Reputation: Regional MS event.
[01]
Course Overview
Holly Springs National Forest gravel through rolling Mississippi hill country.
50 mi
Distance
2,500 ft
Elevation
Oxford, MS
Location
January 11, 2026
Date
~75
Field Size
$65-85
Entry Cost
Facts & History
[03]
The Course
Photo: YouTube / BPC Performance Coaching
Photo: YouTube / BPC Performance CoachingMississippi hills gravel.
Signature challenge: Mississippi hills terrain.
15
MILE
Early Hills
First hill sections.
25
MILE
Midpoint
Halfway through the course.
40
MILE
Late Hills
Final hill sections before finish.
RIDERS REPORT
Opening climbs after start
Two substantial climbs right after the start. Hard right turn into gravel then immediate climbing - if you're not warmed up you'll be in trouble and playing chase.
20-22 mile climbs MI 20-22
Challenging climbs on the back side of the course after taking right-hand turns around mile 20 and again at the 22 mile mark.
Final climb to finish MI 42
Steep hill that the finish is positioned at the top of. You get back onto paved road around mile 42 then have to climb this final steep section to the finish.
Low-lying flat area near Baptist church
Narrow, muddy section in low-lying flat area near Baptist church where course dumps from paved road into gravel.
Very few flat portions with constant undulation. Fast downhills lead straight back into uphills throughout the course.
Course narrows significantly when transitioning from paved road to gravel sections.
[04]
From the Field
Right away if you are not warmed up you are going to be in trouble. Make sure you have a good warm up before this race starts or you may end up on your limit and playing chase.
BPC Performance Coaching · 152 views
This is a challenging course with nearly three thousand feet of elevation gain per lap. Very few flat portions of this course - it's going to be a lot of undulation, some faster downhills straight back into uphills.
BPC Performance Coaching · 152 views
It's gonna be some tough conditions, it's windy and it's cold and we're not used to that. I usually don't have to wear this much clothes and I don't even think that this is enough.
The Bicycle Rider · 2.5K views
We started off that morning below freezing in Mississippi. We've got a little bit of humidity here in Mississippi so those kind of numbers maybe in other states don't seem that cold but in Mississippi that cold gets to you.
The Bicycle Rider · 2.5K views
RACER
Racer Reviews
Raced OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)? Be the first to rate it.
[07]
Training
January 11, 2026 OMG (OXFORD MS GRAVEL)
[08]
Train for OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)
RACE DEMAND PROFILE
Durability
2
Climbing
4
VO2 Power
2
Threshold
5
Technical
4
Heat
3
Altitude
2
Race Specificity
3
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[09]
Race Logistics
Airport
Memphis (MEM) 90 minutes
Lodging
Oxford has lodging (college town). Book ahead.
Food
Oxford has excellent dining. Stock nutrition.
Packet Pickup
Day of typically
Parking
At start/finish
RIDERS REPORT
Make sure you have a good warm up before this race starts or you may end up on your limit with the immediate climbs after the start.
Don't trust the elevation profiles - climbs are more challenging than they appear on paper.
Sometimes you can't always look at the weather reports and gauge your race - just show up no matter what the weather.
[10]
Tire Picks
38mmMIXED
1
Specialized Pathfinder Pro
Fast center, grippy edges. The modern all-rounder benchmark.
2
Panaracer GravelKing SK
Affordable all-rounder. Light knobs add grip without killing speed.
3
Vittoria Terreno Mix
Graphene versatility. Mixed-terrain grip with reasonable rolling speed.
FRONT/REAR SPLIT Rene Herse Snoqualmie Pass 44mm / Specialized Pathfinder Pro 38mmFaster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
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Similar Races
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the climate like at OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)?
January weather proved memorable in 2021 when Bart Luther noted 'Having snowflakes in Mississippi was a bonus!' Multiple team DNFs in 2024 suggest conditions can turn challenging quickly. January timing avoids summer humidity but brings winter weather uncertainty to the Deep South. More weather exposure than Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego.[1]
How are the logistics for OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)?
Part of the Mississippi Gravel Cup series organized by Matt Roland, Jason Shearer, and Landon Voller with confirmed 2025 date of January 11. The 2021 event managed COVID protocols with masked riders in waves of 50, but specific details on parking, packet pickup, and start logistics remain unclear.[1]
How adventurous is OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)?
The 2021 race drew 'riders from all around Mississippi and even people from eight other states as far as Iowa and Colorado.' Holly Springs National Forest provides 'gorgeous forest views' through well-maintained gravel roads, offering scenic exploration without extreme technical challenges.[1]
How prestigious is OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)?
Opens the Mississippi Gravel Cup series with limited regional recognition. The 2021 field was capped at 160 riders due to COVID, and while the event draws some out-of-state participation, it remains largely invisible on the national gravel calendar.[1]
Should I race OMG (Oxford MS Gravel)?
If you're local to MS/Southeast—yes, it's solid. If you're traveling—skip it.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
- Community granfondoguide.com: B Laufwww.granfondoguide.com/Contents/Index/5842/oh-my-god-kick...
- Community webscorer.com: Resultswww.webscorer.com/results?raceid=339078&did=429275&gender=M
- Community webscorer.com: Racewww.webscorer.com/race?raceid=377672