High Mountain Gravel, Live Music, Trail Run and Fun for the Whole Family
Crooked Gravel takes a few cues from an exploratory event the legendary Ron Kiefel put together a decade ago called Crooked Roubaix. Back before gravel bikes were really a thing, Kiefel and some friends set out on a 95-mile dirt-road adventure from Winter Park up into the high mountains on road bikes. Fast forward to 2025 and we’ve all become part of the exciting world of gravel.
Winter Park, Colorado has hundreds of miles of smooth and stunning gravel roads featuring beautiful wildflowers, Aspen groves and babbling brooks.
The short course packs a perfect punch — 25 miles of rolling terrain, flowing gravel, and wide-open mountain views before looping back into town. Fast, fun, and scenic, it’s the ideal mix of challenge and reward.
Looking for more? The long course turns things up a notch — more miles, more climbing, and even bigger views. You’ll top out at 10,500 feet after a 12-mile, sustained climb that will test your legs and fill your lungs with that high-country air. It’s tough, wild, and absolutely unforgettable.
Two courses. One epic ride. 25 or 67 miles of pure Colorado challenge — climbs, views, and grit at 10,500 feet. How far will you go? Push your limits on Colorado’s most scenic and challenging gravel routes.
If nothing worth doing is easy, then Crooked Gravel is definitely worth doing!
Check the schedule for all of the details for the weekend events!
2025 Crooked Gravel short course racer photos.
2025 Crooked Gravel long course racer photos.
Spaces are limited to 50 riders so reserve your spot now! Come join us for a fun and casual shakeout ride to kick off the weekend! Meet us at Terrain Taco & Unravel Café + Bar for a ride filled with gravel goodness and led by the awesome crew from Thank Gravel It’s Friday! Distance: ~12–15 miles (featuring a sneak peek of the short course) Elevation Gain: ~800–1,200 ft Surface: Mostly smooth gravel and dirt with a few paved connectors Start/Finish: Rendezvous Event Center at Hideaway Park Pace: Social and easygoing. All are welcome Stick around after the ride for tacos and beers at Terrain Tacos (our packet pickup location). Riders get $1 off pints and full access to the post-ride hang. Bring your bib, bring your crew, and bring your appetite!
Cash Winnings For Pro/Open Long Course - $2,000
- 1st Place - $500
- 2nd Place - $300
- 3rd Place - $200
We will be giving men's and women's age group awards in the following categories for both the 67 mile and 25 mile races.
- Under 20
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70+
New category this year! For those that just want a day in the mountains on their bikes, we will have a 25-mile untimed Recreational category (including e bikes). You can register as a Recreational rider and stop to take pictures all you want without worrying about the clock.
Rendezvous Event Center @ Hideaway Park includes a skate park, restroom facilities, shade structures, playground, picnic pavilion, and the Rendezvous Event Center. Located just across from the Visitor’s Center in downtown, Hideaway Park is the perfect place to enjoy a day of family fun.
Register early for the best pricing!
New Crooked Gravel merchandise! Available at checkout. Any jersey ordered before June 12th can be picked up at the event. All others will be sent directly to your house after the event.
Course Overview and Finish Details
Both courses will begin with a police-led neutral rollout for approximately 4 miles. Shortly after, the routes will split:
-The 25-mile course takes riders on a scenic and enjoyable loop, with the timed section ending around mile 23.
-The 67-mile long course follows a challenging lollipop-shaped route, with the timed section concluding at approximately mile 62.5.
While your official time stops there, your ride isn’t truly complete until you roll back into town and cross under the finish line arch—where you’ll be greeted with free food, cold beer, and live music.
Please remember to follow all rules of the road, especially during the untimed section as you return to town.
We can’t wait to cheer you across the finish!
Let’s start with the stats: 67 miles of rugged adventure, nearly all on gravel, with 5,600 feet of climbing starting at a breathtaking 8,700 feet in elevation. But gravel riding is about so much more than numbers, isn’t it?
After a police-led rollout from downtown Winter Park, riders make a sharp left onto gravel roads and dive into the heart of the Arapaho National Forest. The ascent winds through towering pines and alongside babbling creeks, with the air thinning and the views only getting better as you climb.
Both the long and short courses begin together at 8:00 a.m., setting the stage for an unforgettable day of high-mountain gravel.
The timing section starts at 4 miles and will end at 62.5 miles. That’s a whole lot of gravel! The first climb, tops out shy of 10,400 ft. There, you’ll have your first opportunity to refresh and regroup at the Church Park aid station (mile 13.5).
Then it’s time for miles of smiles as you cruise down the rough forest roads that give way to wide-open, smooth-running dirt roads that you’ll swear are smoother than pavement.
Willow Creek aid station (mile 39.5) will arrive just in time to power up before your longest most sustained climb of the day. This one is a doozy with 2,500 ft. of vertical over 13 miles.
Take in the views and recuperate at Church Park #2 (mile 53.5) before descending back down Crooked Creek to the timing mat. From there it’s a neutral cruise back into town / Hideaway Park via a bike path. Be sure to experience the fun of the Finish line arch (Start/Finish line) where you will get food, beer and we can be sure you have safely returned from your fun challenge.
Gravel riding may be a pancake-flat affair in Texas, or a rolling-hill thing in Kansas or Nebraska. But here in Colorado we do things a little differently. The Crooked Gravel “mini”, 25 miles with just over 1700 ft. of elevation, is a great way to get introduced to high mountain gravel, with a moderate climb on the backside of Winter Park Resort. The course is mostly forest service roads that will flatten out prior to a jaunt back into town on a bike path. You will hit the Vasquez Creek aid station twice, at mile 17.5 then again at 21.3 miles, where you can catch your breath, replenish nutrients or use the facilities.
You can choose to either do the course timed or you can enter the non-timed recreational category. Timing will begin at mile 4 and will end at approximately mile 23. Be sure to experience the fun of the Finish line arch (Start/Finish line) where you will get food, beer and we can be sure you have safely returned from your fun challenge. You can either race by challenging yourself or soak in the views and enjoy the high alpine air.
Friday:
3:30 pm - Pre Ride w/Thank Gravel It's Friday @ Terrain Taco, 78869 US HWY 40, Winter Park CO 80482
5:00 pm-7:00 pm – Packet Pick-Up / Event Registration @ Terrain Taco, 78869 US HWY 40, Winter Park CO 80482
Saturday:
6:30 am-7:45 am – Packet Pick-Up / Event Day Registration @ Rendezvous Event Center
7:45 am - Race Briefing - Start Line
8:00 am - Mass Start – both courses (25-mile & 67-mile)
8:30 am - Crooked Gravel 10K Start
8:45 am - Strider Race (ages 4 and Under)
9:00 am - Kids Running Race (ages 10 and Under)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm – Expo
10:30 am - Short Course Awards
11:00 am - Yoga in the Park
11:00 am - Recovery with Howling Moon Sauna
11:00 am - 4:00 pm - Post-Race Meal (included with registration)
11:00 am - 4:00 pm – Beer Garden
12:00 pm – Check Presentation & Awards Ceremony for Long Course
12:00 am - 2:00 pm - Live music by Puddle Stomp
4:00 pm – Course Closes
6:30 pm - 5Point Adventure Film Festival @Rendezvous Event Center
Are Dogs Allowed?
We love dogs! Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome at the Start/Finish and aid stations. Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on course with any racers.
What Supplies Are Offered at the Aid Stations?
At the aid stations, racers will receive sports gels, Precision electrolyte drink, water, skittles, PB&J rolls and potato chips. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDS will NOT be provided. And to reduce waste, cups will not be provided at the aid stations.
Radio contact will be available at all aid stations and each one will have the necessary medical materials to nurse any bumps, cuts, bruises, and/or blisters.
Three aid stations will be provided for the Long Course and one aid station for the Short Course.
Do racers need to have a race number?
Racers must display their race plates at all times.
What Weather Should I Expect?
Weather in the Colorado mountains is very unpredictable. The average high temperature is 73F and a low of 44F. You can count on afternoon showers, and you should be prepared by carrying rain gear.
Afternoon thunderstorms are a frequent summer occurrence in the Rockies. In order to avoid lightning strikes, don’t be the tallest object around or stand under tall objects. Move to higher ground in the event of a flash flood. Rain gear can help prevent hypothermia; a drop in body temperature that can happen even in summertime.
What About Unforeseeable Circumstances?
In the case of unforeseeable circumstances due to weather or other extenuating circumstances that prevents the safe continuation of the race, race officials may end the race at any given time without a refund of unused portions. This rule will be implemented in the most extreme cases for the safety of the racers or officials.
I Lost Something at the Event! Is There a Lost & Found?
Items left at aid stations and lost & found items will be available at the awards ceremony immediately following the bike race.
Can I Transfer or Cancel My Registration?
There will be no entry transfers. If you regrettably need to cancel your registration, please use BikeReg.
What’s our Refund Policy?
- 30 days or more prior to the event: 85% credit of registration fee (excluding BikeReg fees).
- Less than 30 days prior to the event: No refunds or credit given.
Credits may be applied to any future Gemini Adventures race and will be valid for 12 months.
Registered racers may also switch between distances. No refunds or credit will be given for dropping down in distance. If you want to step up your distance, the added current pricing of the longer distance will be charged (excluding UltraSignup fees).
