Inaugural Event to Raise Funds for Elbert Parks and Recreation Youth Sports!

Come enjoy the challenging gravel roads around Elbert, Colorado featuring a variety of terrain from rollers to short steep climbs. Test yourself on long stretches of gravel with views of Pikes Peak, beautiful local ranches and pine forests.

70 MILE ROUTE - HAMMER IT OR JUST HAVE FUN

We encourage folks to ride their own pace and have a great time. But since there’s not a lot of vertical and some super fast stretches we expect the seasoned gravel riders from around the state will finish fast! Under 3.5 hours is very possible, and if enough strong riders hang together we might see a bunch finish in the end? Or it might be a solo break-away? However you ride, we expect it’ll be a fun day for everyone.

30+ MILE ROUTE - THE PERFECT SHORT LOOP

This option is for folks who might not have the time or the fitness for a 70 mile route but still want to ride. You can ride hard and fast or at a conversation pace with your friends. There are some short climbs but nothing too challenging as long as you pace yourself. Be sure to cheer on the folks on the 70 miler on the same roads going the other direction while you ride to the finish line. It’s all about having a good time.

Add $10 for deluxe registration including T-short and meal.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

The High Plains Gravel Grinder is a self-supported event, so plan on bringing enough water, food, and any tools you may need to get you in back to Elbert; roughly 30 miles between loops. We will have water and snacks at this single checkpoint.

Although both courses are fairly easy to follow for even the most directionally challenged (pro tip: the mountains are west), and we will have markers in key spots, we still do encourage the use of a bar mounted GPS with the ability to load the pre-mapped routes. It’s even better if it can bark our turns. So make sure that’s all loaded up and the device battery is 100% charged. Remember, this isn’t a ultra-endurance ride like the Dirty Kanza so you should be good to go on one charge while using directions.

Currently this is not a timed or categorized event, or is it part of any points series like the fast growing Encierro Velo. We definitely would, however, like to someday add a more serious endurance race element, but we also don’t want to frighten away any folks who simply want to ride and have fun with other like minded cyclists.

This all stated, we will be issuing numbers and giving away prizes to the top finishers to legitimately cross the line for the two courses for both men and women. Being the inaugural event we’re looking for any and all rider feedback to improve future events.

THE ROAD SURFACE & RECOMMENDED GEAR

Elbert County has an abundance of dirt roads that are often times in far better condition than the few paved ones. Our gravel is for the most part hard packed, with a few exceptions on or near hills where there might be runoffs that can make the shoulders a little sandy in some spots. There are no giant sharp shale rocks to worry about, but there are a few of the more traveled segments that are prone to washboard; this can also depend on when road grading is done and the time of year, but in late September it’ll most likely be in really good shape.

The kind of bike you choose is entirely up to you. CX and Gravel drop bar bikes are no question the best choices. But we’d also welcome the “steel is real” crowd on Celeste Bianchi’s straight out of Eroica; full carbon race bikes; fatty’s pulling kids trainers; just the same as someone taking out a generic MTB hat’s sat buried in the shed for the last 25 years. We don’t really care what bike you ride! As long as you have fun then we’ve accomplished one of our primary goals for this event. We would, however, strongly recommend something rolling tires between 30 cm to 40 cm or bigger if it suits your frame. You could probably get by with something as small as 28’s but it might be a little bumpy in spots and they’d be far more likely to flat. Frame geometry is 100% a personal preference.

IMPORTANT STUFF

Be courteous and respectful at all times. Participants must obey all city, county, and state laws, and “Rules of the Road”.  Your safety is up to you. Bring plenty of food and hydration. Cellular service may be spotty for some carriers but we highly recommend taking along a mobile phone in case of an emergency; as well as take photos and take videos to share the memory.

DO NOT LITTER YOUR GEL PACKS AND ENERGY FOOD WRAPPERS ALONG THE ROUTES!!

At a Glance
  • 29 Sep 2018 9:00am
  • Tickets On Sale
  • The High Plains Gravel GrinderThe High Plains Gravel GrinderElbert, Colorado, USA
  • Up to 70 miles (113 km)
  • From 35.00 USD
Elbert,Colorado,80106,USA