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One-off gravel races are fun and all, but what if you can keep the spirit of gravel going again and again? Gravel race series’ are the perfect opportunity for competition and camaraderie that aren’t over when that *one* race ends.
Gravel’s healthy global ecosystem means that race series are flourishing all over the world. Organizers take the general concept — 3 or more gravel races bound by some type of points system — and put their own spin on it. The result is something that locals can get stoked about and visitors may even consider spending some gas money to get to.
Series are special because they foster community in a way that one-off races can’t. (I experienced it firsthand in 2023!) You see the same people race after race, are held accountable to a set schedule, and you have a nice way to measure progress. Furthermore, the cost of multiple races is often the same or less than one big one!
Here are some of our favorite gravel series for 2024:
The ‘Hoppers are the grandaddy of gravel, the OG of off-road. Miguel Crawford has been putting on the ‘Hoppers for 26 years now, long before gravel was even a word used to describe a discipline. Like many race organizers, Crawford hatched the Grasshopper Adventure Series (GAS) after curating what some of he thought were the best routes in northern California. With how well attended and beloved the ‘Hoppers have been for over two decades, it’s clear that others agree.
For those looking for an early season fix (ie, rude awakening), the Hoppers are a great option. Because California follows no weather rules, you might be wearing shorts at January’s Low Gap race and thermals at the season closer in May. Whatever the weather, a ‘Proper Hopper’ is always in store at the GAS.
Series info:
How many: Four
How much: Series pass $465; individual races vary. First 50 women to register save an extra $50 on the series pass.
When: January – May
What’s notable: ‘Hoppers often have a philanthropic partner; some proceeds from the May 11 Ukiah Mendo Epic will benefit the Moriah Wilson Foundation.
The Southeast Gravel Series is the largest annual gravel race series in the southeast. From March through October, riders can vy for an overall prize at six events in North and South Carolina. 2024 will be the series’ fourth year.
This year, the Southeast Gravel Series debuts a new event in Hot Springs, NC that race organizer Boyd Johnson says will become “one of the flagship events in the Southeast.” The course travels along the French Broad River and into the mountains of the NC/TN border. Climbers will love the vert.
Each of the series events has three distances, a long course of around 85 miles, a short course of around 40, and a fun course, usually around 12-20 miles, that’s intended “to encourage new riders to come out and have fun,” Johnson says. Registration for the fun course is $40 for adults and free for juniors under 18.
Series info:
How many: Six
How much: Series registration has closed. Each event is currently $85; when numbers reach 200 riders, the price increases to $95 per event. Riders under 18 years old are $40 no matter when they register.
When: March – October
What’s notable: Last year, series organizers released a six-part docuseries on YouTube called ‘What Pressure,’ showcasing each of the events.
Utah is producing some of the best off-road racers in the US right now, so it’s no surprise that a few race organizers have decided to pool their events into a new series. The Utah Gravel Series debuts in mid-May just southwest of the Great Salt Lake with the Wild Horse gravel race.
Wild Horse was founded a few years ago by longtime Utah race organizer Bobby Kennedy (of Stupid Pony fame). He also created the Salty Lizard, which debuted in 2021. For 2024, Kennedy has passed the reins of both races to Breanne and David Harward, who started the Dirty Dino in 2022.
Now, the long distance (from 76-104 miles, depending on the race) courses from all three races make up the Utah Gravel Series Triple Crown. Points earned at those races will go toward cash prizes for the top three men and women, with podium awards for age groups.
Series info:
How many: Three
How much: $350 for series (long distance races only); $140, $115, $90 for individual long, medium and short course races respectively
When: May-August
The Iowa Gravel Series started with one race in 2020, then grew to five over the next three years. For 2024, there are seven races on the calendar.
The series has grown by more than numbers, as well. Each race has a 50k and 100k bike option, as well as a Friday run. Riders can choose from a very generous a la carte menu of options, from the entree-size option of the bike race, meal, and t-shirt to just the bike race itself. Bike race + run is also an option.
Iowa Gravel Series board member Ian Breitlow says that the races are held in small towns across Iowa that have a unique geography and community that attracts cyclists.
“The Iowa Gravel Series has always been about having a great day in the saddle. We’re using gravel roads to connect people with communities through fitness and adventure,” Breitlow says.
Series info:
How many: Seven
How much: Full season package $400; individual race/t-shirt/meal $60; individual race only $40; ride and run package $100
*the junior category for the Kanona Horseshoe has a $10 entry fee
When: May-September
What’s notable: The Glenwood Superbloom on September 21 is a women’s only race hosted by the Prairie Bloom Cycling Club out of Omaha, NE.
The G3 Gravel Series started in 2019 under the leadership of Ray Trammell in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The first year, all three races were held around Guthrie; however, in recent years the series has expanded to showcase different locations within Oklahoma.
According to series co-director Clare Paniccia, “Not only does it let riders experience new terrain and new obstacles, it also helps to bring tourism dollars to the small cities the races are held in.”
The series uses an omnium points system; riders accrue points at each race based on their finishing time. At the end of the third race, the points are tallied together for the best overall time.
However, the series also honors the top three riders in every available age and gender category, so there are a lot of podiums to go around. G3 awards payouts, which according to Paniccia “aren’t large, but we’re proud to be able to honor our riders and their efforts.”
In addition to the race aspect of the series, each event also offers a fondo ride for those who want to take a more leisurely pace or those who aren’t interested in the racing scene. At each event, there’s a 100k race and a 50k fondo.
Series info:
How many: Three
How much: $160 for series entry; $60 per race, $30 per fondo
When: September-November
What’s notable: Paniccia co-directs the series with Sally Turner, who came from the Mid South team. “I believe we are the largest gravel series event in Oklahoma that is entirely women-run and women-operated,” Paniccia says.
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Five Gravel Race Series to Follow — or Ride — in 2024 - Outside Magazine
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