The Ride

The Wild West Gravel Grinder is an adventure /charity ride, not an official race. There will be four courses to test your grit.

EXTRA GRIT
•123 miles
•10,000 feet of climbing!
• five chuckwagon’s (Aid stations)
• Finishers receive a special belt buckle For the EXTRA work.

TRUE GRIT
• 100 miles
• 8000 feet of climbing
• Four chuckwagons (Aid stations)
• Finishers receive an antique brass finish belt buckle (Super sweet!)

CHISHOLM TRAIL
• 65 Miles
• 4406 feet of climbing
• Two chuckwagons

THE BUCKAROO
• 35 miles
• 1200 feet of climbing
• 30% blacktop 70% Gravel
• One chuckwagon

ALL COURSES INCLUDE
• Multiple creek crossings (depending on how much rain we have)
• Remote roads with virtually no humans
• Some excellent gravel roads.
• Some nasty gravel and dirt roads (we will see how winter treats the roads?)
• Wild hog sightings
• Western photo booth somewhere on course
• Custom Wild West swag.
• Raising money to help needy children.
• Handlebar mustache competition

The Wild West is almost entirely gravel and dirt roads, with maybe about 7-15 miles of asphalt scattered through. You start at about 300 feet in elevation, and top out at just over 3000 (unless you’re doing the Extra Grit, then your looking at about 5000) making for some exceptional views of the foothills and valley of Northern California.

Start Times

Registration opens at 5:30 AM at Calvary Chapel Church 12375 Paskenta Rd Red Bluff California 96080 (see map).
Mass start for all routes at 7 AM

The Bike

Gravel bikes, cross bikes, and mountain bikes are all excellent choices for the Wild West. Some of the gravel/dirt roads are excellent, while some will be full of washboards, ruts, and rocks. I would recommend 40mm tires and up. I personally run nothing smaller than 42 mm.

Now what about gearing? The Wild West contains many sharp steep climbs. I recommend having low gears, at least a one to one ratio (same size gear in the front as is in the back) however, having a greater ratio than one to one is probably best.

The Belt Buckle
True Grit

Those who finish the True Grit 100 mile course will have earned an antique brass finish belt buckle! And those to finish the Extra Grit will receive a special bucle for their EXTRA work.

The Belt Buckle
Extra Grit

The Hammer

The WILD WEST GRAVEL GRINDER Is not a race, it is an adventure, however if you are looking for a little competition we do have one timed Strava segment. 6 miles of punchy climbs on a Beautiful and rugged road called “ Hammer Loop” and the fastest on the day receives our custom engraved Hammer!

Things to Consider

This is not a race, it is an adventure ride. The roads are not closed. Although these country roads are very remote with very little traffic, we still may see a few vehicles, and they will not be expecting cyclists. Please obey the rules of the road.
Because this is a remote area, there is almost no cell phone coverage. (There May be a little coverage up on the higher peaks.) We hope to have radios on course at aid stations. And we will have a vehicle sweeping behind all the riders to help pick up anyone who is unable to finish the ride. For the most part, however, you will be on your own. So as cyclists we need to look out after one another. Come prepared to fix flats and mechanicals. Come with bikes in good working order, and having enough food and water to travel 30 to 40 miles between aid stations. Most of all, let’s come with great attitudes and strong spirits to endure the Wild West and have a great time!