Old Man Winter Rally
HardMid-winter Front Range gravel + run rally — 23/40/75-mile bike courses combining Boulder County’s best gravel and paved roads, with the legendary 75-miler adding canyon climbs and snowy singletrack. Run options (5K/10K/Half) plus winter multisport combos. Big bonfire after-party in Lyons.
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▌ Mid-winter Front Range gravel + run rally — 23/40/75-mile bike courses combining Boulder County’s best gravel and paved roads, with the legendary 75-miler adding canyon climbs and snowy singletrack
North America gravel event organized by Old Man Winter
14 SCORING DIMENSIONS
EFFORT MATRIX
EXPERIENCE MATRIX
GREEN FLAGS
- [+]121 km of hard gravel through Lyons, Colorado
- [+]2,300 m of climbing — proper elevation
- [+]Organized by Old Man Winter
- [+]Varied terrain: Gravel, Pavement, Singletrack
- [+]Strong US-style aid stations and event production
RED FLAGS
- [!]Off-season date — plan for cold / wet conditions
- [!]Details not yet verified — confirm via official site
RIDER FIT
Manageable for steady-state riders
Limited use for pure climbers
Single-day event with strong sense of place
Wrong format for bikepacking specifics
Smoother surfaces let raw speed talk
Single-day pace suits crit-style riders less here
TIRE INTEL
Mixed gravel with no extreme demands — go for rolling speed.
WEATHER PLAYBOOK
Lyons, Colorado in mid-winter (February): expect cold conditions, plan for rain and layering. Always check 7-day forecast race week and pack a packable shell.
PACING PLAYBOOK
Sit in. Let the start sort itself out. Pace by feel, not by rivals.
Where the field shatters. Stick to your power numbers, not the surge.
Save one match. The last 20% is where placement is decided.
WHAT TO FEAR
- [!01]Cold-weather hypothermia — wet rider + low temps = bad day
INSIDER INTEL
“Old Man Winter Rally is exactly what American gravel does best — well-organized, big aid stations, and a finish-line festival that makes the suffering worthwhile.”
RACE LOGISTICS
Single mid-route aid station with water and snacks. Course is short enough that most riders don't need much.
- +Timing chip + bib
- +Course markings + GPX
- +Aid station nutrition + water
- -Spare tubes / tubeless plugs
- -Lodging
- -Drop bag transport (unless specified)
Book 6+ months ahead for big events. Check the race partner-hotel list for discounts.
Often the best value for groups. Search the wider race region, not just the start town.
Many gravel events offer on-site camping for a small fee. Check race FAQ.
- ▸Carry at least one tube + plug kit even with tubeless. Mechanical bad luck is the #1 DNF cause.
TRAVEL OPS
Old Man Winter Rally is a destination-worthy gravel event in United States. A solid bucket-list addition.