VERDICT Small grassroots western Colorado high desert ride with remote location.
A training plan for Wild Horse Gravel—shaped to your fitness and the hours you have.
Private-ranch gravel through the Book Cliffs — roads closed to the public every other day of the year.
Inaugural 2019 edition run by Roll Massif on private High Lonesome Ranch roads in the Book Cliffs, western Colorado high desert; ownership has since passed through Outside Events to current organizer Gemini Adventures. Founded in 2019. By Roll Massif (org lineage: Roll Massif -> Outside Events -> Gemini Adventures, current organizer).
Reputation: Small regional western Colorado event, prized locally for one-day-a-year access to closed private ranch roads.
Photo: YouTube / Gravel Cyclist
Photo: YouTube / Gravel Cyclist[LEGACY 2026 LAYOUT — RETIRED as of the 2027 course change announced on geminiadventures.com; do not present as current] Gemini Adventures' Saturday race from High Lonesome Ranch Basecamp (~5,250ft — ALTITUDE RACE; venue, not De Beque town, is the right reference): Mustang 65mi/5,500ft (max 8,100ft) flagship, Gunslinger 46mi/4,000ft, Hoedown 30mi/3,000ft — single loops on private ranch roads closed to the public the rest of the year, through Book Cliffs canyon corridors, open rangeland, and high-desert mesas. 10-mile neutral rollout; staggered starts 8:00/8:30. Do NOT claim wild-horse herd sightings (unverified). PRIOR PROFILE 62mi/3,500ft matched nothing — corrected 2026-07-14. FOR 2027: Mustang is now 100mi, Gunslinger 75mi, Hoedown remains 30mi — full route/elevation detail not yet published by organizer as of 2026-07-16.
Signature challenge: Repeating Book Cliffs mesa climbs at altitude (5,250-8,100ft) on private ranch roads closed to the public the rest of the year.
Conditions were loose and rutted in places requiring a careful choice of one's line. The segment saved the best for last with a very steep climb finishing proceedings followed by another steep hill to reach the neutral water station.
Gravel Cyclist · 6.4K views
Barring the scenery of the high desert you will likely encounter all manner of critters including cows and wild horses. Wild Horse scramble isn't a race rather a ride although there are two possible timed segments.
Gravel Cyclist · 6.4K views
Wild horse scramble isn't a race rather a ride although there are two possible timed segments I'd wager one or two riders are taking the segment's seriously whilst most of us are there to take in the scenery and a pile of photographs
Gravel Cyclist · 6.4K views
Writers had the choice of two courses a longer Alton back course featuring two timed segments or a shorter course with one timed segment both courses stop in this small western Colorado town of de Becque
Gravel Cyclist · 6.4K views
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Jack Luke experienced 'temperature was brisk in the low 50's Fahrenheit, but the sun's rays would warm the day to the low 70's Fahrenheit' in May 2019. Ryan Sederquist forgot sunscreen on a warm 2022 day, while 2023 brought rain that transformed trails to mud. High desert conditions create variable weather but May timing avoids extreme heat or cold. Similar climate challenges to SBT GRVL. "The beating hot sun definitely took its toll on my pasty white complexion along this section and I was chugging away more water than probably necessary."[1]
A 'horse-led 10-mile neutral rideout' before the timed 55-mile course, creating unique logistical complexity. Friday packet pickup happens at De Beque Community Center while racing starts at High Lonesome Ranch 25 miles away. Free camping at the ranch helps, but the scattered venues between tiny De Beque and remote ranch locations require careful planning.[4]
High desert Western Slope Colorado through the Valley of the Goblins and around Horse Mountain Range delivers backcountry scenery. High Lonesome Ranch venue adds authentic Western atmosphere beyond typical suburban gravel fare. The terrain and location provide real adventure factor, even if the racing itself isn't destination-level.[4]
The 'Best Gravel Cycling Race in Colorado and Rockies,' which tells you everything about how desperate cycling media gets for content. Zero pro field data, no notable past winners mentioned, and it's organized by Gemini Adventures—not household names. The gravel world hasn't heard of this one, and there's a reason for that.[4]
Only if you're in western Colorado or seeking unique desert gravel. Not worth the long drive for the race alone.
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.