By Shannon Lukens.
A group of Routt County agriculture producers and ranchers have frustrations with the recent SBT GRVL bike race.
Larry Belton lives on the race route, on Routt County Road 56.
“We could not haul hay. One day they told me I couldn’t go up the road to where I live and I went anyway. And you couldn’t get out on the road. And the bikers were going seven abreast and when you met them they wouldn’t get over. And it was just a whole day of bikes. And they scared our horses and our cows. And there was just too many of them.”
3,100 cyclists competed in the SBT GRVL. 300 of them were local riders. They were from 50 states and 24 countries. Distances are 141.9 miles, 100.1 miles, 59.3 miles, and 36.5 miles.
Larry Belton has lived in Routt County for 80 years. He showed up to a listening session with the co-founder of the SBT GRVL ride, Amy Charity, and Greer Van Dyck with Community Relations for the race. About 30 local ranchers also showed up to express their frustration with not being able to get out on their county roads while the event was happening on Sunday, Aug. 20. Some couldn’t get out of their driveway. But there were also other rides, and many riders, on the county roads for the week leading up to the race.
Michael Lozano runs Warhorse Ranch and lives on the race course. He says he and his family make a day of it and cheer on the racers.
But they have had problems before with people going to the bathroom on their property, in front of their kids. People have thrown trash on his property. A course marshal parked in his driveway and they asked him not to. “He said, ‘But I’m the marshal.’ And we said, “But we’re the owners.’”
Roberta Smith also said she saw people urinating on someone’s property. She confronted them about it and she said they were rude back to her.
Mary Kurtz told race organizers, “If you understand ag, you would understand our daily life. This is our home. We are so impacted. There is a sense of intrusion with so many people.” Kurtz also said people with cowbells stood in front of her property and rang them all day.
Another discussion was the special event permit process. There is concern that those impacted should be part of that process with the county.
Nancy Mucklow (on the left) lives up Routt County Road 129, off County Road 56. She says there is a big trash problem left by the cyclists. She also said bike race organizers didn’t talk to the ag producers.
“We do agriculture for a living and we can’t just put it off for a whole day and say ‘Haying season doesn’t matter. My paycheck doesn’t matter because you want to hold a bike race.’ Let’s be respectful of how that looks. And let’s not have packs and packs of riders going east and west for a whole day on a road that is agricultural and it’s a county road that I shouldn’t have to worry about not being able to get out of my driveway for a whole day.”
CJ Mucklow also couldn’t get out to check his cows on race day.
“Oh, I think there’s lots of frustrations always in the ranching community. But anything that inhibits their ability to make a living like being able to use the road to move cattle a move hay, that’s a real challenge to people.”
Mucklow was encouraged that SBT GRVL officials set up a listening session. SBT GRVL is planning two more listening sessions for residents in Oak Creek and Clark. We’ll let you know when those meetings are scheduled.
Amy Charity is the co-founder of the event. She said she is committed to listening to the feedback of everyone who was impacted to the race.
“There were some good discussion points on areas that we can certainly improve. Every year, we listen and we learn and we make improvements after hearing feedback, and this year is no different that the feedback that we did receive, we think that many of the points are very actionable on something that we can make improvements and make this a better experience for everybody.”
Charity added, “Every year, we learn more.” She said trash pick-up is something that can easily be addressed and solved. She can talk to race marshals about respecting people’s property and safety on the roads. They can get more race marshals, especially at intersections on the course. They can get more port-a-potties. Right now, there are 30 along the course. “We are after solutions.”
Charity added that 3,000 riders is the cap and that they are not looking to grow. She added, “Our event has changed lives.”
The ranchers added, “We live with bikes daily now. It’s not just that week.”
Greer Van Dyck told the group that she was enlightened by the conversation. She said, “We are absolutely committed to finding solutions to the issues. Our goal is to establish a working relationship between the bike race and the landowners.”
Van Dyck told the ranchers, “We truly appreciate the time and the honesty.”
The SBT GRVL ride has an impact on the community and the region. Charity sent some highlights from the 2023 event, which includes an estimated impact of $5 million.
- SBT GRVL economic impact is estimated at $5MM, based on the self-reported spend of our riders and the number of non-riding cyclists in their party.
- 100+ junior riders (18 & under)
- Youngest was age 7; oldest is 86-years-old
- 282 veterans
- 300 Steamboat Cyclists
- 31% female cyclists
- SBT GRVL has donated $105,000 to local Steamboat non-profits since 2019
- SBT’s key partners are: Boys and Girls Club, Community Agriculture Alliance, The Cycle Effect, Routt County Riders, Search and Rescue, Old Town Hot Springs
- SBT has partnered with Ride for Racial Justice and has supported 80 BIPOC cyclists in participating in SBT GRVL
- SBT has partnered with All Bodies on Bikes, a size inclusivity nonprofit and has supported 30 athletes in attending SBT GRVL
- SBT GRVL has had 65 para cyclists participate in the event in the past 2 years
Key Articles about the event: (all articles found here)
- Basketball Legend Reggie Miller Humbled by Colorado Gravel Race
- Groad Trip: At SBT GRVL, the race to party ratio is magically aligned
Charity also sent a list of positive comments from those involved and participating in the SBT GRVL race.
Here are a handful of testimonials from the 2023 event:
- It was an extraordinary experience that will forever hold a special place in my heart. This event not only provided me with unforgettable memories, but it also opened my eyes to a vibrant network of like-minded individuals within the cycling community. The black course, being the longest distance, I have ever ridden in a single day, pushed me to my limits and allowed me to truly challenge myself in a safe environment. I cannot thank the entire team enough for creating an environment that nurtured growth, camaraderie, and personal achievement. Your dedication and hard work made it possible for participants like me to reach new heights. With immense gratitude, I promise to share my incredible experience with others in my community, and I will wholeheartedly encourage them to participate in the race next year. Finote, Rider
- We had a GREAT time. The expo days were our largest in person sales to date, there was great interest in our product and even better feedback on Sunday as riders reached out to us post race to tell us our socks ‘work as advertised.’ Also, the VLLG was a great homebase and too convenient (nice touch!). Last but not least, the Red course was a ton of fun for me. I’m new-ish to gravel racing but not new to offroad racing.The ‘champaign gravel’ was as advertised and I’ll be back again and again. Mitchell, Vendor
- Phenomenal ride! Your team did a great job! Looking forward to next time. The most organized ride I’ve ever done. Rider
- I wanted to congratulate you and your team on another successful event. The coverage was great – really enjoyed the videos and footage from all of the activities – I think there may be a comic book hero deal there. And the ton of top talent chasing each other made for an exciting race. Overall your event is the best covered and most festive one out there. -Alex, Rider
- Amazing event. Nothing but rave reviews from the hundreds of people I spoke with -Mike, Race Director Big Horn Gravel
- I was talking to a person after the race who lives in Steamboat, and I think he put it best. Doing these events and exploring back roads is a spiritual experience, and for me, it was healing. Thank you for hosting one hell of an event, I hope to see you all next year to conquer the black course. -Dan, rider
- After informally interviewing about 100 participants and brand leaders at the race, I will share that feedback was 100% positive. I tell people that this is “the best bike race of any kind in North America.” And I mean that. -Peter, rider
- Just wanted to thank all who made the race the success it was. As a BOD member of the Tour de Steamboat, I understand the hard work and attention to detail that goes into making a successful day. Local Board Member of Tour de Steamboat
- Met you (Amy) at the Fjallraven aid station. I was shocked to hear you’re the race owner because your vibe was so warm and inclusive! Then I read your story and it’s so inspiring. I think you’ve harnessed lightning in a bottle. Liz, Volunteer
- Hey all, what an awesome event! Just wanted to reach and thank you for all the help and all the opportunities this weekend! We had a blast, worked with some awesome people and had some great exposure. Really appreciate it! Mike Moshier, Fjallraven
- What a great event, and as a two year participant I can only say it keeps getting better every year! Tony, volunteer and rider
- I just wanted to send a quick note to say what a wonderful time I had at SBT Gravel. You folks put on a great race and I had a blast. I’ll try to get in next year for sure. Carol, Rider
- I hope you are doing absolutely nothing today, except basking in the glow of another amazing event. Just wanted to share that we had an absolute blast racing the Red and Green Courses. We hope to be back next year with 20+ members. Eric, ED of MileHigh 360
- SBT GRVL is far more than just a race. It stands as a celebration of the evolving landscape of cycling, celebrating an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and body types. It’s a testament to our shared values that make the partnership between The Cycle Effect and SBT GRVL an ideal collaboration. We deeply value our role as an advocacy partner for this exceptional event. Helen Beall Executive Director, The Cycle Effect
- I get to go to a lot of races and I can honestly say your professionalism and just doing the little things right make such a big difference. – Ben Sigle – Timing Company
- The race was beyond spectacular. All of our friends booked their kallner airbnb spots for next year. You killed it. Thank you for all of it. All the details noted. Especially my hug on Sunday afternoon. 🙂 -Kathy, rider, local
- SBT keeps finding deeper and deeper resonance with the elusive “Spirit of Gravel,” which seems to energize fantastic people to gather in the mountains and celebrate cycling/community/ and a consensus on the way to incorporate diversity in a meaningful way. Loved the goofy joyous HLLCLMB coverage on social media as an expression of that vibe. -James, Rider
- Tuesday night before Steamboat I made the very uncharacteristic and impulsive decision to drive to SBG for the Friday Shakeout rides. My biggest hope for the weekend was to maybe meet Marley Blonsky of All Bodies on Bikes but my expectation was I would take a selfie with her in the background. It was really silly to drive 7 hours each way and pay for an Airbnb for 2 nights for maybe a picture while going on a bike ride with my rusty cheap 2 ton mountain bike that I have ridden on gravel a few times. I am an overweight homeschool mom with messed up knees who loves riding and cycling events even though I am always last and I’m always the only person like me. And in my life I care about LGBTQ+, race, disability and inclusion issues which makes me strange in my small northern Utah community. You somehow created an event just for me where every minute was filled with belonging. And I had to really challenge my view on what it means to be inclusive. I struggled for a moment with people participating with 100% electric bikes. But then I realized they are riding for many of the same reasons I ride and I had to really chastise myself for even thinking they should be left out. Ended up I got to talk to Marley and tell her how much she has meant to me. Reggie Miller came up from behind and was suddenly biking beside me. Ride for Racial Justice said they want to bring the talent and enthusiasm of the Bipoc community to cycling and it just hit me that I see so much talent at events but many times the enthusiasm that I have for the sport is missing. The films were amazing. I road over 40 miles Friday on my clunker bike at serious elevation and felt great because that was a day of experiencing everything right in the world. Thank you for your work and for Opening it up to someone like me who wasn’t even registered for the race event this year. Emily, not registered rider
- SBT GRVL once again exceeded all expectations! It was a phenomenal race and race weekend! We are excited to connect with you, and once again want to give you kudos on making the effort to accommodate and celebrate athletes with disabilities at this event. -Development Manager, Challenge Aspen
- My wife Leeann and I drove out from San Diego and stayed in our camper at the rodeo grounds, it was perfect and we even attended the Rodeo one night. Your town was awesome, we toured it on bikes and went floating down the river, so cool. We think there is no room for improvement. The vibe was awesome, the industry people were awesome and lots of them. The food was awesome which hasn’t been the deal at most venues. I would have liked to see more techy gravel but I am a Mtn biker/gravel guy so I get that. The landscape was beautiful and cars were not an issue at all. I would absolutely come back to the same venue next year. Unsure where the expo was last year but this one would be hard to beat. Dee, SBT VLLG Camper 2023
- Thanks for your efforts to continually improve. Your diligence really shows and the Town of Steamboat should be proud to have you spearheading this event. -Jeff, rider
- The event is truly a sight to behold and I am so so impressed by you and the whole time who makes it happen. The spirit was high, the joy was deep and the love was strong. Bravo lady and many thanks for making it a bit more palatable for our humble little brand to attend. Appreciate you and all that you do for this community! Robin Hall, Local, Vendor
- Best organized race ever done, and that’s with over 200+ races. Felt the most inclusive by 1000% and he loved that. Noted that it was the first rate- didnt seem overrun by “white guys with $10k bikes”. Deeply appreciated how many people were out at 8 pm when the last guy finished. It was amazing with the champagne.. Amy should feel very proud of what she built. It deserves the amazing reputation it has. Scott, Rider, Seattle
- Congratulations on the best gravel event in the country! -Zach, Sponsor
- Now that the dust has settled, I wanted to thank you for putting on such an incredible event. I’m fortunate to have attended a few of these big endurance events now, and I can say without qualification that you all host the best race I’ve been to. You all clearly have put deep thought into how to keep the rider experience front and center and cater to folks across the cycling spectrum. I hope to attend many SBT GRVLs in the future! -Travis, rider
Charity added that SBT GRVL employs six year-round professionals. “SBT GRVL supports and works with many local businesses and vendors contributing significantly to the economic viability of Steamboat Springs.” She sent the following recap presentation of the 2023 event.