Mammoth TUFF: Mammoth Lakes, California - Course Pre-Ride - Sierra Nevada Mountains!

What is Tuff?

Tuff (tŭf) is a general term for all consolidated pyroclastic, volcanic rocks. The name, Mammoth TUFF, is a nod to the Long Valley Caldera and the volcanic stone that defines ‘gravel’ in the area. The caldera was formed about 760,000 years ago in a volcanic eruption from which the magma still underlies it, heating underground water and fueling hot springs the event will ride by.

The short course is around 45 miles with 2,000 feet of climbing and will circle the famous caldera. The long course is around 100 miles with 8,000 feet of elevation gain and travels through the Volcanic Tableland formed by the Long Valley Caldera. Prepare to be transported back in time on routes used by miners and even further back.

Mammoth TUFF may have been canceled for 2021, but that didn’t stop event founders, Amanda “Panda” Nauman & David Sheek, from banding together on the original race weekend date (09/18/2021) in Mammoth Lakes, California, host town for the event. They were joined by locals, and several out-of-town gravel cyclists, to enjoy a fun weekend pre-riding segments of the Mammoth TUFF courses.

Mammoth TUFF Course Pre-Ride Experience Video

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist rides with Amanda, Dave, and a host of other riders, and takes in the glorious country that is the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Make a point to ride Mammoth TUFF in 2022!

Mammoth TUFF Website – Visit Mammoth Lakes

Continued from above:

Who are the TUFF?

David Sheek created this event with his partner, Amanda Nauman, to share the adventures they have cherished around Mammoth Lakes and as a thank you to the town that has given them countless memories. With more than six years racing at gravel events across the country, during the pivotal rise of the discipline, and years of training and exploring the Eastern Sierra playground, Sheek and Nauman have built a TUFF adventure for all to experience. “These are the roads I’ve trained on to prepare for some of my biggest goals and I want to share the magic and see who’s “tuff” enough to join me,” said Nauman.

mammoth tuff gravel race — Amanda Nauman

So, in 2019 David Sheek founded Sheek Group to build the TUFF. After a few years of talking about and planning for an event in this area and the desire to continue to develop products in the outdoor/bike industry, we are happy to share a lot of TUFF in the future. We are happy you have an interest in Mammoth TUFF® and look forward to you joining us in Mammoth Lakes, California.