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High-altitude views abound in every direction. Crisp mountain air exhilarates the senses. And swarms of riders fire each other up. And that’s before the ride even starts!
Both the 68- and 97-mile routes get right down to business, taking riders from downtown Winter Park onto remote gravel roads and up into the mountains.
Brand new for 2019, Crooked Gravel takes a few cues from an exploratory event the legendary Ron Kiefel put together a decade ago called Crooked Roubaix. Back before gravel bikes were really a thing, Kiefel and some friends set out on a 95-mile dirt-road adventure from Winter Park up into the high mountains on road bikes.
Fast forward to 2019 and gravel bikes are a thing. Our two routes take in the very best of Grand County gravel, with long, winding climbs up through aspen and pine forests, wide open descents under the massive Colorado sky and – on the long route – some secret tracks never before explored in a cycling event.
If nothing worth doing is easy, then Crooked Gravel is certainly worth doing… Both routes tackle over 5,000 feet of climbing on gravel, beginning in at 8,500 feet elevation.
It’s all held in downtown Winter Park. Winter Park is a Rocky Mountain Mecca for skiing and mountain biking, but only a select few know what an incredible place it is for gravel riding. Crooked Gravel will change that.
Riders will all set off en masse regardless of which route they are doing, how old they are, or how fast they want to go. This is how we Roll Massif.
Once the timed segment on the climbing starts, riders who want to test their legs and their friends will power ahead, while those who would just prefer to go their own pace will settle in for the climb. There is no one right way to ride Crooked Gravel.
Stick around after your ride for the post ride celebration, lunch/BBQ, and live music. Inform your friends and family that the expo is also open during the ride itself, so while you are on the course, they can enjoy the exhibits.
The Lunch is provided to all participants. Your wrist band will act as your meal voucher.
Tickets to the post ride lunch will also be available for friends and family. You may purchase them at the event or when you register online.
Click to see our Exhibitor Specific Event Posts For More Info on exhibiting with Roll Massif
In addition to a great experience riding some of Colorado’s most scenic dirt roads, each participant will receive:
Ride day registration will be held at the Rendezvous Event Center @ Hideaway Park at the following times:
Friday, August 9 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 from 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Packets will ONLY be available either on Friday, August 9 or the morning of the ride Saturday, August 10.
Price Increases:
March 15 – $125
May 17 – $135
August 9 & 10 – $150
Price Increases:
March 15 – $80
May 17 – $90
August 9 & 10 – $100
Participants are able to manage their registration details online until August 4. Riders can change their course preference, and other custom questions. It’s simple to make changes – just log in to events.com and edit your preferences via the confirmation link. Participants are not allowed to change their name, address or any way transfer a registration to somebody else.
In true cycling tradition, the Crooked Gravel will take place regardless of weather; therefore refunds will not be provided
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Packet Pick-Up / Walk-On Registration at Rendezvous Event Center @ Hideaway Park 78841 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482.
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Food Trucks, Live Music & Beer Garden
*Overnight camping available at Winter Park Ski Resort Parking Lot
5:00 am to 7;00 am – Packet Pick-Up & Walk-On Registration at Rendezvous Event Center @ Hideaway Park 78841 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
7:30 am – Mass Start
8:00 am to 7:00 pm – Food Trucks, Post-Race Grub & Beer Garden
10:00 am to 5:00 pm – Exhibitor Festival
7:30 pm – Check Presentations, Awards Ceremony & Prize Drawings
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm – Live Music – Headliner TBD
Gravel riding may be a pancake-flat affair in Texas, or a rolling-hill thing in Kansas or Nebraska. But here in Colorado we do things a little differently…
The ‘short’ route of Crooked Gravel will be a full day of riding, with a big, big mountain climb in the Arapaho National Forest coming almost right off the bat. Race your buddies or just settle in at a comfortable pace. There is no one right way to Roll Massif.
The highest point of the day comes at the top of the first climb, where you will nearly hit 10,000 feet of elevation. Up top, take time to soak in the views and the refreshments – there is no clock running; take your time! And then loosen up for a long, long descent down towards Williams Fork Reservoir, where the winding forest road gives way to a wide-open, smooth-running dirt road that you’ll swear is smoother than pavement.
A short jaunt on pavement through a slot canyon takes us to Hot Sulphur Springs. Take on some sustenance here, because the fearsome Cottonwood Pass lies ahead! Okay, it’s not fearsome. It’s actually really pretty, smothered with an aspen grove over the top. But it is annoyingly steep.
With that work done, you are homeward bound.
We will announce timed segments soon.
Let’s start with the numbers. 97 miles, almost entirely on gravel. 6,880 feet of climbing, again, almost entirely on gravel. And a starting altitude of 8,800 feet.
But riding gravel isn’t just about the numbers, is it? After a police-led rollout from downtown Winter Park, we bank left onto gravel and head into Arapaho National Forest. As we climb through pine and past creeks, the air gets thinner and the views get better.
We top out just shy of 10,000 feet, and then – after a refreshment break – it’s time for miles and miles of smiles as we cruise down forest roads that give way to wide-open, smooth-running dirt roads that you’ll swear are smoother than pavement.
At Williams Fork Reservoir we’ll part ways with the 68-mile riders and head off for a big loop into some wild jeep tracks.
A short jaunt on pavement through a slot canyon takes us to Hot Sulphur Springs. Take on some sustenance here, because the fearsome Cottonwood Pass lies ahead! Okay, it’s not fearsome. It’s actually really pretty, smothered with an aspen grove over the top. But it is annoyingly steep.
With that work done, you are homeward bound.
We will announce timed segments soon.
Rendezvous Event Center @ Hideaway Park includes a skate park, restroom facilities, shade structures, picnic pavilion, and the Rendezvous Event Center. Located just across from the Visitor’s Center in downtown, Hideaway Park is the perfect place to enjoy a day of family fun.
Rendezvous Event Center @ Hideaway Park
78841 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
Winter Park, Colorado’s favorite Playground, is also one of the most family-friendly destinations. Here are some ways to make sure your time is well spent and your time in Winter Park is unforgettable!
Overnight camping available at Winter Park Ski Resort Parking Lot. More details coming soon.
Winter Park summers just aren’t complete without a camping trip! That’s why camping in the mountains tops our list of must do activities for any fun-filled Winter Park adventure. How is that conversations held around the campfire seem to mean more, a night’s sleep on the hard dirt leaves you more refreshed than when you sleep in your own cushy bed, and even hot dogs grilled on the fire leave you more satisfied than a 5 star meal! If you’re considering a trip to Winter Park or the Fraser Valley for a late summer camping adventure, check out some of our top tips on where to camp, what to pack & what to know before you go, you can be sure everyone in your group will leave a happy camper!
From economical motels to luxurious townhouses and condos, as well as rustic cabins and guest ranches, the wide range of accommodations in Winter Park and Grand County are sure to provide you with the perfect mountain getaway to suit your style. On a budget? Be sure to check out our Lodging Deals and look for seasonal specials and activity packages. We’ve got something for everyone!
