This is a big ol’ list. Scroll down and check it out, y’all.

Safety & Weather

Riding safely and rules of the road

• OUR EVENT COURSES ARE OPEN TO TRAFFIC. Ride responsibly, be aware of your surroundings and ride in control and within your capabilities. Be cautious and careful at all intersections and traffic signals.

• Stop fully at the highway intersections and lights. Use extra caution making any turns and otherwise while riding on highways (CO-96 just past Red Creek Springs, CO-78 after Siloam and Beulah, CO-165 after Twelvemile). Pay attention ride carefully and predictably, and watch out for each other.

• For riders on the 19-mile Mild, be respectful of other users along the Arkansas River trail.

• Stay to the right on all roads INCLUDING gravel roads.

• Wear appropriate safety equipment including an industry-approved helmet.

• Bring front and rear lights if you think you may finish later in the afternoon or evening.

• Follow the rules of the road. You’re expected to adhere to traffic laws. Learn more here.

What’s The Weather?

• Cold early in the morning. Hot during the day. Plan to hydrate well, and also be warm enough for the 8am depart. Southern Colorado weather in October can be pretty wildly diverse. You can expect cold temps earlier in the morning (40s - 50s) with highs later in the 70s - 80s (sometimes higher!). If the sun is out, it will very feel warm or hot. And the sun is often out.

• All riders are expected to follow the weather leading into the event and plan accordingly. This includes making decisions on what clothing and equipment to bring, whether you want to continue riding, or when you want to pack it in and call a friend to get picked up.

  • Click here for a weather overview of key points on the course

  • Pueblo: 7-Day Forecast 38.26N 104.62W (weather.gov)

  • Beulah Valley: 7-Day Forecast 38.06N 105W (weather.gov)

  • Rye: 7-Day Forecast 37.93N 104.93W (weather.gov)

PACKET PICKUP/REGISTRATION

When & Where is Packet Pickup?

Packet pickup is in the big downtown lot right across from Brues Alehouse, 120 Riverwalk Pl, Pueblo, CO 81003

Friday, October 11th - 2:00 to 6:00 PM

Saturday, October 12th - 6:30 to 9:30 AM

Please bring a photo ID!

Can I pick up my friend/spouse/partner’s bib number?

Packets can only be picked up for another rider if you have their registration ID and a copy/photo of their ID. 

Can I still register?

No, the event is sold out for all routes. 

To guarantee 50% off your spot for 2026, sign up to volunteer this year!

I can’t make it after all. Can I transfer my entry to a new rider?

Yes, but only until Wednesday, October 8th. 

To transfer your entry, email Gianna at ops@grassrootsgravel.com including the new rider’s name and email address. We will not facilitate the transfer, you have to find the new rider to transfer to.

Can I upgrade my route?

Yes, until Friday night (no upgrades on Saturday morning). You will need to make a donation for the route fee difference to the Red Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Pick up your bib number, then find Gianna, Clémence or Kevin at Packet Pickup (between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM at on Friday), show them your donation receipt, and they will make the change for you. You will not receive a new bib number.

Can I downgrade my route?

Yes, until 20 minutes before your start time. Pick up your bib number, then find Gianna, Clémence or Kevin at Packet Pickup (between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM at on Friday, and 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM on Saturday morning) and ask them to update your entry. You will not receive a new bib number.

If during the ride you cannot complete the distance you were signed up for (DNF or on-course downgrade), please make sure to find Clémence or Kevin when you return so we can update your results and have you listed in the correct category.

Do I get a t-shirt with my registration?

Shirts are sold separately from registration and are a limited run. We will likely not re-order t-shirts.

Can I exchange my t-shirt size?

If you purchased a shirt and need a different size, you will need to wait until everyone has picked up their shirt. Come to the Info Booth at the Finish Expo (after 11 AM on Saturday) and we will gladly exchange your size if we have the size you want to exchange for.

Can I buy an extra t-shirt?

Yes! We will have leftover shirts for sale at the Info Booth after everybody has picked up their shirt, on Saturday, during the Finish Expo.

Is there a pre-ride this year?

Yes! Join us at 3:45 PM on Friday on Alan Hamel Ave right next to the festival for a free, 3-8 mile all paces welcome, community ride co-led by Ride For Racial Justice and Adaptive Adventures. You can join a social hour following the ride at Analogue and Solar Roast or drop back into the festival.

START

Where is the start line?

The Start line is on Central Main Street right across from Brues Alehouse, 120 Riverwalk Pl, Pueblo, CO 81003. Look for the big truss. You can’t miss it!

Where should I park?

Map at the bottom of this page! Downtown Pueblo has multiple public lots & garages. Park in designated public lots and garages. On-street parking will be limited. Parking at the event location will be ADA accessibility-only. Use common city sense and stow valuables and bags out of sight. Lock your bike, or keep it locked on your car rack or inside your car.

What time do I start, and what time do I need to be there?

⚠️Different start times for the different routes, make sure to double check which one is yours!

8:00 AM The Whole (113 mi)

9:00 AM The Half (75 mi)

10:00 AM The Lil Chile (39 mi) AND The Mild (15/19 mi)

Plan on being at the start line between 30 min (when staging opens) and (no later than) 15 minutes before, to attend the mandatory safety briefing (at the start line).

How will timing work?

• Timing will be gun time. This means the clock starts for everyone at the same time at the depart. Riders will all depart in a neutral start from downtown, with racing beginning at the gravel on Red Creek Springs road about 4.5 miles in. Riders must remain BEHIND the neutral escort. If you receive vehicle aid during the race or a ride back to the start or to an aid station, you must let event staff know and you will receive DNF in results.

What’s staging and when does it open?

• Staging opens 30 minutes before each depart. Plan accordingly to be in the position you prefer - we expect everyone to be respectful. Riders should stage based on their intended pace and goals - if you’re looking to race at a fast pace, plan to stage near the front of the group at the depart. If you plan on a slower pace, plan to stage near the back. Staging is just lining up at the start line prior to the actual start of the race. The race will begin with a neutral depart from downtown and racing will not begin until the gravel on Red Creek Springs. ALL RIDERS MUST STAY BEHIND LEAD VEHICLES.

• Staging for the combined depart of the Lil Chile (39 mile) and The Mild (15/19 mile): Lil Chile racers and riders should stage in front of riders in The Mild, which is a non-competitive ride.

Will there be bathrooms at the start line?

Yes, there will be portalets in the parking lot of the main expo, where the Expo will be when you finish your ride.

Will there be water at the start line?

Yes, we will have a couple of water jugs by the start line, but plan on arriving with full water bottles so you don’t stress about it.

Will there be a mechanic at the start line?

Yes, we will have limited neutral support thanks to Great Divide Bike Shop and Adaptive Adventures at the start line for last minute minor adjustments. Make sure to have a bike in working order before you come to the event! Check your batteries in all your stuff - lights, shifters, etc.

Will there be breakfast at the start line?

We’re still working on breakfast options, so plan to eat before and we’ll update here if that changes! Loads of options for lunch and dinner though. Hit Solar Roast or a quick Google search will tell you where you can grab a bite. Make sure they will be open early!

Course Support

How do I follow the route?

• See our route page for specifics. We strongly recommend using RideWithGPS on your phone or downloading the route to a cycling computer.

• Cue sheets will be available for download on the routes page soon so you can print them.

• Courses will be marked with signage. Signs are fallible to weather and mischief, so we suggest having the route on an app, computer, or cue sheet.

There are 5 rest stops on the courses overall. 

The Mild (15/19 mi): Mile 7 (1 rest stop)

The Lil Chile (39 mi): Mile 7, Mile 18, Mile 30 (3 rest stops)

The Half (75 mi): Mile 7, Mile 18, Mile 36, Mile 51 (4 rest stops)

The Whole (113 mi): Mile 7, Mile 18, Mile 36, Mile 60, Mile 90 (5 rest stops)

Make sure to check the route page to have the latest version on the course maps.

What kind of hydration and nutrition can I expect at the rest stops?

Each rest stop will have plenty of water and FLOW Formula powder, pickle juice, sodas, FLOW Formula gels and chews, and basic on course nutrition, such as bananas, chips, cookies. We will also have some gluten free options.

If you require a specific product or brand, we recommend that you carry it with you.

What kind of support will there be on course?

We will have roaming SAG (Support And Gear) vehicles on the course to assist you in case of a mechanical or injury, but they are not to be confused with an Uber XL… Make sure you are ready to ride the distance you are signed up for! Riders are expected to have a contact if they need a ride off-course.

Is outside support allowed on course?

We discourage Outside Support vehicles. To avoid the unnecessary risk of additional vehicles on-course and to maintain integrity in race competition, riders are expected to operate self-supported with the addition of our event Aid Stations. Outside Support vehicles MAY NOT travel with riders on course, nor provide aid outside of designated Zones by Aid Station 3 in Beulah and Aid Station 4 in Rye (details in the Rider Guide) on The Half and The Whole courses. Outside Support or personal vehicles must obey all traffic laws and drive cautiously and respectfully. Violation of this policy by riders or associated vehicles will result in disqualification of the participant(s).

Can I ride my e-bike?

Yes, but you need to make sure we know you are registered as/riding an e-bike, to be in the correct scoring category (no awards/podium for e-bikes).

Equipment & Clothing

What Bike?

• What bike? Any reliable bike that you feel confident riding on gravel/dirt should do fine. Our courses stay on maintained roads, though you’ll still encounter erosion, washboard, and sand in places.

What Tires?

• Our 2023 first place finisher said they’d be running 42mm slicks for 2024. We like something in the 42mm-50mm range with some cornering knobs, because we like the extra cushion and control. Ride your stuff prior to race day so you’re familiar with it.

• A NOTE ON SEALANT: We definitely suggest having sealant in your tires or tubes. There are pokey things out there in the SoCO high desert, y’all.

Lights on long courses

• Riders on our long courses should have lights to ensure visibility of the course AND to motorists if finishing after dark.

Is there drop bag service?

• No. We do not offer drop bag support. We suggest fanny pack support (keep your extra layers, food, etc on you)!

What should I wear?

• A HELMET. You need to wear a helmet.

• Sunglasses. Gloves. Sunscreen.

• Layers. When the weather is changing a lot, it can be hard to decide. We suggest having something thin to cover your head/ears under your helmet, along with a neck gaiter, bandana, or scarf. Protect ya neck. It helps a ton. We also suggest bringing a lightweight wind layer. This could be a lot of things, whether it be a cycling-specific vest and arm covers or a running jacket or a trash bag (worst case scenario). Warm gloves help a lot for those of us that get cold fingers. Same with warm socks or shoe covers. As for your lower half…tights can be too much some days and a huge relief on others. Watch the weather and bring options so you can decide the night before.

FINISH/PODIUM/RESULTS

Where is the finish line?

The finish will be on Main Street right by the festival. Look for the big truss. You can’t miss it!

Where can I find the results?

The results will be posted online HERE and will be available within minutes of the first finishers crossing the line, and updated every 30 seconds after that, as riders finish.

My results are not correct, how do I have them corrected?

If you think your results are incorrect, you will have a 30 minute window to make a claim after you cross the finish line. Come to the Info Booth and talk to Clémence. You will need to have your bib number, and an activity file (such as Strava or ridewithgps) to show the time you would like your result to be corrected to.

Please note that we are doing “gun time”, which means that the clock starts at the same time for everyone downtown and a neutral roll-out led by vehicles and racing beginning on Red Creek Springs Road East, when the lead vehicles pull off and the gravel begins.

Where do I get my rider meal?

Use your wristband to get a meal from one of the local food trucks at the venue! Then redeem your drink ticket at the beverage tent with the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center (Brues Alehouse beer, Athletic NA Brews, and more).

Your meal ticket and drink ticket will get you one meal and one drink, but you are welcome to buy more, directly from the vendors.

Where can I park my bike?

We will offer a secured Bike Valet on Saturday only, which will be located in the warehouse next to the podium, in the Expo area. We have a well oiled system in place to check in and check out your bike, so talk to our lovely volunteers and then will take care of you!

Bike Valet will close at 7:00 PM.

What time are the podiums?

The Lil Chile (39 mi) est. 12:00 pm all categories

The Half (75 mi) est. 1:00 pm Men, est. 2:30pm Non-Binary, Women

The Whole and Solar Roast Coffee Climb (110 mi) est. 2:00pm Men, est 4:00 pm Non-Binary, Women

These times are based on rider finishing times and overall event timing. We ask that you stick around for your podium if you can, so we don’t have to photoshop the podium pics…

How are you awarding the different categories?

We will award the top riders in each competitive route: The Lil Chile (39 mi), The Half (75 mi) and the Whole (113 mi), as well as the Solar Roast Coffee Climb. We’ll also have podiums for age categories (Under 18 to 70+ in 10-year age brackets) and Overall, for Men, Women and Non Binary. We will go 3 deep for categories of 30 registrants or less, and 5 deep for categories with more than 30 registrants.

What else can I expect at the Finish Expo?

From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, check out the vendor booths, wash your bike out of a fire truck hose (cool kids alert), hang out with a beer and a meal, and don’t forget to get your GrG swag by visiting the Merch table (at the Info Booth). 

Join the finish line party after the Expo closes at 6:00 PM!

Celebrate your big accomplishment and celebrate the final riders at the Grassroots Gravel Finish Line Party presented by Adaptive Adventures from 4:30 to ~8:00 PM in the heart of downtown Pueblo, right by our finish arch. 

We’ll kick the party off with the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series Championship. You don’t want to miss it!

VOLUNTEER

Can I still volunteer?

YES! Thank you! It takes a village. Check out our open spots on the Volunteer Signup, or come see us during Packet Pickup or at the Info Booth. Volunteering in 2025 will guarantee a spot for 2026, with 50% off.