Planning a gravel cycling calendar for 2027 requires sorting through hundreds of global grinders, but selecting the right event can break a mid-season training rut by establishing concrete preparation goals.
Selecting Routes Forces Early Gear Decisions
- Equipment Specification: Selecting multi-day or singletrack-heavy routes forces early gear decisions regarding tire clearance, gearing ratios, and live-tracking hardware.
The Mid South Brings Red-Dirt Challenges to Stillwater
Held during late winter deep in the red-dirt country, The Mid South presents a severe early-season test that can range from a fast, leg-searing day to a freezing, muddy death march across 100 miles, bicycling.com reported. The event attracts a deep field of professionals and recreational riders looking to tune up their fitness. Participants face course options spanning 12, 50, or 100 miles, alongside 50k and half-marathon run options. Adult entry fees range from $150 to $262 depending on the selected category.
Grinduro Blends Singletrack Ripping With Festival Culture
Grinduro combines gravel grinding with enduro racing across nearly 60 miles and 8,000 feet of elevation near Mt. Shasta in Northern California. Winners are determined by performance on a series of short, timed segments rather than total elapsed time, allowing riders to steer through technical rock gardens and berms in the Gateway Trail network. The weekend features a 51-mile main course alongside a 23-mile Grindurito option, with adult registration priced between $240 and $340.
UNBOUND Gravel Tests Endurance in the Flint Hills
Known as the Super Bowl of gravel, the 200-mile UNBOUND event challenges riders with endlessly rolling hills, sharp gravel, and potential high winds or sticky mud in Emporia, Kansas. Registration operates through a lottery system with drawings announced on November 21, forcing riders to commit months ahead of the June fixture. Course distances range from 25 miles up to a 350-mile XL option, drawing participants seeking a finish.
SBT GRVL Delivers High-Altitude Climbing in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs hosts SBT GRVL on June 27, 2027, featuring a challenging high-altitude course where the main Black event packs 9,400 feet of climbing across 144 miles. The terrain shifts from fast hardpack to soft moon dust, with the course peaking around 8,200 feet of elevation. The event stands out for offering generous and equal payouts for men and women across a deep pro field, with entry fees starting at $200 for the full route.
| Event Name | Location | Main Distance | Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mid South | Stillwater, Oklahoma | 100 Miles | Variable |
| Grinduro | Mt. Shasta, California | 51 Miles | 7,000+ Feet |
| UNBOUND Gravel | Emporia, Kansas | 200 Miles | Endless Rolling |
| SBT GRVL | Steamboat Springs, Colorado | 144 Miles | 9,400 Feet |
| Endless Mountains | Northern Pennsylvania | 115 Miles | High Ratio |
Endless Mountains Demands Specialized Climbing and Navigation
The Endless Mountains event in northern Pennsylvania offers relentless climbing across routes ranging from 115 miles to a multi-day 430-mile challenge. Participants are required to carry a live-tracking GPS device such as a Garmin InReach, with registration costs tied primarily to tracker rental fees rather than traditional entry charges.
