It’s Back
The RRGMTB100 is a mountain bike adventure through the best of the Red River Gorge. You’ll connect rugged backroads, race-day-only private trails, and iconic Gorge terrain while refueling at community-powered aid stations along the way. It's a big day on the bike built around challenge, scenery, and the kind of experience you'll still be talking about months later.
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LENGTH: 100 miles OR 100K options (ish)
TERRAIN: Gravel Roads • Crazy-Rough Backroads • Doubletrack • Paved • Single Track • Private Trails
WHERE: Red River Gorge, KY (starting in Stanton)
WHEN: Saturday, September 19. Rollout 7am. Cutoff 8pm
WHO: Riders ready for a tough challenge and unforgettable tour of the GorgeTHE COURSE:
This is not your typical mountain bike race. The RRGMTB100 is the best the Gorge has to offer, hand-picked by folks who've spent decades exploring every corner of it. Fast roads, rough roads, private trails, creek crossings, deep hollers, and a route that feels more discovered than designed.THE EXPERIENCE
In spirit, this is an adventure first and a race second. The route is known. The outcome isn't. If you're looking for a memorable challenge in one of the most beautiful places in Kentucky, welcome home.REVIVAL PRICING: $129
|| FIRST 50 RIDERS ||
Registration Closes: September 15
Shirt Deadline: August 30
This race has sat silent since 2017, to celebrate the riders willing to jump in early and help write the next chapter, the first 50 entries will receive Revival Pricing.
Once those 50 spots are claimed, registration increases to $149. When 100 riders are registered, the final pricing tier of $169 takes effect until we’re at-capacity. -
Registration Includes
A fully marked, best-of adventure through the Red River Gorge
Exclusive access to sections of private trail unavailable to the public
Five memorable Aid Stations powered by local businesses and community partners
Three drop bag locations
Rider extraction service for non-medical DNFs
Emergency support and responders on standby
Triblend long-sleeve hooded event shirt
Post-race meal by Hop’s
Custom finisher mason jar
A story you'll probably be telling for years
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Saturday — September 19
Check-In: 6:00- 6:45 AM
Pre-Race Briefing 6:45AM
Race Start: 7:00 AM
Race Cutoff: 8:00 PM
Deadline Reminders:
Shirt Deadline: August 30
Registration Closes: September 15
THE COMMUNITY
Is genuinely stoked to see this race return and are showing up in full force to help get you to the finish.
You'll encounter five community-powered Aid Stations along the route - each with its own personality. Hot food, iced-coffee, local flavor, and volunteers truly excited to see you roll in. They're less like Aid Stations and more like little celebrations scattered across the course.
THE SHIRT
We swagged this same tri-blend hooded long sleeve for last year’s FIG race and it's the shirt we still see people wearing more than any other.
It's lightweight, ridiculously comfortable. We picked it because it's the kind of shirt people actually wear instead of stuffing in a drawer.
COURSE DETAILS
The RRGMTB100 showcases an incredible cross-section of the Red River Gorge region, connecting iconic roads, forgotten corridors, private trails, and hidden backroads into one unforgettable day on the bike.
Punkin' Holler - Remote, rugged, and exactly the kind of road you'd hope to find in Eastern Kentucky.
The Red River Corridor - Trace Kentucky's only National Wild & Scenic River as it winds through the heart of the Gorge.
Walker Creek - A rough-and-tumble railroad grade following the historic Kentucky Union Railway and now a centerpiece of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.
Nada Tunnel - Roll through the 900-foot one-lane tunnel known as the Gateway to the Red River Gorge.
Spaas Creek - Infamous. Pick your line carefully. Ruts deep enough to swallow a bike.
Hell Creek & Bald Rock — Ride through the towering sandstone cliffs and world-famous climbing corridors that helped put the Gorge on the map.
Hollerwood - Yep! We’re picking the fastest, funnest trails in this off-road park for you. Open to bikes exclusively on race day and closed to the public.
Private Singletrack - Purpose-built trail sections that few riders ever get the chance to experience (working on firming this one up).
Fixer-Leeco - Classic RRG riding. IFYKYK.
A FEW THINGS:
Full Routes Coming Soon
The final 100-mile and 100K routes are still being polished. We're actively working through a few last access agreements and route refinements before releasing GPX files and detailed maps.
The Distances Are Approximate
If anything, expect the courses to run long. We're not interested in forcing the route to hit an arbitrary mileage target if it means skipping something special. Our goal is to show you the best riding the Red River Gorge has to offer, and sometimes that means adding extra miles to make it happen.
“But I’ll admit the scale requires something like atonement...
Get your $#!% together, Ted, $#!% is coming down.
And I’m riding bikes!
I’m riding bikes!”
What this is/ain’t.
You'll have three drop bag locations, emergency responders on standby, 5 well-stocked aid stations and rider extraction available for non-medical DNFs. You're not completely on your own out there.
That said, this is not a full-service MTB race. There is no mechanical SAG, no roaming support vehicles, and parts of the course pass through remote areas with limited or no cell service.
You should arrive prepared to handle mechanicals and ready to take care of yourself. Show up with a self-supported mindset and a willingness to embrace the adventure. Please.
FAQ
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Variety.
We'll publish the breakdown of pavement, gravel, doubletrack, and singletrack once the routes are finalized.
There's a fair amount of super-fast pavement juxtaposed with challenging doubletrack that can lean techy.
Same can be said for the punchy climbs vs the flats you can hammer.Some sections are fast. Some sections are beautiful. Some sections will keep you humble.
We'll be sharing course videos, photos, and route previews throughout the summer, so be sure to follow our social channels if you'd like a better sense of what you've signed up for.
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You'll encounter just about every surface imaginable over the course of the day. Smooth blacktop, fast gravel, chunky doubletrack, creek crossings, railroad grades, singletrack and hike-a-bikes.
We've seen everything from drop-bar rigids to full-suspensions out here. It really comes down to your strengths and what's in the garage. That said, a hardtail or gravel bike with suspension is probably the sweet spot.It’s worth mentioning - we witnessed more than a few meltdowns from drop-bar riders during the original RRGMTB100 - but maybe they were just having a moment.
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You're allowed 3 drop bags total. They can be sent to any of the 5 Aid Stations. The locations/distances will be listed when the course(s) are finalized.
Use a 1-gallon Ziplock bag only per drop bag. Clearly label your bag with:
+Bib Number
+Name
+Intended Aid StationDrop bags must be turned in before the race start and will be returned to the Start/Finish area following the event.
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Every Aid Station will have the essentials to help keep you moving:
Water
Electrolyte drink (brand tbd)
Basic grab-and-go calories (sweet and salty options)
Friendly volunteers and free encouragement
Beyond that, each Aid Station is being hosted by local businesses and community partners who are there to help you. Many are planning to go above and beyond with their own spin on things.
Think:
Donut holes
Iced coffee
Hot food
Music
Local treats
Unexpected surprises
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Don’t quit.
If you do quit - you'll be responsible for notifying race staff and making your way to the nearest accessible Aid Station.A rider extraction shuttle will be available for non-medical DNFs throughout the event thanks to 41301 Rentals and Shuttle.
Riders choosing to withdraw will contact the shuttle provider directly to coordinate pickup. Response times will vary depending on location, course conditions, and demand.Please note that there is no mechanical SAG support. Riders are expected to handle basic mechanical issues and be prepared for long stretches of remote terrain with limited or no cell service.
Medical emergencies are handled differently and will be coordinated with local emergency services and race staff as needed.
The short version: We'll help where we reasonably can, but this is still an adventure. Show up prepared, ride smart, and have a plan if your day doesn't go exactly as expected.
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You'll have earned it.
Stick around for the post-race party and a meal from Hop's - longtime favorites in the Gorge and masters of feeding hungry racers.
It's a chance to swap stories, relive the day's highs and lows, celebrate new friendships or repair old ones, and celebrate doing something remarkably hard. -
Red River Gorge has just about every type of lodging you can imagine, from cabins and tiny houses to hotels, glamping, and campgrounds. Our friends at Red River Gorge Vacations have put together a great collection of options, and they've hooked up RRGMTB100 riders with 15% off! Use code RRMB15 when booking.Check out all the options here - redrivergorgevacations.com/lodging
If camping is more your style, check out our host campground for the race - Land of Arches. They're also one of your aid station stops, with easy access to all the race weekend festivities. landofarches.com
The RRGMTB100 wouldn't exist,
without the support of the community it travels through. From local businesses hosting Aid Stations and opening private land for race-day access, to volunteers, emergency responders, and tourism partners helping behind the scenes, this event is a true community effort. Their support allows us to showcase parts of the Gorge most riders never get to experience while helping get you safely to the finish line.
Interested in Getting Involved?
We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to be part of this. Whether that's providing rider support, donating products, sponsorship, volunteering or bringing energy and promotion to the table, we're all ears.
Our goal is to create an unforgettable rider-experience, so let's talk!
Support the Folks Who Make Riding Possible
We're proud members of KYMBA Bluegrass, and we're grateful for their support of the RRGMTB100. More importantly, we're grateful for the work they do year-round advocating for mountain bike access and building sustainable trails throughout our home state.
If you enjoy events like this and want to help ensure more opportunities to ride in the future, consider becoming a member. Strength in numbers matters. Be sure to select KYMBA Bluegrass as your local chapter.
An origin story… about a decade later.
We were getting in a RRG ride out on Fixer, a friend happened to be wearing her original RRGMTB100 shirt from 2017, and before long we were reminiscing about just how much fun that race had been!
Someone tossed out the idea that 361° should bring it back. We laughed. Then we kept talking. Then we couldn't stop thinking about it.
A few conversations later, original Race Director Chris Chaney gave his blessing to revive the event. The Red River Gorge community started showing up. Landowners opened gates. Our people got excited. Local businesses volunteered support.
And just like that, the RRGMTB100 had a second life.
We're proud to make this revival happen - it's been one of Kentucky's most memorable mountain bike adventures and we intend to carry it forward in the best possible way.