High Mountain Gravel

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. Each course makes a loop through this amazing terrain, starting and finishing in the heart of downtown Winter Park. Both courses feature a neutral, police-led start down Main Street. From there, riders are directed onto their courses. The short course has 25 miles on rolling terrain before routing back to town. The long course is just more of a good thing -- more miles, more climbing and more views. Topping out at 10,500 feet with a 12-mile, sustained climb, this course offers a breathtaking challenge for all. 

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! 

2024 Crooked Gravel racer photos.

Cash Winnings For 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+

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.

Key Event Details
Crooked Gravel 25 & 67-Mile Gravel
Date

August 2nd, 2025

Start Times

8:00 am

Start Location

Rendezvous Event Center
at Hideaway Park
78841 US-40
Winter Park

Finish Line

Same as Starting Location

Cut Off Times

4:00 PM

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.

Pricing
25-Mile
67-Mile
Early (until 1/1)

$105

$125

Standard (until 5/1)

$125

$145

Late (until 6/11)

$135

$155

Race Weekend

$145

$165

Entry fees for the Crooked Gravel 25 & 67-Mile races include place winner awards, race mementos, aid station goodies, a finisher’s memento, post-race refreshments, and admission to all of the weekend events and activities. The entry fee is non-refundable and nontransferable.

See more information on our refund policy below.

Register

Register early for the best pricing!

New Crooked Gravel merchandise! Available at checkout.

 

Courses

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.

Crooked Gravel 25-Mile

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. You can either race by challenging yourself or soak in the views and enjoy the high alpine air.

Friday:

5:00 pm-8:00 pm – Packet Pick-Up / Event Registration @ Beavers Sports Shop

Saturday:

5:30 am-7:30 am – Packet Pick-Up / Event Day Registration @ Rendezvous Event Center - Google Maps

7:45 am - Race Briefing - Start Line

8:00 am - Mass Start – both courses (25-mile & 67-mile)

8:30 am - Strider Race

10:00 am - 4:00 pm – Expo

11:00 am - 1:00 pm - Live music by Selasee and the Fafa Family

11:00 am - 4:00 pm - Post-Race Meal by McDevitt Taco Supply (included with registration)

11:00 am - 4:00 pm – Beer Garden

12:00 pm – Check Presentation & Awards Ceremony for Long Course

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Raffle Prizes on the Hour

4:00 pm – Course Closes

Course Records

2023- TBD

 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, LMNT 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).