The gravel roads of Barry County, Michigan can best be described as mainly dirt with a sandy consistency and small rocks/gravel. With that said, the conditions vary drastically based on the weather!! No matter what distance you race, we know you’ll find adventure, challenge and of course, glorious gravel!

SIGNATURE LANDMARKS OF THE COURSES

18-MILE COURSE “THE CHILLER”

Kinda funny that even though this is the shortest route of the event, it has the most feet per mile of climbing, so it’s anything but a chill ride! Here’s what you can expect as you rip around the 18-mile Chiller course. 85% gravel/dirt roads and 15% pavement. Approximately 1228 feet of total climbing. Mountain, gravel or fat bikes are all good options for this distance.

After a 1.5 mile start on pavement, you’ll hit that splendid Barry County gravel and immediately get slapped in the face by the “THREE SISTERS”!! We suggest getting in a decent warm up, so you don’t blow up your lungs on the infamous three hill climb. Over the next few miles you’ll continue to be challenged by the rolling hills, but rewarded with some great scenery and descents along the way. At mile 6.5 you’ll turn left onto Hull Road. The 36 and 62-mile racers continue straight. There will be a big sign telling you to turn, if you miss it, plan on riding double your distance!

You’ll be greeted at approximately mile 9.5 with the 18- mile courses only aid station. Volunteers will be on hand to help with Gordon water, Infinit Nutrition, GU products and some fruit. We’ll also have a mechanic on hand to help with any minor mechanical bike issues.

Just after the aid station, you’ll turn left merging back on to the 36- mile course. We’ll have a volunteer directing traffic, but use caution as you make the turn looking out for faster racers. You’ll have a few more punchy climbs over the next three miles before you get to another racer merge at mile 14. The 62 mile racers will merge in from your right. Once again, there will be a volunteer giving a heads up to merging traffic.

Now you’re in the home stretch!! Cook road is one of our favorite sections of the course as it winds from side to side with some rollers.

Please stay as far right as possible, so faster racers can pass safely. You’ll make a right turn on to Green St. for the final mile of the race. The false flat, gradual uphill will have you begging for the finish, but the cheering crowds will help pull you home.

36-MILE COURSE “THE THRILLER”

The 36-mile route is the most popular distance for BRX racers, with enough distance and climbing to challenge anyone’s early season fitness.

Here’s what you can expect for the 36-mile race route:

84.7% gravel/dirt roads and 15% pavement and .03% seasonal road two track. Approximately 2121 feet of total climbing. A gravel bike with 40 mm tires is the optimal weapon for shredding the Thriller course. A rigid mountain bike is also a good option, as long as you have enough gears to push the pavement sections.

Plan on red-lining as you start the race on Green St. pavement. At just under a mile from the start, hold your line as you make the first left on to Cook St. One more right at approx. 1.5 miles in and you’ve hit that glorious Barry County gravel and the “Three Sisters”. These three hills will expose those who have trained and those that just showed up. Over the next few miles you’ll continue to be challenged by some punchy hills and start to question your fitness and tire selection 😊. You’ll hit a paved road section but don’t get too excited as you’ll climb 250 feet in under a half mile. At mile 18, you’ll make a left turn onto the infamous Sager Road. This seasonal “road” is usually rutted, with mud holes or possibly sandy sections, so pick your lines and hammer through.

At mile 25, you’ll hit “The Wall”! Pace yourself on this climb, because when you think you’re at the top, you’ll turn left for a fun little final pitch.

From here the course is gradually descending, but don’t think it’s all downhill! You still have “Cemetery Hill” at mile 26.7. Heads up as a mile down the road you’ll have the 18-mile racers merging onto your road from the left. At mile 32 you’ll have 62-mile racers merging in from your right. We’ll have volunteers helping you identify that merge and reminding you to use caution. Now you’re in the final stretch. The final gravel section of the 36-mile course is Cook Road. This twisty and rolling segment will remind you why you love riding gravel so much. You’ll turn right onto Green St. for the last mile with a false flat that sucks everything out of your legs. Push through as all the spectators cheer you across the finish line.

62-MILE COURSE “THE KILLER”

Your “Killer” course starts out hitting all the same roads and course signature landmarks found on the 36-mile (see above for details). At approximately mile 9.5 you’ll be introduced to a new section for the 62-mile course, Shaw Road! For those of you who are familiar with the courses, think Sager Road, but a bit more rowdy. Depending on the weather, this section could have some pits of sand or mud holes, so pick your lines carefully as you navigate this two-track adventure. After all that effort, you’ll be rewarded (sort of!) with a pavement reprieve. Unfortunately, it’s a long uphill leading to a nice decent. After some mild gravel sections that’ll let you catch your breath, you’ll hit “Sager”, “The Wall” and then at approximately mile 26.5 hit another “section” new to the 62-mile course. This private property will be signed 2-weeks prior to the race and you’ll be able to pre-ride this section if you want to see what’s in store…

For the next 16 miles you’ll have a chance to raise your average mph as the glorious Barry gravel gives you stretches to rip with some punchy climbs thrown in to keep your legs loose. The second aid station on the 62-mile course is at approximately mile 43.4. Stop in if you need supplies, but if you can stretch it a bit further, you’ll hit the last aid station (strategically placed for the 100 mile racers) at mile 50.9.

For the next 9 miles you’ll head North, back towards Hastings, with one section of pavement connecting the mostly gravel stretch. At mile 59.7 you’ll have other race distances merging in from the left. Signs and corner marshals will make you aware, but keep an eye out for riders. The next 2.5 miles is the beautifully twisty Cook Road section. You’ll enjoy the undulating grades as you hold back those cramping legs that want to lock you up… The last right turn and you’ll empty the tank on a paved gradual 1 mile uphill leading you into the cheering crowds at the finish line.

100-MILE COURSE “THE PSYCHO KILLER”

Did you really think we’d spoil the surprise!
Just ride your bike and enjoy the adventure!