The Mt Lemmon Gravel Grinder is a family-friendly off-road/mixed terrain cycling event that offers something for everyone. Hosted annually on the last weekend in October, The Historic 3C Ranch, set in the natural beauty of Oracle Arizona, is where we call home. This event includes a 40, 50, and 60-mile Gravel Grinder, 13-mile Adventure Fun Ride, and a FREE Kids Race/Ride for ages 12 and under. This year, on Friday evening, we will host our annual Dirt Klunker Crit and Halloween Costume Contest. Participants, volunteers, friends, and family will be able to enjoy camping, live music, delicious food, craft beer, kids' activities, and vendor expo.
These routes take cyclists through the lush, semi-desert landscape that skirts the lower elevations of the Santa Catalina Mountains and leads the way to the main climb up the "backside" northern slopes of Mount Lemmon. The course consists of a mix of gravel/dirt and paved roads that wind their way through sections of the Coronado National Forest and through the neighboring town of San Manuel. Along the way, you’ll pass through local cattle ranches and former mining operations while traveling across several cattle guards, over small narrow bridges, and through dry river beds known as washes. Incredible views of the San Pedro River Valley and Galiuro Mountain Range, a sky island mountain, can be seen from virtually anywhere along the course.
Where the mountains meet the desert, you’ll find the town of Oracle nestled between boulders, oaks, and grasslands. Located just 35 miles north of central Tucson, in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Its elevation is a cool 4,500 ft. and is home to six guest ranches, great local eateries & shops, Oracle State Park, the Arizona National Scenic Trail, Arizona Zipline Adventures, Triangle L Ranch Sculpture Park, and Biosphere 2.
We invite you to round up your posse of family and friends and join us for the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, October 30th & 31st to enjoy the beauty and charm of Oracle. Spend the weekend with us!
For the benefit of the Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists, Beads of Courage, and other community non-profits.
Link to MLGG 2020 Short Video
*60 Grind discontinued for 2021 due to Forest Service Closure Order for the Upper Control Road FR38 beyond the Oracle Ridge Mine.
*60 Grind discontinued for 2021 due to Forest Service Closure Order for the Upper Control Road FR38 beyond the Oracle Ridge Mine.
12:00p-8:00pm - Check-in for Packet-Pickup, 3C Ranch Accommodations & Camping
12:00p-8:00pm - Bike & Gear Expo Open
12:00p-8:00pm - Tucson Endurance Performance Center providing Neutral Mechanic Support
12:00p-6:00pm - Greavel Bike & Wheel Demos Available at the Tucson Endurance Performance Center Tent
12:00p-8:00pm - Beer Garden Open
12:00p-8:00pm - 3C Ranch Bar & Grill Open (outdoor seating and 2-GO orders available)
12:00p-8:00pm - Tucson Coffee Roasters Open
12:00p-8:00pm - Ciao Down Pizza Truck Open
12:00p-8:00pm - La Colombiana Truck Open
12:00p-8:00pm - A & S Sonoran Dogs Open
4:00pm-7:00pm - Oracle land & Homes Live Misuc Sessions
5:00p-7:00pm - Brett Dooley & Whiskey Treats Headline Opening Night! presented by Oracle Land & Homes Live Music Sessions
7:00p-8:00pm - Pre-riders Meeting!
5:30a-5:00pm - Tucson Coffee Roasters Open
5:30a-5:00pm - Ciao Down Pizza Truck Open
5:30a-5:00pm - La Colombiana Truck Open
5:30a-5:00pm - A & S Sonoran Dogs Open
6:30a-5:00pm - Bike & Gear Expo Open
6:30a-6:45am - Riders Begin Staging
7:00a START 50 Grind
7:30a START 40 Grind
8:30a START 13 Grind Adventure Fun Ride
9:00a START FREE Kids Race/Ride (20 min.)
9:00a-5:00pm - Beer Garden Open
9:00a-9:00pm - 3C Ranch Bar & Grill Open (outdoor seating and 2-GO orders available)
9:00a-1:00pm - Oracle Land & Homes Live Music Sessions
1:00p-2:00pm - 40 & 50 Grind Podium Awards
1:00pm - Cut-off at Black Hills Mine Road Aid Station (If riders are not through this aid station by 1pm, they will not be allowed to continue and sag'd back to the 3C)
2:00p-6:00pm - Mother Cody Band presented by Oracle Land & Homes Live Music Sessions
2:30pm - Cut-off at Webb Road Aid Station (If riders are not through this aid station by 2:30pm, they will not be allowed to continue and sag'd back to the 3C)
4:00pm - Course Closes
9:00pm - 3C Ranch Bar & Grill Closes (outdoor seating and 2-GO orders available)
5:30a-11:00am - Tucson Coffee Roasters Open
5:30a-11:00am - Ciao Down Pizza Truck Open
5:30a-11:00am - La Colombiana Truck Open
9:00a-11:00am - Social Recovery Ride
9:00a-3:00pm - 3C Ranch Bar & Grill Open (outdoor seating and 2-GO orders available)
If you have any questions about this Gravel Grinder, click the button below.
Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers!
We are providing you with RaceJoy as part of the official race experience for the Mt Lemmon Gravel Grinder p/b Pinal County.
Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!
Some key RaceJoy features include:
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your gravel grinder experience.
We will contact you with more information about our race.
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