Save the date: October 11, 2025

Athens, WI

50, 100, or 150 miles & kids recreational ride

WHY RED GRANITE GRINDER?

Ready for adventure? With more gravel than ever before, riders are treated with miles upon miles on red granite, a gravel rider’s dream. Our routes are designed to give riders the chance to fully experience rural Central Wisconsin passing by dairy farms, over pristine rivers & creeks, through beautiful canopies of hardwoods during peak fall colors, while rolling over red granite aka red gold.

This event is part of the Ironbear 1000 which highlights Wisconsin’s epic gravel. Bring friends & family for the weekend’s festivities (see more info below). The Red Granite Grinder was rated by Strambecco one of the top three 2024 cycling events in Wisconsin!

DO YOU HAVE THE ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH TO FINISH THIS CHALLENGE?

If you’d like to be a part of the event but don’t want to spend hours on your bike rain, snow, or shine, consider the recreational ride, or volunteer!

Course Description

Each race starts and finishes in the heart of Athens with a police escort. As the distances increase, the level of adventure steps up as rider explore up to four counties of Central Wisconsin. The 50 mile route is geared towards new gravel riders with the route taking place on rural roads and well-maintained gravel trails. For those wanting to step up the adventure, 100 and 150 mile routes not only test stamina but grit.

50 Mile - A great introduction to a gravel experience

Riders start depart Athens and hit red gold just two miles down the road enroute to experience gems in Marathon County. Riders then split from the 100 & 150 mile routes where there’s just a few spurts of pavement sprinkled in. After passing the exact center center of the Northwest Hemisphere, riders cross the Big Rib River twice as they meander back to downtown Athens, rejoining the longer routes, and finishing through the forest of Erbach Park.

The course comprises 86% gravel roads, 12% paved roads, and 2% well-maintained gravel trail. For those new to gravel, this route is doable on a variety of bike types with the entire route on roads, finishing on a well-maintained gravel trail.

THIS traditional gravel route is a GREAT FIRST (OR FIFTY-FIRST) GRAVEL EXPERIENCE!

100 Mile - A taste of Xtreme Gravel
Taste Xtreme Gravel which includes remote gravel, two track, and a creek crossing. Riders leave Athens, where your wheels will be rolling over the beautiful red granite this area is known for just minutes into the race. As riders swing north, they cross the Big River River and then are treated with an intimate ride along the shoreline on River Road. Then the race gets serious when the route swings further north onto remote roads and county forests where it rejoins the 150 mile route. From there, riders cross county lines on private property, following the tortuous (and perhaps torturous) path of the glaciers, with the Ice Age Trail National Scenic Trail just a stone’s throw away. Just past the halfway point, riders stretch their legs as they dismount and tip-toe across Averill Creek, then follow double track east before reconnecting to gravel roads. As the riders turn south and re-enter Marathon County, they partake in a slice of gravel heaven as red gold rolls smoothly under their tires once again. Upon rejoining the 50 mile route, riders glide over the Big River River one last time, and finish through the forest of Erbach Park.

The course comprises a jaw-dropping 92% gravel roads with only 6% paved roads and a splash (literally at Averill Creek) of adventure doubletrack for those looking to step up the adventure.

THIS COURSE FEATURES SEVERAL GEMS IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN - if you have it in you!

150 Mile - Full-fledged Xtreme Gravel
Experience Xtreme Gravel which is anything we want it to be, combined with what Mother Nature decides it's going to be. Racers begin on the 100 mile course, but then are tested on a variety of surfaces. After splitting from the 100 mile route, riders cross the Big Rib River snaking west with wind blasting in their faces (with perhaps rain or sleet to add to the challenge). Riders finally can catch their breath on the the Pine Line Trail. Despite being welcomed with crushed granite, the surface turns to coarser granite as they travel north. Riding over several tributaries & wetlands, past farm fields, skirting terminal moraines and hardwood and conifer forests, riders will enjoy the respite of the gradual climbs on the rail-to-trail. After passing the restored railroad depot, riders reenergize at the Ogema aid station, ready to tackle the gut-wrenching hills ahead as they approach the highest point in the state. Now the adventure is in full swing as racers tackle a mix of pavement, gravel, grassy dirt two track, and just plain grit. Riders weave through county forest as the route rejoins the 100 mile route amidst towering canopies in vast wilderness.

The course comprises approximately 80% gravel roads, 5% maintained gravel/granite trails, 14% pavement, and an extra dose of grit on doubletrack for those looking to step up the adventure. Friends and families can follow their racer all day with live tracking included in registration!

THIS Xtreme COURSE IS DESIGNED TO FIND OUT WHO IS THE TOUGHEST OF THE TOUGH.

Kocourek Kids Ride
The Kocourek Kids Ride is a free, recreational, kid friendly ride in Erbach Park. The closed course has no road crossings and takes place entirely on maintained trails to allow all ages to participate in this event and enjoy the joy of the finish line. This route is designed for children with no large hills, plus an optional short course for young children, and is entirely marked. Plus youth that are up for the full course will receive a finish time while ALL children receive a finisher medal upon their arrival to the finish line! We welcome all ages on this family-friendly route, parents are welcome to join their child on the course. More info here.

To encourage the next generation of riders, all Kocourek Kids riders are free!

Race Support
Spectators and crew are encouraged as riders will need all the support they can get to muster through these courses.  Riders are responsible for arranging their own mechanical, medical, and transportation needs.  Aid stations will be available at specified locations with drop bags transported for the 100 and 150 mile routes. Otherwise, you are expected to be responsible for your own nutrition / hydration for the entire route.  The race will go by a few gas stations so you can buy a leathery hot dog if you are so inclined, but beware you may see it again during the day! All trails & roads are open to normal traffic - you are required to follow the rules of the road and stay alert.

Both a GPS file and map/cue sheet will be available for download the week of the event but you are expected to find your way through the course (except for the youth recreational ride which will be marked). With the elements, duration, and areas of limited cell service, backup cue sheets, compass, and odometer are highly recommended.   For potentially confusing trail sections, there may be markers to ensure racers ride the correct trails.  

Cell phone coverage is limited on the remote areas on the northern portions of the 100 & 150 mile routes so it is best to bring a friend to race with in case you need help.

All crew members and spectators are required to follow the rules of the road and stay off private properties not included as part of the route. Recommended spectator areas are noted in the race guide.  Crews can follow their racer with live tracking!

Stay the weekend

Women’s skills clinic
Laura Hrubes will lead a women’s skills clinic on Friday. Thanks to Embark Maple Energy’s sponsorship, the clinic is free to any woman racing the Red Granite Grinder. Laura will demonstrate skills and offer feedback, share about the emotional and mental side of doing things like this, and answer questions a safe and supportive environment based on her riding experiences, including multiple Red Granite Grinder finishes. Participants may sign up by selecting the option on the Red Granite Grinder registration page.

Pre-race group ride & festivities
If you have non-racing friends and family, invite them on the free group ride, live concert and beer release all taking place on Friday!

Join race director, Shane Hitz, on a group ride to preview a bit of the course and ask last minute questions with the course designer on the eve of the main event! Shane designed the group ride specifically for riders to shake out their legs or for friends/family/crews to get a taste of the amazing red granite of Central Wisconsin. Racers can get some race day tips from Shane or other locals as you depart from The Milk Haus onto red gold!

Shift into the big chainring on this flowy, super easy spin while you hydrate before the big race. Highlights of this 90% gravel route include passing farms on some of the best gravel surfaces in the country on fast rolling, low traffic western Marathon County gravel.

Race day food and drink
An even better way to get a taste of Central Wisconsin - the best morning brew provided by Ruby Coffee and the well-deserved post-race party upon your finish! Family, friends, food, music, and most importantly, beer (including local craft brews) and drink, are there to congratulate you, an IRONBULL finisher.  All racers will receive a free meal they can enjoy at their convenience from the Urban Street Bistro food truck, with additional meals available for purchase for friends & family.

Green Initiative

In order to maintain the beauty of our community and environment, we will have ways to enjoy the race with minimal impact!

• Compost and recycling onsite with compostable food trays - last year we generated less than two bins of garbage at the start/finish area!

• Aid stations are cupless

RACE TEAM PROFILES

• Race Director Shane Hitz

• Executive Director John Lauer

OFFIcial CoFFee

official protein

Kids Ride sponsor