Race Information
Start/Finish Location
The 10 am Start for both the 25 and 50 mile events will be on Main Street in Gordon in front of the “Gordon Station” at 9701 Cty Rd Y, Gordon Wisconsin, 54838. The Finish and post race concession will be at Mooney Ball Park at 9730 Ball Park Dr.
NOTE: Staging prior to race start and race meeting will be on Finstad Ave near the “Gordon Station.” Plan to stage by 9:50am – please.
PREFERRED START – for the 50 mile event only: Those riders men or women that have placed in the top 25 of Hungry Bear, Birkie Epic or similar gravel event.
Rider parking is at the Finish area Mooney Ball Park at 9730 Ball Park Dr. – Gordon WI 54838. Signage and volunteers will support your arrival and parking at Mooney Park. Riders will be asked to safely ride/roll up to the start area at least 15 minutes prior to the 10am start for staging and pre race meeting. Race finish and start area are approximately .5 miles apart. Volunteers will ensure safety for riders so please look for our volunteers and follow all rules of the road.
The Course
Gordon is a township that covers 157 Sq. mi with only 770 permanent residents. The route has been mapped to not cross County or State highways that border the township, excluding crossing Hwy Y east of Gordon near race end. The course is 53.75 miles in distance, climbing 2,500 ft of total elevation. It will be safe, quiet, and interesting, and would be rated as moderate in relation to difficulty. The ride will include approximately 5 miles of pavement in 4 different sectors including the 2.5 mile start roll out. Surfaces will be a mixed bag of good gravel, good sand/gravel mix, hard pack loamy sand with very few spots of navigable sugar sand. The course has been decided upon based on the least problem with sugar sand and using the best gravel roads and trails in the area.
The 25 mile event will be on the same course as the 50 mile race, but will take a cut off that will shorten the course. The GPB25 is 23.6 miles with 1095’ of climbing and 85 % Unpaved surface. Same start area and time, same roll out, same finish, just an abbreviated adventure.
On Course Aid/Nutrition
Each rider is expected to carry enough nutrition for what they think will be needed for a 50+ mile adventure. Volunteers will be at many points on the course for safety and direction if needed. The course will have one AID STATION only at approximately 30 miles. The AID STATION at 30 miles will be at the start of a pavement sector that will provide a good place to roll along and take on fuel. The AID STATION will have general first aid, water, gels, and/or nutrition bar.
Timing/Results
This is our inaugural event so we are trying to keep things simple, creating a fun family event as compared to a highly competitive elite race event. There will be no awards or podium celebrations, as having fun together as a community is the focus. Timing will be done by hand and no promises are being made except that we will do our best logging finishing times and publishing results on this website as soon as we are able.
NOTE: If you finish in a group, please be respectful and stay in order as you ride/walk your bike through the finish chute/area allowing volunteers to record your race number.
NOTE: 25 mile course is an untimed event
Race Numbers/Plates
Riders can pick up their race number plates at Gordon Station on Friday, June 13th from 3pm to 7pm, or the morning prior to the race at Mooney Ball Park from 8am to 9:30am.
Start Time/Mandatory Staging Meeting
All riders must attend a pre race meeting and start staging on Finstad Ave adjacent of Gordon Station
9:40 – 9:50 – Staging
9:50 – Pre race Meeting
10:00 – Roll Out Start
Route Marking/Navigation
Route will be marked with arrows 100 meters prior to each intersection on the right hand side of the road/trail. Signage and volunteers will be at any intersection deemed as a safety or direction concern. As stated prior, please follow the directives of volunteers, and yield to vehicle traffic as you adhere to the rules of the road. We strongly encourage you to use GPS navigation and download the route to your phone or GPS device before the race.
50 Mile Route
25 Mile Route
Parking
Rider parking is at the Finish area Mooney Ball Park at 9730 Ball Park Dr. – Gordon WI 54838. Signage and volunteers will support your arrival and parking at Mooney Park. Riders will be asked to safely ride/roll up to the start area at least 15 minutes prior to the 10am start for staging and pre race meeting. Race finish and start area are approximately .5 miles apart. Volunteers will ensure safety for riders so please look for our volunteers and follow all rules of the road.
Overnight Accommodations
Hotel/Motel
St. Croix Inn – 8 miles from Gordon
11390 South 5th St
Solon Springs, WI 54873
Swanson’s Motel Cabins and Campground – 7 miles from Gordon
11829 S Hwy 53
Solon Springs, WI 54873
Campground
Gordon Dam County Park – 5 miles from Gordon
7201 E Cty Rd Y
Gordon, WI 54838
Lucius Woods County Park – 8 miles from Gordon
9231 E Marion Ave
Solon Springs, WI 54873
Mooney Dam County Park – 15 miles from Gordon
14293 S Fowler Circle
Gordon, WI 54838
NOTE: The Gordon area has numerous private campgrounds and VRBO’s.