SBT GRVL

Extreme
Date
2026-06-28
Location
Steamboat Springs, Colorado, United States
Distance
228 km
Elevation
N/A
Category
Gravel
Region
North America
Terrain
Gravel, Mixed
About

Premier Colorado gravel race returning to downtown Steamboat Springs. Pro and amateur racing with multiple distance options.

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▌ RIDER INTEL DOSSIER
82
GR SCORE
/ 100
TIER 2
~/dossier/sbt-grvl $ cat briefing.md

▌ Big-mountain gravel at altitude. Steamboat’s premier ride.

A flagship Colorado gravel event with serious altitude, premium production, and a rare inclusive vibe at the front and back of the field.

EFFORT51/70
EXPER.58/70
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14 SCORING DIMENSIONS

SBT GRVL
LENGTH9/10CLIMBING8/10ALTITUDE9/10DURABILITY7/10TECHNICALITY5/10HEAT5/10RACE PRESSURE8/10ADVENTURE8/10SCENERY10/10ORGANIZATION10/10VALUE6/10COMMUNITY9/10ACCESSIBILITY6/10FIELD DEPTH9/10
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EFFORT MATRIX

LENGTH09/10
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228 km Black course; 90 km Blue and 60 km Green options
CLIMBING08/10
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~2,500 m sustained mountain gravel
ALTITUDE09/10
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Start at 2,070 m, climbs above 2,500 m
DURABILITY07/10
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Long day in the saddle, 9-13 hr typical for Black
TECHNICALITY05/10
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Mostly graded ranch roads with rough sections
HEAT05/10
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June Steamboat: cool mornings, 25-28 °C peaks
RACE PRESSURE08/10
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Pro field, Lifetime Grand Prix points event
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EXPERIENCE MATRIX

ADVENTURE08/10
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Yampa Valley ranches, aspen groves, ridge views
SCENERY10/10
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One of the prettiest gravel courses in North America
ORGANIZATION10/10
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Top-tier production, neutral support, well-stocked aid
VALUE06/10
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$300+ entry plus Steamboat lodging premium
COMMUNITY09/10
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Inclusive culture — pros and recreational riders share course
ACCESSIBILITY06/10
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Lottery-based, sells out quickly, 3 distance options help
FIELD DEPTH09/10
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Many top US pros and growing Euro presence
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GREEN FLAGS

  • [+]Three distances (Green/Blue/Black) accommodate all levels
  • [+]Premium production and neutral mechanical support
  • [+]Inclusive vibe — Rebecca Rusch-style hospitality
  • [+]Stunning Yampa Valley and Routt National Forest scenery
  • [+]Steamboat is a fully featured resort town
  • [+]Pro field racing alongside age-groupers
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RED FLAGS

  • [!]Altitude flattens sea-level riders without acclimation
  • [!]Steamboat lodging is expensive and sells out
  • [!]Lottery entry — early planning required
  • [!]Long shuttles back to start for shorter courses
  • [!]Afternoon thunderstorms common in June
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RIDER FIT

ClimberPRIME · 9/10

Sustained mountain climbs reward power-to-weight

Altitude LoverPRIME · 10/10

Already-acclimated riders have a huge edge

Endurance MulePRIME · 8/10

Black course is a 9-13 hr tempo grind

Adventure TouristPRIME · 8/10

Blue or Green courses pair well with a Steamboat vacation

Privateer ProPRIME · 8/10

Lifetime points, marquee field

Wind WarriorOK · 4/10

Sheltered terrain mostly; not the test

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⚡ SIGNATURE CHALLENGE
Altitude as the eighth rider

Sustained efforts at 2,000-2,500 m punish anyone who flew in two days before. The course is not the hardest in the US — the elevation is.

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TIRE INTEL

WIDTH
40-45 mm
PRESSURE
26-32 psi
PATTERN
Semi-slick centre with edge knobs

Mostly graded ranch road with chunkier sections — favour rolling speed but keep some grip for loose descents at altitude.

▶ TOP PICKS
1.Schwalbe G-One RS[40mm]— Race-day rolling speed for the long Black course
2.Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H[40mm]— Hard-pack speed, low rolling resistance
3.Maxxis Reaver[40mm]— Tubeless-friendly, durable, predictable cornering
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WEATHER PLAYBOOK

June Steamboat: cool starts (5-10 °C), highs 22-28 °C, afternoon thunderstorms possible. Bring a packable shell and arm warmers for the start.

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PACING PLAYBOOK

01
Start → Cow Creek~30 mi

Steamboat to the first big climb. Easy to over-pace at altitude — sit on a wheel.

02
Cow Creek → Steamboat Lake~70 mi

Long ranch-road tempo. Stay fueled, drink ahead of thirst.

03
Steamboat Lake → Clark~110 mi

The middle of the course. Groups form and split here. Ride your watts, not the surge.

04
Clark → Steamboat finish~140 mi

Final rolling section back to town. Save matches for the punchy finish.

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WHAT TO FEAR

  • [!01]Altitude headaches and HR ceiling for sea-level riders
  • [!02]Afternoon thunderstorms with hail
  • [!03]Going out too hot in cool morning air
  • [!04]Long, rough descents punishing low-spoke wheels
  • [!05]Underestimating fueling at altitude
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TRAVEL OPS

AIRPORTHayden (HDN) — 30 min from Steamboat. Denver (DEN) is 3 hr drive.
LODGINGResort hotels and condos in Steamboat — book 6+ months ahead.
FOODSteamboat downtown has full restaurant scene. Stock breakfast at the condo.
PACKET PICKUPFriday expo in downtown Steamboat near the start.
PARKINGResort and downtown parking ample; shuttle support on race day.
▌ BOTTOM LINE

A premium Colorado gravel experience with three smart distance options. Acclimate, fuel hard, and enjoy one of the prettiest courses in the sport.

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IF NOT THIS, THEN

  • →Same vibe, more festival:Rebecca’s Private Idaho
  • →Same prestige, flatter:Unbound Gravel
  • →Higher and meaner:Crusher in the Tushar
  • →Stage-race alternative:Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder

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