Not Corporate, Not Expensive, in some cases, Free, in what we like to call around here, 100% legit grass roots, not just calling themselves grass roots. More to come soon from other regions of the USA, and possibly outside of the USA. Stay tuned…
Enjoy – JOM, Founder of Gravel Cyclist
Gravel Events You Should Know About: SE USA Video
Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription
Reminder: ALWAYS BE A STEWARD FOR GRAVEL CYCLING: Respect the roads, respect the locals, respect the land, respect your fellow cyclists.
North Florida Freeride Gravel Series (NFFGS)
The NFFGS is a long standing series of eight to 10 events, every single event is free, riders of all abilities and speeds are welcome, just show up and ride. For 2025, the series goes into its 14th year of operation with the OG event of the Series, the Heartbreaker Cycling Invitational. I’m proud to be a co-founder of this series with my good mate Todd, and we love showcasing our part of North Florida near and wide. Other notable series include the Hell of the NorFLA, 200 miles of mixed-surface roads. Why pay out the arse for no support, when you can join us for this madness, 100% free. Resupply at store stops, and off you go. We keep it simple, check out the NFFGS on Facebook.
Singletrack Samurai
Founded by long-time adventurer, Karlos aka the Singletrack Samurai, this long-standing series of events has everyone covered, no matter your cycling interests. From multi-day bike packing adventures, to one day mixed-surface gravel cycling, the Singletrack Samurai has it going on. Worthy of mention is the HuRaCaN 300, the gravel bike friendly HuRaCaN Lite (330 miles), and for folks chasing the big miles and adventure, the HuRaCaN 400. Another event we love, King’s Road – Learm more at the Singletrack Samurai Website
The Laughing Donkey Gravel Invitational
Another 100% free event, located near Tifton, Georgia. Organized by Jean Guzman and his small crew of volunteers, this amazing event showcases this beautiful part of Georgia with quiet farm roads and challenging riding, while giving back to the community. This event has several sponsors affiliated with it, and provides scholarships for students pursuing a post secondary education. JOM’s 2024 Laughing Donkey Video.
Laughing Donkey Invitational Facebook Event from 2024
Homegrown Gravel Adventure
Located in Franklin, Georgia, about an hour away from Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson international airport, this excellent event is hosted by long-standing cycling promoter, Wayne Whitesides, proudly part of the Grassroots, Independent gravel cycling movement. The event has three distances on offer, so there’s something for everyone, and you can see my video on the middle distance from my appearance at the 2024 event (note in 2024, the event was named Border Wars).
Homegrown Gravel Adventure Website
Dirty Pecan – Monticello, Florida
Registration for this event is a smoking deal at just $25, and riders are treated to six routes on offer, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, and 200. I have personally ridden the 80, 100 and 150 (twice), and absolutely love this event. Rolling North Florida countryside, pecan orchards, and the route stretches further north into southern Georgia. All proceeds from this event benefit local 4-H programs – Dirty Pecan Website
Thomasville Clay Road Classic
Located in Southern Georgia, the 7th annual running of this event starts at Pebble Hill Plantation with three distances on offer, 30, 50, and 80 miles. There’s an expo, wine tastings, beer garden, live music, and more. I’ve participated in this event albeit when there was a 100 mile edition, in some very challenging conditions on that day. Excellent scenery, tree canopy roads and more – Thomasville Clay Road Classic Website
Gravel Roll
Ride four events or choose them ala cart. The Opelika Okey Dokey, Holler in Walhalla, Pecan Shaker, or Bird Dog 100. These events cover Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. While I haven’t ridden these events, I have ridden in all of these areas, great roads, scenery, and the pricing of this series is difficult to beat. Ride all four events for $210 – Gravel Roll Website
Chainbuster Racing
Chainbuster Racing is the brainchild of Jason and Dawn Chandler, and their family, and I’m very pleased to have made their acquaintance on several occasions, along with their events. People throw around the word grass roots all over the internet, but these folks are the real deal. Chainbuster has been at it for many years, and span areas of Georgia and Alabama with their productions. Favorite events of mine include Red Clay Ramble, and Shake and Brake – Chainbuster Racing Website
Wild Chicken 100
Another favorite event, the Wild Chicken 100 of Fitzgerald, Georgia, aptly named for the wild chickens that inhabit the town… I’m not kidding. Promoter David Dark is a family man, and local to the area. Somehow between all of David’s activities in his personal life, he finds time to organize this event with his small team of volunteers. An excellent grass roots gravel cycling event very worthy of your time! – Wild Chicken 100
Southern Cross
One of the longest standing gravel events on planet earth, Southern Cross of Dahlonega, Georgia. This event has personally kicked my arse on at least three occasions, Georgia isn’t flat, and his North Georgia event is extremely challenging with two very long climbs, otherwise known as Gaps, followed by two equally long descents. Starting and ending at the Montaluce Winery, add this to your must-ride list – Southern Cross Website
Hellhole Gravel Grind Stage Race
Cordesville, South Carolina, this is the OG gravel cycling stage race. I’ve not ridden it myself, but many of my mates have, all of this madness happens in the Francis Marion National Forest near Charleston, South Carolina. This unique event even features a night time prologue time trial to kick things off. However, if stage racing isn’t your thing, there’s also two Gravel Fondos for your riding pleasure – Hellhole Gravel Grind Website
Pisgah Productions
Pisgah Monster Cross and the Bootlegger 100; both events are in North Carolina, and both will challenge you with all of the vertically challenging climbing. Pisgah Monster Cross is one of the earlier OG events, and an event that inspired me to build my drop bar MTB around 2013 with big tyres to tackle the terrain, before all of the current crop of pro’s had thought of the idea… no disrespect to Charlie Cunningham, or John Tomac – Pisgah Productions Website
Gravel Revival
Hickman County, Tennessee; this is a three-day weekend festival of gravel cycling fun, if you seek dirt salvation, gravel revival will save you. I’ve ridden in Hickman Country, but not this event, and I hope to change that in 2025. What’s not to love about a memorable, fun and challenging three days of gravel cycling fun, with a festival! – Gravel Revival Website
Mississippi Gravel Cup
For 2025, the MGC has already held its first event of the yea! This long-standing four race series hosted by Jason and Wendy Shearer, is very worthy of your time and hard earned coin. Each event is hosted in a different part of Mississippi, guaranteeing a unique and different experience every time. Sadly, I have not ridden any of this series, but I’ve ridden in many parts of Mississippi, and the riding is scenic, challenging, and more! – Mississippi Gravel Cup Website
Rouge Roubaix
Isn’t really a gravel race, rather a road bike race over two distances, 50 miles or 106 miles, but there are at least three gravel road sectors. I’ve ridden and raced this insane event on at least three occasions, made top 5 once, and the rest of the time, mother nature, and the wheel puncture gods saw me rolling the course just to finish. If you enjoy racing, this is a must-do experience. Gravel bike NOT recommended, bring your large tyre road bike! – Rouge Roubaix Website
More to come soon; Gravel Events You Should Know About
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Links of Interest:
- North Florida Freeride Gravel Series – https://www.facebook.com/norflafreeridegravelseries
- Singletrack Samurai – https://www.singletracksamurai.com
- Laughing Donkey Invitational 2024 – https://www.facebook.com/events/377801521707749
- Homegrown Gravel Adventure – https://homegrowngravel.com
- Dirty Pecan – https://dirtypecan.com
- Thomasville Clay Road Classic – https://www.thomasvilleclayroadclassic.com
- Gravel Roll – https://gravelroll.com
- Chainbuster Racing – https://chainbusterracing.com
- Wild Chicken 100 – https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Wild-Chicken-100-100057116933269/
- Southern Cross – https://mountaingoatadventures.com/southernx
- Hellhole Gravel Grind Stage Race – https://www.mtpleasantvelo.org/hellhole-gravel-grind-stage-race
- Pisgah Productions – https://pisgahproductions.com
- Gravel Revival – https://gravelrevival.com
- Mississippi Gravel Cup – https://www.ordinaryepics.com/ms-gravel-cup
- Rouge Roubaix – https://www.rougeroubaix.com
- How to Create Amazing & Fun Gravel Routes!
- Gravel Cyclist’s Route Library
- Gravel Bike Tire / Tyre Pressure Recommendations
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