By Shannon Lukens.
This summer’s SBT GRVL race is sold out. An email from race organizers said there will be 3,000 participating in the SBT GRVL ride, ages 8 to 80, from all 50 states. There are 288 locals from Steamboat Springs signed up to compete, and 49% overall are from Colorado. The breakdown for male/female is 31% women and 69% men.
Routt County ranchers have expressed frustration with the race on county roads. Race organizers have held public meetings to hear the concerns. They now have a video (SBT GRVL 2024 Action Plan) on their website that will be sent to all riders as part of an educational campaign. Here’s Race Director Amy Charity.
“In order for us to grow and continue to be positive force of change, we all need to show our local and broader cycling community what positive ambassadors we can be.”
Another thing race organizers have done in response to the concerns of rural residents is to set up a tab on their website called “Local Community.” This was something that was suggested at a meeting in Oak Creek. There is now a specific heading called the Routt County Rural Community Resources page. It lists the concerns that have been brought up and how race organizers are addressing them. This includes trash, more porta-potties, increased awareness to private property, and a Zero Tolerance Policy, especially for those not using the porta-potties along the route.
Race organizers for the SBT GRVL ride next August have made changes and released a video addressing concerns of rural Routt County residents. That video will go to the 3,000 gravel riders who have signed up for the sold-out event next August.
Courtesy photo
Here’s what Greer Van Dyck who does community relations for SBT GRVL, says to riders in the video.
“We totally understand that it’s easy to forget that these are open roads when you’ve got the wind in your face and friends by your side. But it’s so important to remember that we’re sharing the space with cars, tractors, ranchers, and locals, who have places to be and things to do.”
The video talks about the Registration Oath. Riders have to agree to the commitments in the oath when they register.
“Please follow the rules of the road. Let traffic pass. Ride single file, and be courteous to everyone.”
Van Dyck adds that the courses are still in the midst of the approval process and haven’t been confirmed. She says the proposed courses have been changed significantly to eliminate bi-directional traffic, and to disperse gravel riders onto more rural and less residential gravel roads.
An event permit has not yet been issued for the gravel ride. Permit requirements will be discussed by Routt County Commissioners this month and then adopted in February. SBT GRVL is expected to apply for a permit after the updated requirements are in place.
The SBT GRVL ride is Aug. 18 this year.
Past Steamboat Radio News coverage
Jan. 22, 2024 — ROUTT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS LARGE SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
Jan. 3, 2024 — SBT GRVL ORGANIZERS ADDRESS CONCERNS FOR THE 2024 RACE WHICH IS SOLD OUT
Nov. 8, 2023 – SBT GRVL OWNER HEARS FROM MORE ROUTT COUNTY RANCHERS
Oct. 16, 2023 – ROUTT COUNTY RURAL RESIDENTS TALK TO COMMISSIONERS ABOUT FRUSTRATIONS WITH SBT GRVL EVENT
Oct. 13, 2023 – COMMISSIONERS TO DISCUSS SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS MONDAY, INCLUDING SBT GRVL
Sept. 9, 2023 – ROUTT COUNTY RANCHERS ARE ANGRY WITH SBT GRVL CYCLISTS
Aug. 17, 2023 – WORLD CLASS SBT GRVL ROLLS INTO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS