By Shannon Lukens.
The SBT GRVL ride (Steamboat Gravel Ride) is Sunday in Steamboat Springs. Over 3,000 riders from every state and 24 countries are competing in four different distances, on gravel roads across Routt County. Amy Charity is the co-founder and owner of the event.
“This is the gravel cycling event that everyone wants to do. In fact, we have to cap it and we can’t fill demand for it. So it has really put Steamboat on the map as a gravel cycling destination and people are coming worldwide to experience what our Routt County roads are like.”
Friday night there is a 2.2 mile Hill Climb at Howelsen Hill with 1000+ feet of vertical on dirt. That starts at 5:30 p.m. on the gravel road behind Olympian Hall. Spectators are invited to watch and cheer on the 100 costumed competitors.
There are also events like the Alpine Bank Toddler Bike Race for one- to four-year-olds at the Expo on 10th Street. That’s at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. An Expo is on Yampa Street just down from the Farmers Market all day Saturday.
Then on Sunday, racers start lining up at 6 a.m. Four different courses start every half hour, beginning at 6:30 a.m. Distances are 141.9 miles, 100.1 miles, 59.3 miles, and 36.5 miles.