The legend of the local gravel scene is back!
September 19th
Ride it or race it. Your call.
All levels welcome.
@Winterlong Brewing Co.
in partnership with CMBC
*COVID protocols in effect: physical distancing, hand sanitization…
Short Course – 40km
A bit less growl-y, a bit more meow-ly: Short Course riders skip the climb to/from Fish Lake but still get to partake in the full range of Whitehorse gravel and dirt on a course that challenges the legs and bike handling skills.
Itinerary
9:30-10am – sign-in and pre-race Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters coffee.
Self-select a start wave to ensure you finish before 2pm. Your average speed on this course will be about 10km/hr slower than your average speed on your fastest road ride. Do the math and select your start wave accordingly so that you finish your event sometime between 1-2pm.
10am – Wave 1 Long Course
10:30 – Wave 1 Short Course
10:45 – Wave 2 Long Course
11:00 – Wave 2 Short Course
Wave start times are subject to change and will be confirmed closer to the event.
1pm-? Post ride celebrations
The Festivities
Draw prizes will be drawn, awards will be awarded, and war stories will be swapped post-ride in the Winterlong beer garden. Stick around, tilt a beer (“You like bikes?” “Hey, me too!”). Brewing Co. Riders of legal age get 1 FREE pint with registration compliments of Winterlong
Formerly known as the Belgian Hardwo/man Award, two newly minted Real McKenzie awards will be bestowed annually upon riders who get out of their comfort zone, perform extraordinary feats of physical and/or mental toughness, bite of more than they can chew (and then chew it anyway), or generally embody the spirit of the Gravel Growler. Will your name be added to the coveted Growler this year?
Please note, there’s a maximum occupancy in the beer garden of 33 people (6 to a table) on account of the COVID.
What kind of bike should I ride?
Whatever. You. Want. Most people ride a road bike with beefed up tires or a mountain bike. But in truth, there is no “right” bike for the Gravel Growler. Whatever you ride, know that at some point on the day, it will be a great choice, and at another point it’ll be a terrible choice. Ponder this. Accept it. Embrace it.
We’ve seen road bikes, mountain bikes of all kinds, single speeds, gravel bikes, touring bikes, a folding bike, and fat bikes take on this course. This ain’t your average bike ride! We can’t wait to see whatchabring.
Long Course – 65km
You’ll begin by tackling the classic local gravel sector: Whitehorse Roubaix (AKA Copper Haul Road) followed by the punishing climb up to Fish Lake. Fill your vial with some lake water and descend all the way to the highway. From there, you’ll be ushered onto some challenging but non-technical Mt. Mac singletrack, the slow-quad-burning false-flat of the Copper Ski Trail, the mind-bending mud of Mordor and finally, the sinuous descent back to Winterlong Brewing.
Registration
NEW: **Mandatory pre-registration**
NO race day registrations!
$10 Velonorth or CMBC member
$20 non-member
Will there be any support, like aid stations?
No. There won’t be support nor aid stations on course. Riders must plan to be self-sufficient with their mechanical and nutritional needs. Carry your own tools, food and water. Expect to be on course for approximately 2-4 hours, possibly longer.
We strongly encourage you to ride with a fully charged cell phone. The course will be flagged, but if you take a wrong turn, retrace your steps. Or call your mom.
Brought to you by…
Velonorth Cycling Club
CMBC Yukon
Winterlong Brewing
Icycle Sports
Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters
Other Details
Participants are expected to adhere to 2m physical distancing.
If you are experiencing cold/flu/Covid symptoms, or if you’ve traveled outside the “Yukon-bubble” in the 14 days prior to the ride, please stay home.
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Testimonials
“The hardest, most badass race I’ve ever done.”
Eddy Merckx
“I’m gonna be late for dinner with my girlfriend. She’s going to be upset.”
Jane Doe
