feet arrives in dozens of short punches with no flat mile to recover on, and by November most of the field is riding on fading late-season fitness. THE EQUALIZER is Missouri's state gravel championship--62 miles through wine country on the first Saturday of November. The course is rolling but not brutal (3,786 ft, constant ups and downs, no mountain climbs). The challenge is cold-start pacing and late-season fitness, not heat: mornings are cold, daylight is short, and most of the field hasn't raced hard since summer. The wine country setting is scenic, and Missouri gravel is smooth compared to mountain states. State championship brings some fast racers, but the field is mostly recreational (200-300 riders). St. Louis airport is about an hour away, making travel easy. Marthasville is small, but nearby St. Charles has lodging. This is an emerging Midwest gravel scene event--not iconic, but solid. If you can handle 95°F with 80% humidity while grinding constant rollers for six hours, this is solid Midwest racing. The course won't break you—smooth gravel, manageable elevation—but November cold will punish anyone who shows up dressed for September. Perfect for riders wanting state championship bragging rights without the technical demands of mountain races.

### Truckee Tahoe Gravel
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 66 mi | 4,604 ft | Truckee, California | June | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/truckee-tahoe-gravel/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/truckee-tahoe-gravel.md

California Sierra Nevada/Tahoe gravel in Truckee. The current medium course is 66.2 miles, 84% gravel and 16% paved, with organizer-published aid stations at miles 17, 25, 32, 45, and 55. Signature challenge: A 66-mile Sierra course that is 84% gravel, starting near 5,800 feet above sea level. Truckee Tahoe Gravel (founded as Peter Sagan's Sagan Fondo) is a regional event in Truckee, California—Sierra Nevada/Tahoe mountain terrain with significant elevation and altitude. Named after Peter Sagan, it has good organization and the Tahoe/Sierra setting is spectacular. However, the regional field and California costs keep it in Tier 3. Truckee provides good access. If you're in California or visiting Tahoe—yes, it's a solid event with spectacular terrain. If you're from out of state—consider the costs and regional field. Non-negotiables: Mountain climbing endurance; Altitude preparation; Mountain pacing at altitude

### Vuelta Altas Cumbres
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 75 mi | 6,330 ft | Villa Cura Brochero, Córdoba Province, Argentina | March | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/vuelta-altas-cumbres/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/vuelta-altas-cumbres.md

Sierras de Córdoba mountain gravel challenge. Sierras de Córdoba mountain gravel through the Traslasierra Valley. Signature challenge: Sierras de Córdoba mountainous terrain at altitude, cresting the Pampa de Achala high plateau. Vuelta Altas Cumbres is a regional event in the Sierras de Córdoba (Traslasierra Valley)—mountainous terrain with meaningful elevation at high altitude. The Sierras de Córdoba are stunning, but the difficult/expensive international access, extreme altitude, and regional field keep it firmly in Tier 3. If you have a big budget and want an extreme Argentine experience—maybe. For most riders—there are better options. Non-negotiables: Altitude training; Mountain endurance; Budget planning

### Wasatch All-Road
Tier 2 | Score: 60/100 | 82 mi | 10,560 ft | Heber City, Utah | August | gravel
Profile: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/wasatch-all-road/
Markdown: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/wasatch-all-road.md

Regional Utah mountain gravel with high altitude and significant climbing in Wasatch Range. The organizer-published Bigfoot flagship is 82 miles with 10,560 feet of gain and 77% gravel on the western slope of the Uinta Range. Signature challenge: 10,560 feet of climbing from a start near 5,800 feet, with the current route reaching approximately 10,068 feet on the Uinta western slope. Wasatch All-Road offers a genuine mountain gravel challenge with high altitude and massive climbing in the beautiful Wasatch Range. Heber City is a resort-adjacent town with proximity to Park City and Salt Lake City, providing good access and amenities. The course is challenging with 10,560 feet of climbing from a 5,600-foot start. It's a well-organized regional event with a moderate field. If you're in Utah or the Wasatch Front and want a mountain gravel challenge—yes, it's a well-organized event with genuine altitude and climbing. If you're traveling from far away—there are more prestigious mountain events elsewhere. Non-negotiables: Altitude preparation; Climbing strength; Thunderstorm awareness

## Tier 3 & Tier 4 Races (212 races)

Each race's Markdown mirror is at https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/{slug}.md — the Slug column below gives {slug}.

| Name | Slug | Tier | Score | Distance | Elevation | Location | Month | Discipline |
|------|------|------|-------|----------|-----------|----------|-------|------------|
| Gravel Bogotá | gravel-bogota | 3 | 60 | 80 mi | 6,188 ft | Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia | August | gravel |
| Bend Dirt Fest | bend-dirt-fest | 3 | 59 | 54.7 mi | 4,016 ft | Bend, Oregon | July | gravel |
| Croatan Buck Fifty | croatan-buck-fifty | 3 | 59 | 139 mi | — | Swansboro, North Carolina | March | gravel |
| Crooked Gravel | crooked-gravel | 3 | 59 | 67 mi | 5,600 ft | Winter Park, Colorado | August | gravel |
| Dirty Sheets Gravel Grind | dirty-sheets-gravel-grind | 3 | 59 | 100 mi | 6,815 ft | Serenbe, Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia | October | gravel |
| Hazel Valley Rally | hazel-valley-rally | 3 | 59 | 62.5 mi | 5,933 ft | Washington County, Arkansas | April | gravel |
| La Épica Gravel Grinder | la-epica-gravel-grinder | 3 | 59 | 175.2 mi | — | Ponce, Puerto Rico | March | gravel |
| MAAP Beechworth Granite Classic | maap-beechworth-granite-classic | 3 | 59 | 71 mi | 4,600 ft | Beechworth, Victoria | April | gravel |
| Marji Gesick | marji-gesick | 3 | 59 | 100 mi | 6,000 ft | Marquette, Michigan | September | gravel |
| Pony Xpress | pony-xpress | 3 | 59 | 100 mi | 7,300 ft | Cokedale, Colorado | May | gravel |
| R3G3 | r3g3 | 3 | 59 | 104.2 mi | 8,909 ft | Griffith, Ontario, Canada | May | gravel |
| Red Granite Grinder | red-granite-grinder | 3 | 59 | 150 mi | — | Athens, Wisconsin (Central Wisconsin) | October | gravel |
| Wyścig Niepołomice | wyscig-niepolomice | 3 | 59 | 61.5 mi | 889 ft | Niepołomice, Małopolska, Poland | September | gravel |
| Coast to Coast | coast-to-coast | 3 | 57 | 204 mi | 6,500 ft | Au Gres to Ludington, Michigan | June | gravel |
| The Gravel of Marathon | gravel-of-marathon | 3 | 57 | 75.2 mi | 6,627 ft | Marathon, Attica, Greece | November | gravel |
| Iceman Cometh | iceman-cometh | 3 | 57 | 30 mi | 2,000 ft | Kalkaska, Michigan | November | gravel |
| Nanaimo Unpaved | nanaimo-unpaved | 3 | 57 | 68.8 mi | — | Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | June | gravel |
| Reliance Tennessee Gravel | reliance-tennessee-gravel | 3 | 57 | 70 mi | 8,100 ft | Reliance, Tennessee | April | gravel |
| Toppling Goliath Gravel Grinder | toppling-goliath-gravel-grinder | 3 | 57 | 62 mi | 3,500 ft | Decorah, Iowa | October | gravel |
| TransRockies Gravel Royale | transrockies-gravel-royale | 3 | 57 | 200 mi | 20,000 ft | British Columbia, Canada | August | gravel |
| West Coast Slugger | west-coast-slugger | 3 | 57 | 76.4 mi | — | Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada | May | gravel |
| Ardenne Gravel Stages | ardenne-gravel-stages | 3 | 56 | 165 mi | 14,009 ft | Vielsalm, Gouvy, and Baraque Fraiture, Belgium | — | gravel |
| BalatonFondo | balatonfondo | 3 | 56 | 55 mi | 2,000 ft | Lake Balaton, Hungary | May | gravel |
| Belgian Waffle Ride Kansas | belgian-waffle-ride-kansas | 3 | 56 | 111 mi | 8,000 ft | Lawrence, Kansas | — | gravel |
| CIRREM | cirrem | 3 | 56 | 62 mi | — | Cumming, Iowa | February | gravel |
| Gravel Worlds Amateur | gravel-worlds-amateur | 3 | 56 | 150 mi | 3,500 ft | Lincoln, Nebraska | August | gravel |
| Haute Route Gravel | haute-route-gravel | 3 | 56 | 350 mi | 30,000 ft | Various Europe | August | gravel |
| La Resistance | la-resistance | 3 | 56 | 81 mi | 7,100 ft | Talloires, France | September | gravel |
| Noosa Gravel Enduro | noosa-gravel-enduro | 3 | 56 | 69 mi | 5,243 ft | Noosa Hinterland, Queensland | June | gravel |
| Sasquatch Duro | sasquatch-duro | 3 | 56 | 67 mi | 4,976 ft | Carlton, Oregon | April | gravel |
| Spotted Horse Ultra | spotted-horse-ultra | 3 | 56 | 150 mi | 8,000 ft | Iowa | October | gravel |
| Tour de Nebraska | tour-de-nebraska | 3 | 56 | 250 mi | 3,500 ft | Southwest Nebraska (Curtis, Elwood, Cambridge, McCook) | June | gravel |
| Trans Iowa | trans-iowa | 3 | 56 | 320 mi | 9,000 ft | Checkpoint, Iowa | April | gravel |
| Battenkill | battenkill | 3 | 54 | 63 mi | — | Cambridge, New York | May | gravel |
| Cowichan Crusher Gravel Fondo | cowichan-crusher-gravel-fondo | 3 | 54 | 59 mi | 4,500 ft | Mesachie Lake, British Columbia | May | gravel |
| D2R2 | d2r2 | 3 | 54 | 71 mi | 8,000 ft | Greenfield, Massachusetts | August | gravel |
| Devils Cardigan | devils-cardigan | 3 | 54 | 66 mi | 7,545 ft | Derby, Tasmania | June | gravel |
| Edition Zero | edition-zero | 3 | 54 | 154 mi | 11,500 ft | Waimate, New Zealand | November | gravel |
| Filthy 50 | filthy-50 | 3 | 54 | 50.9 mi | 3,251 ft | Lanesboro, Minnesota | October | gravel |
| UCI Gravel Chile | gravel-chile | 3 | 54 | 62.1 mi | 2,182 ft | Lago Ranco, Los Ríos Region, Chile | October | gravel |
| Karukinka | karukinka | 3 | 54 | 120 mi | 10,000 ft | Tierra del Fuego, Chile | February | gravel |
| Oregon Coast Gravel Epic | oregon-coast-gravel-epic | 3 | 54 | 62 mi | 6,733 ft | Waldport, Oregon | April | gravel |
| River City Gravel Fondo | river-city-gravel-fondo | 3 | 54 | 71 mi | 4,000 ft | Campbell River, British Columbia | April | gravel |
| Ruby Roubaix | ruby-roubaix | 3 | 54 | 62 mi | 4,365 ft | Lamoille, Nevada | June | gravel |
| The InSayner | the-insayner | 3 | 54 | 25 mi | — | Sayner, Wisconsin | June | mtb |
| The Range | the-range | 3 | 54 | 76 mi | 5,269 ft | Claresholm, Alberta | July | gravel |
| Carpathian Gravel | carpathian-gravel | 3 | 53 | 65 mi | 5,500 ft | Carpathian Mountains, Romania | July | gravel |
| Dirty Hector - New York State Championship | dirty-hector | 3 | 53 | 40 mi | 3,500 ft | Trumansburg, New York | May | gravel |
| Fools Gold Gravel Grinder | fools-gold-gravel-grinder | 3 | 53 | 65 mi | 6,000 ft | Dahlonega, Georgia | September | gravel |
| Glengarry Games Gravel Run | glengarry-games-gravel-run | 3 | 53 | 70.8 mi | — | Maxville, Ontario, Canada | August | gravel |
| Gran Fondo Ozarks | gran-fondo-ozarks | 3 | 53 | 65 mi | 6,000 ft | Eureka Springs, Arkansas | March | gravel |
| Gravel Suisse | gravel-suisse | 3 | 53 | 65 mi | 5,500 ft | Aigle, Switzerland | July | gravel |
| Grinduro Italy | grinduro-italy | 3 | 53 | 62 mi | 4,921 ft | Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy | September | gravel |
| Homegrown Gravel Adventure | homegrown-gravel-adventure | 3 | 53 | 100 mi | 8,500 ft | Franklin, Georgia | February | gravel |
| Kettle Mettle | kettle-mettle | 3 | 53 | 62 mi | 5,889 ft | Princeton, British Columbia, Canada | June | gravel |
| King Price Race to Sun | king-price-race-to-sun | 3 | 53 | 250 mi | 20,000 ft | South Africa | May | gravel |
| Wörthersee Gravel Race | worthersee-gravel-race | 3 | 53 | 93 mi | 5,620 ft | Velden am Wörthersee, Austria | April | gravel |
| Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race | barry-roubaix | 3 | 51 | 62 mi | 4,000 ft | Hastings, Michigan | April | gravel |
| Cheaha Challenge | cheaha-challenge | 3 | 51 | 65 mi | 6,000 ft | Jacksonville, Alabama | May | gravel |
| GRUSK | grusk | 3 | 51 | 82 mi | 6,000 ft | Circleville, West Virginia | July | gravel |
| Hot Springs Gravel Gauntlet | hot-springs-gravel-gauntlet | 3 | 51 | 61 mi | 6,616 ft | Hot Springs, North Carolina | May | gravel |
| Iron Cross | iron-cross | 3 | 51 | 60 mi | 4,500 ft | Pennsylvania | October | gravel |
| Little Apple 100 | little-apple-100 | 3 | 51 | 62 mi | 3,000 ft | Manhattan, Illinois | August | gravel |
| Lost and Found Gravel | lost-and-found-gravel | 3 | 51 | 99 mi | 5,946 ft | Portola, California | June | gravel |
| Niseko Gravel | niseko-gravel | 3 | 51 | 62 mi | 5,580 ft | Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan | September | gravel |
| Ouachita Challenge | ouachita-challenge | 3 | 51 | 65 mi | 6,000 ft | Mount Ida, Arkansas | March | gravel |
| Race to Valhalla | race-to-valhalla | 3 | 51 | 72 mi | 7,300 ft | Walhalla, South Carolina | April | gravel |
| Santa Fe Century Gravelón | santa-fe-century-gravelon | 3 | 51 | 54 mi | 2,850 ft | Rowe Mesa, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico | May | gravel |
| Sea Otter Europe Gravel | sea-otter-europe-gravel | 3 | 51 | 68 mi | 3,084 ft | Juià / Girona, Catalonia, Spain | September | gravel |
| The Divide | the-divide | 3 | 51 | 52 mi | 4,500 ft | Manton, Michigan, United States | July | gravel |
| Trans-Sylvania Gravel Epic | trans-sylvania-epic | 3 | 51 | 225 mi | 15,000 ft | Pennsylvania | May | gravel |
| Uwharrie Forest Gravel Grinder | uwharrie-forest-gravel-grinder | 3 | 51 | 55 mi | 4,292 ft | Troy, North Carolina (Badin Lake, Uwharrie National Forest) | February | gravel |
| Waucheesi Bike Race | waucheesi-bike-race | 3 | 51 | 88 mi | 11,500 ft | Tellico Plains, Tennessee | March | gravel |
| Berryman Epic | berryman-epic | 3 | 50 | 50 mi | 5,400 ft | Potosi, Missouri | October | gravel |
| Gravel Battle of Sumter Forest | gravel-battle-of-sumter-forest | 3 | 50 | 73 mi | 4,481 ft | Whitmire, South Carolina | March | gravel |
| Hellhole Gravel Grind Stage Race | hellhole-gravel-grind | 3 | 50 | 150 mi | — | Jamestown, South Carolina | October | gravel |
| Hungry Bear 100 | hungry-bear-100 | 3 | 50 | 100 mi | 5,000 ft | Cable, Wisconsin | May | gravel |
| Reliance Deep Woods | reliance-deep-woods | 3 | 50 | 70 mi | 8,100 ft | Tennessee | April | gravel |
| Rooted Vermont | rooted-vermont | 3 | 50 | 75 mi | 5,000 ft | Morrisville, Vermont | July | gravel |
| Safari Gravel Race | safari-gravel-race | 3 | 50 | 69 mi | 8,202 ft | Sulmac Village, Lake Naivasha, Kenya | June | gravel |
| Salida 76 | salida-76 | 3 | 50 | 76 mi | 7,000 ft | Salida, Colorado | September | gravel |
| Spirit World 100 | spirit-world-100 | 3 | 50 | 102 mi | 6,392 ft | Patagonia, Arizona | November | gravel |
| UCI Gravel Dustman | uci-gravel-dustman | 3 | 50 | 81 mi | 2,756 ft | Kanchanaburi, Thailand (Muang Sing Historical Park) | November | gravel |
| Wild Horse Gravel | wild-horse-gravel | 3 | 50 | 100 mi | — | De Beque, Colorado (High Lonesome Ranch Basecamp) | May | gravel |
| Wish One Millau | wish-one-millau | 3 | 50 | 81 mi | 8,200 ft | Millau, Aveyron, France (Grands Causses) | June | gravel |
| Alentejo Gravel | alentejo-gravel | 3 | 49 | 74 mi | 5,741 ft | Ourique, Alentejo, Portugal | October | gravel |
| Bear Howard Gravel | bear-howard-gravel | 3 | 49 | 60 mi | 6,000 ft | Flagstaff, Arizona | August | gravel |
| Big Sky Gravel | big-sky-gravel | 3 | 49 | 100 mi | 6,000 ft | Red Lodge, Montana | August | gravel |
| Dead Swede Gravel | dead-swede-gravel | 3 | 49 | 100 mi | 7,671 ft | Sheridan, Wyoming (Kendrick Park) | June | gravel |
| Eislek Gravel | eislek-gravel | 3 | 49 | 68 mi | 8,760 ft | Vianden, Luxembourg | June | gravel |
| Leuven Legacy Gravel | flanders-legacy-gravel | 3 | 49 | 82 mi | 2,887 ft | Leuven / Heverlee, Flemish Brabant, Belgium | October | gravel |
| Gravel Grit 'n Grind | gravel-grit-n-grind | 3 | 49 | 83 mi | 3,926 ft | Halmstad, Sweden | August | gravel |
| Hell of Hunterdon | hell-of-hunterdon | 3 | 49 | 75 mi | 4,000 ft | Hunterdon County, New Jersey | March | gravel |
| Houffa Gravel | houffa-gravel | 3 | 49 | 86 mi | 7,185 ft | Houffalize, Belgian Ardennes | August | gravel |
| King of the Lake | king-of-the-lake | 3 | 49 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | Lake Constance, Germany | September | gravel |
| La Drômoise Gravel | la-dromoise-gravel | 3 | 49 | 43 mi | 4,921 ft | Die, Drôme, France | September | gravel |
| Lauf Gritfest | lauf-gritfest | 3 | 49 | 65 mi | 6,000 ft | Cambrian Mountains, Wales | June | gravel |
| Pony Express 120 | pony-express-120 | 3 | 49 | 120 mi | 4,000 ft | Marysville, Kansas | September | gravel |
| Dirty Deluxe Dirt Road Century | standard-deluxe-dirt-road-century | 3 | 49 | 100 mi | — | Opelika, Alabama | May | gravel |
| Texas Hell Week | texas-hell-week | 3 | 49 | 200 mi | 8,000 ft | Warda, Texas | March | gravel |
| Veneto Gravel | veneto-gravel | 3 | 49 | 65 mi | 4,500 ft | Asolo, Veneto, Italy | November | gravel |
| 114 Gravel Race | 114-gravel-race | 3 | 47 | 85 mi | 3,386 ft | Portugal | March | gravel |
| Back Forty Highlander | back-forty-highlander | 3 | 47 | 62 mi | 3,500 ft | Mississippi Station, Ontario | September | gravel |
| Border Wars | border-wars | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | GA/AL border | April | gravel |
| BURGR 95 | burgr-95 | 3 | 47 | 95 mi | 4,000 ft | Gleason, Wisconsin | July | gravel |
| Burnt Bridge Classic | burnt-bridge-classic | 3 | 47 | 62 mi | 3,200 ft | Cowichan Valley, British Columbia | June | gravel |
| Castellon Gravel Race | castellon-gravel-race | 3 | 47 | 60 mi | 5,000 ft | Castellon, Spain | February | gravel |
| Chino Grinder | chino-grinder | 3 | 47 | 63 mi | 3,600 ft | Chino Valley, Arizona | October | gravel |
| Farmer's Daughter | farmers-daughter | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | New York | May | gravel |
| Garmin Gravel Worlds | garmin-gravel-worlds | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 3,000 ft | Lincoln, Nebraska | August | gravel |
| Gravel One Fifty | gravel-one-fifty | 3 | 47 | 93 mi | 800 ft | Roden, Drenthe, Netherlands | April | gravel |
| Gravelista | gravelista | 3 | 47 | 86 mi | 5,740 ft | Victoria, Australia | October | gravel |
| Hegau Gravel Race | hegau-gravel-race | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | Singen, Germany | July | gravel |
| KowTown Gravel | kowtown-gravel | 3 | 47 | 88 mi | — | Kremmling, Colorado | June | gravel |
| Lone Wolf Gravel | lone-wolf-gravel | 3 | 47 | 62 mi | 4,000 ft | Iron Mountain, Michigan | September | gravel |
| Montana Gravel Challenge | montana-gravel-challenge | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 4,800 ft | Huson, MT | October | gravel |
| Opelika Okey Dokey | opelika-okey-dokey | 3 | 47 | 75 mi | 3,000 ft | Opelika, Alabama | May | gravel |
| Purgatory Road Race | purgatory-road-race | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | Fredericksburg, Texas | April | gravel |
| Rad am Ring Gravel | rad-am-ring-gravel | 3 | 47 | 62 mi | 7,218 ft | Nürburg, Germany | July | gravel |
| Serenissima Gravel | serenissima-gravel | 3 | 47 | 47 mi | 2,000 ft | Venice, Italy | October | gravel |
| Switchgrass | switchgrass | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | Leonardville, Kansas | April | gravel |
| The GRiT Adventure | the-grit-adventure | 3 | 47 | 65 mi | 5,500 ft | Snoqualmie Pass, WA | July | gravel |
| Unravel Gravel (VA State Championship) | unravel-gravel-va | 3 | 47 | 60 mi | 4,500 ft | Cumberland, VA | September | gravel |
| Wollombi Gravel Fest | wollombi-gravel-fest | 3 | 47 | 62 mi | 3,500 ft | Wollombi Valley, New South Wales | December | gravel |
| Bohemian Border Bash | bohemian-border-bash | 3 | 46 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | Czech Republic | September | gravel |
| Canmore Crux | canmore-crux | 3 | 46 | 60 mi | 5,000 ft | Canmore, Alberta, Canada | June | gravel |
| Dusty Bandita | dusty-bandita | 3 | 46 | 65 mi | 4,500 ft | Ovando, Montana | June | gravel |
| Essential Gravel | essential-gravel | 3 | 46 | 65 mi | 3,000 ft | Ringle, Wisconsin | June | gravel |
| Ghost of the Gravel | ghost-of-the-gravel | 3 | 46 | 100 mi | 3,000 ft | Alberta, Canada | June | gravel |
| Gravel Fever | gravel-fever | 3 | 46 | 96.4 mi | 4,996 ft | Châtellerault, France | — | gravel |
| Gravel Revival | gravel-revival | 3 | 46 | 68 mi | 3,000 ft | Hickman County, Tennessee | October | gravel |
| Gravel Roll - Pecan Shaker | gravel-roll-pecan-shaker | 3 | 46 | 75 mi | 3,000 ft | Hawkinsville, Georgia | October | gravel |
| Heathland Gravel | heathland-gravel | 3 | 46 | 65 mi | 3,500 ft | Belgium | August | gravel |
| Holly Shelter Gravel Grinder | holly-shelter-gravel-grinder | 3 | 46 | 75 mi | 1,500 ft | Southeast North Carolina (Holly Shelter Game Land) | March | gravel |
| Marly Grav | marly-grav | 3 | 46 | 93 mi | 4,890 ft | Valkenburg, South Limburg, Netherlands | May | gravel |
| Pickerel Buck40 | pickerel-buck40 | 3 | 46 | 40 mi | 2,500 ft | Wisconsin | June | gravel |
| The Crusher | the-crusher | 3 | 46 | 62 mi | 4,000 ft | Upper Peninsula, Michigan | July | gravel |
| Tor Divide | tor-divide | 3 | 46 | 60 mi | 5,000 ft | Peak District, UK | May | gravel |
| Tour de Gap | tour-de-gap | 3 | 46 | 65 mi | 3,000 ft | Fulton, Mississippi | July | gravel |
| Turnhout Gravel | turnhout-gravel | 3 | 46 | 70 mi | 3,500 ft | Turnhout, Belgium | August | gravel |
| Spring Valley Wilder 100 | spring-valley-100 | 4 | 47 | 102 mi | 5,174 ft | Spring Valley, Minnesota | May | gravel |
| Albia Holy Cow | albia-holy-cow | 4 | 44 | 60 mi | 3,258 ft | Albia, Iowa | July | gravel |
| Bear 100 | bear-100 | 4 | 44 | 103 mi | 3,500 ft | Laona, Wisconsin | May | gravel |
| Cow Pie Classic | cow-pie-classic | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 2,500 ft | Ionia, Michigan | June | gravel |
| Dirty Pecan | dirty-pecan | 4 | 44 | 40 mi | 800 ft | Florida | March | gravel |
| Fairfield Harvest Rush | fairfield-harvest-rush | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 3,000 ft | Fairfield, Iowa | October | gravel |
| Glenwood Gravel | glenwood-gravel | 4 | 44 | 60 mi | 2,400 ft | Glenwood, Iowa | August | gravel |
| Gravel Unravel - Bon Jon Pass Out | gravel-unravel-bon-jon-pass-out | 4 | 44 | 60 mi | 5,000 ft | Quilcene, WA | June | gravel |
| Gray Duck Grit | gray-duck-grit | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 3,000 ft | Cannon Falls, Minnesota | September | gravel |
| Hart Hills | hart-hills | 4 | 44 | 55 mi | 2,500 ft | Hart, Michigan | May | gravel |
| Lowell Classic | lowell-classic | 4 | 44 | 54 mi | 2,150 ft | Lowell, Michigan | October | gravel |
| Marys Mayhem | marys-mayhem | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 3,570 ft | Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia | October | gravel |
| Melting Mann | melting-mann | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 2,500 ft | Vandalia, Michigan | March | gravel |
| Real West Gravel | real-west-gravel | 4 | 44 | 67 mi | 4,020 ft | Pendleton, Oregon | March | gravel |
| Sunday Creek Classic | sunday-creek-classic | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 4,000 ft | Kenilworth, Queensland | May | gravel |
| Swamp Fox Gravel Fondo | swamp-fox-gravel-fondo | 4 | 44 | 65 mi | 1,500 ft | Francis Marion National Forest, South Carolina | March | gravel |
| The Mane Event Gravel | the-mane-event-gravel | 4 | 44 | 54 mi | 3,188 ft | Sheridan, WY | September | gravel |
| The Watermoo | the-watermoo | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 3,000 ft | Dexter, Michigan | August | gravel |
| Total Tomahawk Terrain | total-tomahawk-terrain | 4 | 44 | 62 mi | 3,000 ft | Tomahawk, Wisconsin | June | gravel |
| Waukon 100 | waukon-100 | 4 | 44 | 100 mi | 5,000 ft | Waukon, Iowa | June | gravel |
| West Coast Gravel | west-coast-gravel | 4 | 44 | 53 mi | 6,690 ft | Yachats, Oregon | April | gravel |
| Cedar Blitz | cedar-blitz | 4 | 43 | 50 mi | 3,000 ft | Cedar Springs, Michigan | July | gravel |
| De Ronde Van Grampian | de-ronde-van-grampian | 4 | 43 | 52 mi | 3,123 ft | Oxford, Michigan | August | gravel |
| Fast Fitty | fast-fitty | 4 | 43 | 50 mi | 1,800 ft | Charlotte, Michigan | August | gravel |
| Forbidden Gravel | forbidden-gravel | 4 | 43 | 68.4 mi | — | Cumberland, British Columbia, Canada | September | gravel |
| Galactic Grinder | galactic-grinder | 4 | 43 | 60 mi | 3,500 ft | Cedar Hill, New Mexico | April | gravel |
| Grassroots Gravel | grassroots-gravel | 4 | 43 | 75 mi | 3,900 ft | Pueblo, Colorado | October | gravel |
| Gravel Rocks | gravel-rocks | 4 | 43 | 55 mi | 4,000 ft | North York Moors, UK | July | gravel |
| Great Otway Gravel Grind | great-otway-gravel-grind | 4 | 43 | 66 mi | 9,022 ft | Forrest, Victoria, Australia | February | gravel |
| Hibernator 100 | hibernator | 4 | 43 | 103 mi | 3,398 ft | Laona, Wisconsin | October | gravel |
| Iowa State Gravel TT Championship | iowa-state-gravel-tt-championship | 4 | 43 | 40 mi | 1,500 ft | Amana, Iowa | September | gravel |
| North Wales Gravel X | north-wales-gravel-x | 4 | 43 | 50 mi | 4,000 ft | Ruthin, Wales, UK | April | gravel |
| Prairie Burn 100 | prairie-burn-100 | 4 | 43 | 100 mi | 3,500 ft | Grinnell, Iowa | June | gravel |
| Takelma Gravel Grinder | takelma-gravel-grinder | 4 | 43 | 55 mi | 4,500 ft | Canyonville, OR | June | gravel |
| Beaver Dam Gravel Grinder | beaver-dam-gravel-grinder | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 3,000 ft | Beaver Dam State Park, Nevada | June | gravel |
| Camp Michaux Gravel Grinder | camp-michaux-gravel-grinder | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 5,725 ft | Gardners, Pennsylvania | June | gravel |
| Clarkes Gambit | clarkes-gambit | 4 | 41 | 55 mi | 4,000 ft | Nelligen, New South Wales, Australia | August | gravel |
| Cowboy Crusher | cowboy-crusher | 4 | 41 | 60 mi | 3,500 ft | Glenrock, Wyoming | July | gravel |
| Dirty Dino | dirty-dino | 4 | 41 | 58 mi | 3,500 ft | Vernal, Utah | June | gravel |
| Gravel n Granite | gravel-and-granite | 4 | 41 | 56.5 mi | — | Tenterfield, New South Wales, Australia | March | gravel |
| Hardwood Hustle | hardwood-hustle | 4 | 41 | 62 mi | 3,000 ft | Nelma, Wisconsin | September | gravel |
| Heywood Ride | heywood-ride | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 2,000 ft | Northfield, Minnesota | May | gravel |
| JUST.GRAVEL | just-gravel | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 4,000 ft | Southern Lake District, UK | October | gravel |
| Mad Gravel | mad-gravel | 4 | 41 | 55 mi | 3,200 ft | Elbert, CO | September | gravel |
| Raid Rockingham | raid-rockingham | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 3,500 ft | SE New Hampshire | June | gravel |
| Salty Lizard | salty-lizard | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 2,800 ft | Wendover, UT | April | gravel |
| Silver City Century | silver-city-century | 4 | 41 | 100 mi | 3,000 ft | Silver City, Iowa | May | gravel |
| Soldier Cutoff Hillduro | soldier-cutoff-hillduro | 4 | 41 | 56 mi | 4,000 ft | Pisgah, Iowa | September | gravel |
| Trough Creek Gravel Grinder | trough-creek-gravel-grinder | 4 | 41 | 71.4 mi | 6,224 ft | Trough Creek State Park, Pennsylvania | September | gravel |
| Uncle John's Gravel Race | uncle-johns-gravel-race | 4 | 41 | 50 mi | 2,000 ft | St Johns, Michigan | September | gravel |
| Dalby Grit | dalby-grit | 4 | 40 | 68 mi | 3,500 ft | Dalby Forest, North York Moors, UK | June | gravel |
| Gravel Unravel - Why-Not-Chee | gravel-unravel-why-not-chee | 4 | 40 | 50 mi | 3,500 ft | Hoquiam, WA | July | gravel |
| Kalona Horseshoe | kalona-horseshoe | 4 | 40 | 50 mi | 2,000 ft | Kalona, Iowa | May | gravel |
| Mid-State Gravel Grinder | mid-state-gravel-grinder | 4 | 40 | 50 mi | 3,500 ft | Central Pennsylvania | August | gravel |
| Muck n Mac Fest | muck-n-mac-fest | 4 | 40 | 93.2 mi | — | Traquair House, Scotland, UK | May | gravel |
| Nicolet Hot Days | nicolet-hot-days | 4 | 40 | 50 mi | 2,500 ft | Wabeno, Wisconsin | August | gravel |
| Old Fashioned Gravel | old-fashioned-gravel | 4 | 40 | 67 mi | 4,000 ft | Hokah, Minnesota | October | gravel |
| Ottawa Valley Gravel Experience | ottawa-valley-gravel-experience | 4 | 40 | 55 mi | 2,500 ft | Calabogie, Ontario, Canada | April | gravel |
| Parker Dam Gravel Grinder | parker-dam-gravel-grinder | 4 | 40 | 50 mi | 3,500 ft | Clearfield County, Pennsylvania | May | gravel |
| Thunder Bay Thriller | thunder-bay-thriller | 4 | 40 | 50 mi | 2,000 ft | Alpena, Michigan | August | gravel |
| Wild Gravel | wild-gravel | 4 | 40 | 60 mi | 3,500 ft | Gnowangerup, Western Australia, Australia | October | gravel |
| Bald Eagle Gravel Grinder | bald-eagle-gravel-grinder | 4 | 39 | 31 mi | 3,500 ft | Lock Haven, Pennsylvania | April | gravel |
| Dunoon Dirt Dash | dunoon-dirt-dash | 4 | 39 | 45 mi | 3,000 ft | Dunoon, Scotland, UK | September | gravel |
| Dusty Gravel - Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure | dusty-gravel-lacs-de-leau-dheure | 4 | 39 | 50 mi | 3,000 ft | Cerfontaine, Belgium | April | gravel |
| Dusty Gravel Series - Andenne | dusty-gravel-series-andenne | 4 | 39 | 50 mi | 2,500 ft | Andenne, Belgium | April | gravel |
| Haldon Heroic | haldon-heroic | 4 | 39 | 50 mi | 3,500 ft | Haldon Forest, Devon, UK | April | gravel |
| OMG (Oxford MS Gravel) | omg-oxford-ms-gravel | 4 | 39 | 50 mi | 2,500 ft | Oxford, MS | January | gravel |
| Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash | yorkshire-coast-dirt-dash | 4 | 39 | 45 mi | 3,000 ft | Whitby, UK | June | gravel |
| Rose City Rampage Gravel Race | rose-city-rampage | 4 | 37 | 55 mi | 2,000 ft | Thomasville, GA | March | gravel |
| Rust Buster Gravel Fondo | rust-buster-gravel-fondo | 4 | 37 | 50 mi | 2,000 ft | Memphis, TN | April | gravel |
| Scratch Ankle Gravel | scratch-ankle-gravel | 4 | 36 | 45 mi | 1,500 ft | Milton, FL | March | gravel |
| Gravel Medellín | gravel-medellin | 4 | 29 | — | — | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia | — | gravel |

## Data Schema

Each race profile (JSON) contains:
- `race.name`, `race.slug`, `race.tagline`
- `race.vitals`: distance_mi, elevation_ft, location, date, terrain_types, field_size
- `race.gravel_god_rating`: overall_score, tier, 14 dimension scores, discipline
- `race.course_description`: character, suffering_zones, signature_challenge
- `race.terrain`: primary, surface, technical_rating, features
- `race.climate`: primary, description, challenges
- `race.logistics`: airport, lodging_strategy, official_site
- `race.history`: founded, origin_story, notable_moments
- `race.final_verdict`: one_liner, should_you_race, alternatives
- `race.non_negotiables`: training requirements with deadlines
- `race.citations`: source URLs
- `race.tire_recommendations`: primary tires, pressure tables

Access individual profiles at: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race/{slug}/
Machine-readable JSON index: https://gravelgodcycling.com/race-index.json
REST API: https://gravelgodcycling.com/api/v1/docs