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Top 12 Most Influential Gravel Events of 2020

Dave Malwitz

While 2019 was certainly a landmark year for gravel with loads of new bike launches, big event turnouts and pros leaving the tour for the “supple life”, 2020 is set to be an interesting year for our beloved sport. Events have always been at the heart of gravel, giving riders unique challenges along with the strong community aspects we all love. These so-called “grinders" also give brands direction as they inspire new and more capable equipment for the demanding groads ahead. For better or worse, racing tends to highly influence and further fragment the bikes and cultures of each respective cycling discipline, and we expect gravel to follow suit. With that being said, we sifted through them all to bring you our top 12 most influential gravel events of 2020. In Chronological order, these events spread the calendar from March to October 2020. And if you’re lucky, you may find one that still has a few spots left to register.

1. The Mid South (Formerly Land Run 100)

“Making yourself a part of these roads makes them a part of you.”

Every year, the LR100 has traditionally kicked off the season with its formidable race in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The gravel world watches as the first leg of the year’s Chase the Chaise goes down with weather always playing a defining role. New in 2020 is the race being rebranded from the Land Run 100 to The Mid South. But have no fear, this event still packs the same gritty punch in just over 100 demanding miles of its signature red dirt. Watch for a hard fought race to the end, with both the forecast and equipment choices being key factors.

2. Barry Roubaix

“The largest gravel race in the world”

PC: Rob Meendering

Considered the largest gravel race in the world, the Barry-Roubaix kicks off the midwest race season with over 3,800 fellow rouleurs. The stage is set in Barry County, Michigan, traversing the rolling and scenic gravel roads throughout this Great Lakes region. Now in its 12th hard year, riders will brave the 100 mile Psycho Killer course sponsored by Panaracer. Like the classic it’s named after, Barry-Roubaix will test riders against rolling gravel roads, pavement, rough two track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice on this years thriller.

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3. Belgian Waffle Ride

“The Hell of the North (County)”

PC: Danny Munson

Branded as a Euro-style Spring Classic on American soil, the Belgian Waffle Ride may feature more road than dirt, but the 45+ miles of gravel define this epic ride year after year. Hosted by Canyon and The Lost Abbey on May 3rd, 2020, this event has tested World Tour riders and men on Elliptigos alike. Now entering its ninth edition, the BWR will make its mark once again giving us an early indication on the year’s most formidable hardmen and hardwomen. Look no further than Peter Stetina’s breakout performance in 2019 for how this race has changed the landscape, and we’ll be watching closely as he defends his title at the Hell of the North (County) in 2020. For a closer look at the mayhem check out our popular BWR Recap here and gallery here.

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4. Dirty Kanza 200

“World's Premier Gravel Grinder”

Founded in 2006, Dirty Kanza 200 quite possibly tops the list as the most influential gravel race of all time. Forging the way for many events that came after, the Flint Hills of east central Kansas sets the standard for what gravel is and always was. 2020 will be no different, look for big news and a hard fought race at this year’s show in late May.

5. Lost and Found

“A perfect blend of pavement, dirt road, gravel road and historic railroad grade.”

The Lost and Found Gravel Grinder makes our list for the impact it has on some of the finest gravel in the country through benefiting the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. An important example that other promoters should watch and follow, as sustainable trails are critical to the future of cycling. The course features a claimed “perfect blend” of pavement, dirt road, gravel and railroad grade. Riders will take aim at the 106 mile course featuring 80% dirt with 8,100' of elevation gain through the mountains and valleys of the Lost Sierra. Best of all, this year it doesn’t overlap the DK200 on your gravel event calendar.

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6. Crusher in the Tushar

“The Crusher has NEVER been won on the downhill, but it can definitely be lost there.”

PC: Cathy Fegan-Kim

Now under the same ownership as DK200, the Crusher is only getting bigger as it enters its tenth year of elite gravel racing. This uniquely-formatted race begins in historic downtown Beaver, Utah, and finishes at a different location, Eagle Point Resort. But in between those two points is where this race earns its name. Featuring a 60/40 split of gravel to tarmac sectors, riders will explore deep into Utah’s Tushar Mountains and Fishlake National Forest, adding up over 10K feet of climbing in just under 70 miles.

7. SBT GRVL

#SBTPARITY

PC: Dane Cronin

It’s hard to believe this will be only the second year for SBT GRVL, a seemingly world-class gravel race straight out the gates (you can find our 2019 recap here). Set in the beautiful town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this is the biggest impact gravel event in a state well known for its groads. The race uniquely set out with a fundamental goal of inclusiveness, that clearly paid off as it truly stands out for us as a fantastic weekend all-around. And if you think it can’t get any better, look for some well placed improvements to SBT in 2020 (if you managed to get in).

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8. Vermont Overland

#OneAdventure

The Overland is the shortest race on our list, including just 44 miles of dirt road, but don’t go easy on your training as this one grinds up 5,700 feet of climbing in that distance. The Overland features seven sectors of “Vermont pavé” (unmaintained public groads), two sag stops, a magnificently scenic route and an awesome party afterwards. It’s the ultimate adventure ride in a state that’s home to more gravel road than paved. Learn more in a film we recently posted on The Overland here.

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9. Rebecca’s Private Idaho

“These are the wide open spaces that transform cowboys into poets and meandering tourists into artists.”

Started in 2013, Rebecca’s Private Idaho (RPI) is a long-haul gravel grinder and outdoor festival staged in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho over Labor Day Weekend. Participants will ride along breathtaking gravel roads with their host and champion rider, Rebecca Rusch. RPI is a truly epic grind, offering both a 4-day stage race and one day epic grind. It's meant to sap the strength of riders, not only through steep climbs, but in the navigation of miles of unforgiving rock & grit – but in a fun way. 

10. Grinduro

“THE PERFECT PARTY-TO-RACE RATIO!”

The 3rd California event on our list, and perhaps the biggest trend-setter of the bunch, Grinduro is sure to bring a smile. Part gravel road race, part MTB style enduro, wins here aren’t measured by overall loop times, but rather by four timed segments combined. In 2015 the Grinduro event concept was born and since then was voted “Event of the Year” by the Design and Innovation Awards committee. In 2019 Grinduro expanded into four countries, with now six countries planned for 2020. Festivities include two days of camping, food, music and more. Worth noting is that this flagship California event will move from Quincy to Mt. Shasta in 2020, with a gravel enduro still remaining in Quincy under the new name, Mountains to Meadows. Learn more about these changes and what to expect in 2020 in a recent article we posted here.

11. unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley

“EASY ON THE EYES. HARD ON THE LEGS.”

Our second big impact gravel race from the east coast, UnPAved is a stunning adventure through central Pennsylvania’s beautiful forest hills and idyllic farm country. If the climbs don’t take your breath away (like our friend Stephen Fitzgerald) the fall foliage will.

12. Big Sugar Gravel

“Ride The Highs & Hollows in Northwest Arkansas.”

Although unproven, we’re betting this new gravel race makes a splash in 2020. On the heels of its inaugural year owning Dirty Kanza, the Life Time company expanded its off-road portfolio to include The Big Sugar. This event will feature an impressive amount of climbing, diverse gravel conditions and the beauty of fall in Northwest Arkansas.

Other Stoke Worthy Events

Although they didn’t make it to this year’s list, here are a few other notable events to watch in 2020:

Mississippi Gravel Cup | Jan 11 - Feb 22, 2020

Rock Cobbler | February 8, 2020

Ruta Del Jefe | February 22, 2020

Dirty South Roubaix | March 7, 2020

Croatan Buck Fifty | March 14, 2020

Nova Eroica California | April 4, 2020

Rasputitsa | April 18, 2020

Chino Grinder | May 2, 2020

Farmer’s Daughter | May 17, 2020

Guilford Gravel Grinder | May 17, 2020

The Best of Both | June 13-14, 2020

Ranger Gravel VT | June 14, 2020

Solstice Gravel Grinder | June 20, 2020

Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder | June 17-21, 2020

Coast to Coast | June 27, 2020

Hilly Billy Roubaix | June 27, 2020

The Crusher Enhanced Gravel | July 17-19, 2020

The Rift | July 25, 2020

Rooted Vermont | August 2, 2020

The DAMn | August 15, 2020

D2R2 | August 15, 2020

Gravel Worlds | August 22, 2020

Ochocoo Gravel Roubaix | August 22, 2020

Keystone Gravel | September 12, 2020

Stetina’s Paydirt | September 19, 2020

Spin the District | September 20, 2020

Heck of the North | September 26, 2020

Mountains to Meadows | September 24-27, 2020

Terra Firma Standard Deluxe Dirt Road Century | October TBD, 2020

The Spirit World 100 | November 7, 2020

If we missed one let us know in the comments below and we can add it to the list!

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