PRESENTED TO YOU BY
MUCH MORE THAN A RACE!

​ The Mt. Davis Gravel Grinder will be back for the 8th consecutive time on September 27th, 2025! This is a gravel road bicycle race in southwestern Pennsylvania. The course takes you up and over the highest point in the State, Mount Davis. Come for the challenge and stay for the fun! The name says it all. Will you be one of the Quick (fast) or one of the Dead (not so fast)?
​This is a Nonprofit event with all of the proceeds being distributed to the Local Volunteer Fire Departments of Somerset County that support the local Townships and Borough's along the course. The 2025 venue will be held at the Somerset County Fairgrounds in Meyersdale PA.
  All fundraising is being done on behalf of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA) - Mt. Davis Gravel Grinder Fund. CFA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. CFA registration and financial information are available from PA Dept. of State by calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. 

Hey All!
 2025 Course options: Short Course, Intermediate Course, Jumbo Course, and Jumbo Course bail out option. Go to the Routes page for more details.
Stay tuned for updates. 
Registration will open April 6, 2025. 
Walk up registration welcome-$125 JC, $105 IC, $80 SC . 

Date: September 27, 2025 
Race Start: Long Course 9:00 AM, Intermediate Course 10:00 AM, and Short Course 11:00 AM
Race Runs Rain Or Shine!

All active military and vets get 50% off of online registration. Just get a hold of us on the website contact page and give a little info (ID) and we will send you the coupon.
 Course Categories 
Short, Intermediate, and Long Course. Purse-Cash top 3 in Courses only.
Men (U40)
Men (40+)
Men (50+)
Men (60+)
Women (U40)
Women (40+)
Women (50+)
Women (60+)
​Clydesdale 200 lb+ (All)
Tandem
E-Bike (Non-Competitive)



Refund/Transfer Policy:​
  • Bikereg service fees are non-refundable
Podiums, Food, Beverage, & Entertainment to follow Race!



What you’ll get with your entry:
  • Race t-shirt (First 100).
  • Post-race Dinner & Refreshments for all! We ask that guests make a donation in the boot.
  • Two (2) 1 Gallon-size Ziploc Drop Bags to send out to the aid stations.
  • Jumbo and Intermediate Courses-Two (2) aid stations on the course, fully stocked with Hammer Nutrition to refuel and finish out the day.
  • AS-1 (Miles J-36/I-26) AS-2 (Miles J-56/I-46). Drop bags available.
  • Short Course-One (1) aid station on the course, fully stocked with Hammer Nutrition to refuel and finish out the day (With First Aid) Mile 16. Drop bags available.
  • A well-marked course with Course Marshall's at paved intersections (With First Aid kits)
  • Ceramic Campfire Coffee Mug 
  • Awards (Purse contingent on class sizes)
  • Post-race party
​
​Gear:
  • Bicycle – Gravel, Cyclocross or Mountain Bikes with at least 32mm tires recommended. Road bikes are not recommended.
  • Helmet – Helmets must be worn at ALL times during the race and warm-up rides.
  • Front & tail lights are recommended (Not mandatory). If it's crappy out, stick em on!
  • No ear buds permitted.
  • Spare tubes and parts – Be self-sufficient. Bring a couple spare tubes, multi-tool, chain tool, spare chain links, hand pump and/or CO2, rain/wind shell, water and food to last 2-3 hours between aid stations. It’s a good practice to load spare tubes in your drop bag just in case.
  • Clothing – Bring it to the race even if you don’t think you’ll need it. You can always take layers off, but if you don’t bring a rain shell and get caught in a storm, you may be shivering on the side of the road​​
  • Mechanical support will be provided at the Aid Stations.
​
General Rules:
  • The race courses will follow Blue, Green, and Orange Arrows.
  • Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification from the race. In short...don’t be a jerk, especially to the volunteers!
  • Racers must obey all local traffic laws.
  • Riders should strive to be self-supported, i.e., take food, drink, tubes, pump, multi-tool, extra layers (if needed) with you on course.
  • Racers may have two drop bags (supplied) transported to the aid stations (miles 26 & 46). Drop bag must be submitted 30 minutes prior to the start.
  • Please do not litter. Carry your trash to the next aid station or Course Marshall.
  • If you get off course, you must backtrack to where you went off before continuing.
  • Good Samaritan rule: If you come across an injured rider, please stop to assess the person’s injuries as you may be the first responder. Please note your time stopped helping and we’ll do our best to adjust your finish time.
  • Riders under 18 will need a signed parental consent form in order to race or ride.​

Race Weekend Timeline

Friday 
• Check-in for the Out of Towners  (at the venue)– 5 PM to 7 PM
Walk up registration welcome-$100
Saturday 
• DIY Parking is at the venue.
• Check-in and Drop Bags – 7 AM to 10:00 AM
Walk up registration welcome
• Volunteer Meeting – 8:30 AM
• Pre-Race Meeting – 8:45 AM  9:45 AM 10:45 AM
• Race Start – Jumbo Course 9:00 AM Intermediate Course 10:00 AM   Short Course 11:00 AM 
Post Race
• Shindig – 1:30 PM to 6 PM. We ask non-participants to donate in the boots (Fireman Boot/Food & Cowboy Boot/Beer).
• Podiums-as they come in.
Music by - Them Blue Cats

Important Information:
• When you pick up your goody bag at check-in you will find your “Disposable Timing Chip” Seat Post # and Handlebar #. The timing of the race is being provided by Falcon Race Timing.
• Course Marking – Pavement arrows are White, Course Arrows are Blue & Green. Red XXX means “Cautious descending please, or Stop Ahead”! Yellow XXX means “Know your descending abilities”!
​
• The Race Route is open to all traffic. This means “Don’t do anything stupid”.
(Racers may come upon Amish buggies after AS2 while descending the South Wolf Rock Road and ascending back up to the Compton’s Mill/Mt. Davis Road intersection). Please be courteous!
• The Course is being Marshalled by the Local VFD’s and by Volunteers. Please give them a Big Thank You as you fly by! Remember that they are all Volunteers. Treat this race as if you were out riding alone (Do not take it for granted that traffic will obey them!). Some intersections may not be flagged at all.
• Do Not Litter!
• Lights - If it’s crappy out, stick em on!
• There will be SAG vehicles out on the course. If you need mechanical assistance or DNF, please be patient. They will get to you. We will also have a sweeper vehicle. This vehicle will follow the last racer while picking up signage.
• First Aid – First Aid Kits will be stationed at the Aid Stations and any intersections the VFD’s are at. EMS and or VFD will be stationed at the summit of Mt. Davis and at the Race Venue.
• If you come upon an injured racer, please assess the situation and report them to the nearest Volunteer.
• Cell phone service is limited on this racecourse.
Aid Stations: Please Plan Accordingly!
Aid Stations: Jumbo & Intermediate Courses:(2) - Short Course (1):Fully Stocked: (With First Aid & Hammer Nutrition to get you through)
Swag: Free T-Shirts to the first 100 registered and all Pre-Registered Racers get Ceramic Campfire Coffee Cups.
 CASH ONLY
• T-Shirts (2025 while they last) - $15       Past T's - $5
• Coffee Mugs - $5
  • Water Bottles $8
• Hats - $25​
Purse and Prizes:
Purse pays out in top 3 men and top 3 women of each course.
Routes:
• Courses –
80 miles with 9,500' of climbing (with a -10 Mile and -1,000' bail out option).
54 miles with 6,000' of climbing.
36 miles with 4,000' of climbing. 
https://www.mtdavisgravelgrinder.com/routes.html
For more information please go to the MDGG website or FB page.
https://www.mtdavisgravelgrinder.com
https://www.facebook.com/Mt.DavisGravelGrind…/notifications/

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Happy Trails!
See you at the Race,
Dan Manges
MDGG