Panoche Desert Hills (Gravel)

On a clear day, you can see across the Central Valley to the horizon which is wall-to-wall snow-capped Sierra mountains. The other direction, you’re looking into the old New Idria quicksilver (mercury) mine and the San Benito Wilderness. All around you will be arid, treeless desert in the rain shadow of a mountain range. You didn’t know that actual desert came all the way up to just 2h30m from San Francisco now, did you? Double-track gravel road for miles and miles and zero cars for hours.

Bring low gears and 40mm tires for this one, and make sure your brakes are in top order as well (listen to me now and believe me later!). There are rollers that are like natural X-Games giant vert ramp drop-ins. 100′, 200′ and larger g-out dips await you, several in a row. The full route has a few short hike-a-bike pitches too (100′ or less) if you are not ready for them, but going the other way it drops 1,000′ in one mile (for comparison, Braille Trail at Soquel Demo Forest in Santa Cruz drops about 1,000′ in a mile as well…)

We will send you the final course link 24-48hrs ahead of time to account for any route surprises we encounter while marking the course. GPS devices highly encouraged. Please plan accordingly.

Is there SAG support? What about mechanical support?

YES! We have a broom wagon and pro mechanics on course.

FOOD! Will there be anything like the usual AWESOME SUPERPRO post-ride buffet offered??

Dude… whose reg are you looking at right now? Do you even ride bikes? OF COURSE WE HAVE A HUGE POST RIDE FACE STUFFING SESSION!! As always, a buffet is included in your entry! ALL THE FOODS ARE BELONG TO YOU.

Will you have any super cool t-shirts so people who meet me know what a badass I am?

YES! We have a rad design for the whole Gravel Gauntlet series! Jackets and patches with the series logo will also be for sale (but we’re making a very limited run). Bring your series jacket to rider check-in and we will sew a patch on for you while you ride!