Ned Gravel

Race Information

We are offering four different course options: Ultra, Tungsten, Gold and Silver. Each race offers unique challenges but also a lot of fun. We designed each course to highlight the beauty and grit of the Peak to Peak area. On each course you will find a little of everything. Some pavement, steep climbs, and well maintained gravel roads. The climbs will challenge you, the descents will make you smile and the views will take your breath away!  

 2023 Race Info Packet is here!

                                                                                                         2024 race packet will be released the week of the race

Silver Course – 8:00am

At about 20 miles and 2,200’ of climbing, this race is no slouch. Starting at Guercio Field you will head north on the Peak to Peak to HWY and climb for about a mile before turning right onto Ridge Rd. which turns into Cold Springs Rd. This section is a lot of fun with a few punchy up hills and fast descents. At the end of Cold Springs you will hang a right onto the P2P again for another long road climb to CR103 which is guaranteed to be one of your most fun descents ever. You’ll keep that downhill train rolling for 4 miles before tackling the last hill of the course. It’s a grinder for sure. You will turn right onto CR126 and grind for 3 more miles before turning onto Caribou Rd for a 3 mile downhill to the finish!

Gold Course – 7:30am

The Gold Course is one (big) step up from the Silver Course. Redesigned for 2023 we removed the most technical sections to make it more gravel bike friendly.  It is 50 miles with 5900’ of climbing. This course really has it all. You start at Guercio Field and you will head north on the Peak to Peak to HWY and climb for about a mile before turning right onto Ridge Rd. which turns into Cold Springs Rd. This section is a lot of fun with a few punchy hills and fast descents. At the end of Cold Springs you will hang a right onto the P2P again and follow it for 6 miles and then turn right onto Gold Hill Rd. This section is another tough section with steep climbs and fast downhills.  You will hit your second Aid Station in Gold Hill before heading down Gold Run Rd for 4 miles. In the townsite of Wallstreet you will hang a right onto Four Mile Canyon and gradually climb to Sunset and Switzerland Trail. This section is mainly railroad grade between 2% and 6%. it is sandy and bumpy but not too technical.  Once you reach the top you will hang a left onto Gold Hill Rd where you will hit the rolling hills again. Once you hang a left back onto Peak to Peak you will hit a long, fast downhill back to the 103 aid station. Enjoy the next 3+ miles downhill on CR103 and P2P until you start climbing again and hit the last real climb on CR126 before a 3 mile long descent back into town and the finish! 

Tungsten Course – 7:00am

This is the premier event of Ned Gravel! It is 70 miles and has 8,300′ of climbing. Tungsten is new for 2023 and is proudly part of the CO Summer of Gravel!

 

The Tungsten Course follows the same route as all the other courses, with the start at Guercio Field, up P2P and right onto Ridge Rd. and Cold Springs Rd. The courses split off when the Tungsten course turns right onto Sugarloaf Rd. After a short steep climb, you’ll fast long downhill. Once you hit pavement you will climb the steepest pitch of the course (17%!). Then you will hang a left onto Sugarloaf Mtn. Rd for a mile long climb. At the top you will head left on Switzerland Trail. This section is mellow (2%) climbing but is loose and bumpy. At the end you will pass your first aid station and turn right on P2P.  You’ll hang a right onto Gold Hill Rd with some punchy climbs before turning left to head down Sawmill Rd. You will turn right onto Lefthand Canyon Rd for a super fast paved descent. After 6 miles you will hang a right onto the Rowena Trail. This is a tricky and technical climb. There will be designated, optional dismount zones. From there you will grind up Sunshine Canyon back ups to Gold Hill where you hit your second aid station. Enjoy the beautiful town of Gold Hill for a second before heading down hill on Boulder St/Gold Run Rd to Fourmile Canyon. There you will head right at Wall Street and continue up to Sunset and back on to the North end of Switzerland Trail. This is a railroad grade climb that can get a bit sandy but isn’t too technical. At the top you will head left onto Gold Hill Rd, then hang a left onto P2P where you will rejoin all the other courses at the 103 aid station again. You will head down CR103 to CR126 for the last climb and then the same fast 3 miles to the finish! 

 

Ultra Course – 5:00am

 

When we talk about one of the hardest courses, this is what we are talking about. The length, climbing, technical terrain, and high elevation all combine to create one serious challenge. This course is no joke and not for the faint of heart. This course is limited to 140 total riders.

 

The course starts in Nederland and heads south along the Peak to Peak Highway into Gilpin County. It then heads west on Tolland Rd before turning South onto Mammoth Gulch. Mammoth Gulch is a long (4.5 miles), rocky climb. You will gain about 1,500′ and top out at 10,500′ in elevation. The initial descent is going to be very loose and rocky, so take it easy. When you hit the ghost town of Apex you will have a smooth and fast descent for several miles. At the bottom of Apex Valley Rd will be your first aid station with just basic fluids and a few snack. You will then climb again up Hughesville Rd and make your way over to Missouri Gulch and Gamble Gulch both are moderately maintained county roads that can be a little rough but not bad. You will then get a few road miles as you head South again on the Peak to Peak but it still won’t be easy! You will then descend on South Beaver Creek Rd as you make your way back into Nederland where you will turn right onto 1st St and then onto Snyder in front of Salto/Tin Shed where your next aid station will be. Continue on Snyder to cross Boulder Canyon onto 3rd St. From there you will then tackle the Tungsten Course as described above. 

 

A few things to note:

– The first half is largely self supported but we will have medical staff in place along the course. Be prepared for a couple hours with no support. 

– You must get back through the Tin Shed checkpoint (~mile 46) by 10:30am (5.5 Hours). The next cutoff is at the Gold Hill aid station at 2:30pm (9.5 Hours) and you must be through the CR103 aid station (mile 106) before 4:30pm. This is for your safety and that of our staff.  

– If you drop out of the race you MUST report back to race staff at either an aid station or at Guercio Field. Notifying a flagger or Police Officer does not suffice. If we don’t know that you dropped, we will have to come looking for you on the course. Please be considerate!

2024 Race Information

 

Packet Pickups

We are offering three different days for packet pickups. Please do your best to get to one of these to avoid long lines the morning of the race.

Monday 7/08 – TBD
Thursday 7/11 – TBD
Friday 7/12 – TBD

Parking

There will be a $5 charge for all Single Occupancy cars. You can prepay at packet pickup and get a parking pass.

Parking in Nederland for any event is always a challenge. Please follow all of our rules and it will go smoothly. PLEASE DO NOT try and do your own thing, it will jeopardize the future of the race. 

All parking will be in town this year. 

See the Race Info Packet for specific parking instructions.

 

Aid Stations

We are proud to offer aid stations fully stocked with CarboRocket Endurance Fuel, Gu gels, Picky Bars  and other treats! If you have any specific dietary needs please plan on bringing your own food. 

We will have medical professionals throughout the course. Aid Station volunteers may be able to help with mechanical issues but please carry your own tools. 

Race Day Schedule

-4:00am Bag Drop off/Registration/Parking opens and  packet pickup opens for Ultra Course

-4:45am Call to start line for Ultra Course

-5:00am Ultra Course Starts

-5:00am Bag Drop off/Parking/Registration opens and packet pickup begins for all other courses

-6:45am Call to start line for Tungsten Course                                              

-7:00am Start Tungsten Course

-7:15am Gold Course participants to start line                                          

-7:30am Start Gold Course. Parking Closes

-7:45am Silver course participants to start line                                            

-8:00am Start Silver course

-10:00am Vendor expo opens with music, food, drinks and games.                 

 

Post Race

 Guercio Field remains open to the public and are welcome to attend! For participants we are offering a free beer (with beer for purchase for spectators, the public, or your second beer) and free waters and soda. There are food trucks this year as well as all the amazing restaurants offering to go options (check out www.nedtogo.com for online ordering options). Join us in cheering everyone on and visit all of sponsor and vendor tents. There are games and activities for the kids and don’t forget to visit the carousel down the street! 

Awards ceremonies will be held as soon as possible post race once most age groups are complete. 

Bag Drop

 You will be able to check a small bag before the race. Use the wrist band in your packet to write your bib number in order to check the bag on race morning.  

 

Equipment Recommendations

Tires

You will need gravel tires for sure! A minimum tire width would be about 35. But a higher volume tire will make it a lot more comfortable. (We won’t be measuring, but if you flat four times that’s on you!)

Shoes

There’s a good chance you will be walking at some point. Road shoes are STRONGLY discouraged.

Nutrition

There are between 1 and 5 aid stations depending on your course. See the course maps for locations. Be prepared to go up to 10-15 miles between aid stations. Drink, Drink, Drink!

Lights

Because of the road sections and for safety reasons front lights are recommended and rear lights are strongly recommended.

Lights are required for Ultra Riders

Tools

At the Feed Zones there will be basic maintenance tools available and possibly a mechanic or two. Please be able to self rescue if you flat or have a mechanical issue on the course. There will be limited on course support.

Helmet

Do we really need to say this? Of course a helmet is required, 100% of the time.

Apparel

It is July in the mountains. Be prepared for warm weather. An afternoon thunder/rain storm is always a possibility. Plan accordingly.

Bikes

A gravel bike is recommended (duh!) but we are all about riding what you got. Mountain Bikes are great, road bikes are less great but can handle the Silver Course.

Where to Stay

Boulder Creek Lodge is right next to the start/finish area and is the best option for staying in Nederland.

Call and mention Dead Man Gravel and get special pricing.

Airbnb is also a good option for finding housing in the Peak to Peak area.

All other hotels are located in Boulder, about a 25 min drive from Nederland. 

Where to eat

Nederland has great places to eat:

  • Decent Bagel
  • Sweet Sue’s
  • Crosscut Pizza
  • Ubon Thai
  • Salto Coffee
  • Busey Brews
  • The Deli
  • Backcountry Pizza
  • New Moon Bakery

And places to drink:

  • Knotted Root Brewing
  • Very Nice Brewing (all gluten reduced beers)                                                                                                                                                                                                    
    Gold Dirt Distillery (in Rollinsville)