riders manifesto

Welcome to Your Ultimate VG Guide
This guide is your all-in-one resource for finding success at VG. Inside, you'll find everything you need to prepare for the rigors—and the revelry—of the experience:

Whether it's your first gravel race or you're a seasoned veteran, this guide will help ensure you're ready for the ride.

Courses

30 Miler 1335ft

The 30-mile Village Gravel course is a scenic yet approachable route, blending rolling gravel roads, forest views, and a taste of high-country adventure perfect for both new and seasoned riders.

RIDE WITH GPS
STRAVA

60 miler 4619ft

The 60-mile Village Gravel course delivers a true endurance challenge, with long stretches of rugged gravel, steady climbs, and sweeping high-country views that showcase the best of Flagstaff riding.

RIDE WITH GPS
STRAVA

100 miler 6042ft

The 100-mile route is the ultimate test, rewarding determination with a full-day journey across Flagstaff’s most beautiful and diverse gravel terrain.

RIDE WITH GPS
STRAVA

Note: All courses are subject to change due to road conditions.

fat tire crit

A high-speed dirt criterium under the lights. Short laps. Tight corners. Constant action.

Four heats.

15 minutes each, ¼ mile laps.

Categories: Beginner, Intermediate, Elite

Short dirt circuit. Fast, tight and fully closed.

Built for racing and spectating.

Friday, August 21, 2026

First Heat: 4:00 PM

Limited spots. Secure your start.

Fat Tire Crit Registration

Schedule of Events

Friday AUG 21, 2026

3:00pm - 4:00pm: Assos Shake Out Ride Meets at Assos Cabin on Partner Row

4:00pm - 7:00pm: Packet pick up Village Camp Patio

4:00pm Faast Tent’s “Wax Your Chain”

6:00pm: Fat Tire Criterium Starts at Clubhouse

7:30pm: Crit Awards and Pre-Race Rider Meeting on clubhouse patio

6:00pm: Live DJ on Patio

Saturday AUG 22, 2026

6:00am: Three Ridge Coffee Truck Open

7:00am - 7:30 am: Late Packet Pick Up

7:30am: 100-mile riders START TIME

8:30am: 60-mile riders START TIME

9:30am: 30-mile riders START TIME


12:30pm: Finish line party begins - Live Band, finish line interviews, brews, food, recovery parties, etc.

1:30pm: - 30-mile Awards

2:30pm - 60- mile Awards

3:30pm: 100-mile Awards

Raffles & Prizes
Awards for the fun/quirky categories

1:30 pm POOL PARTY starts

4:30pm: Post-awards party kick off on the lawn with live bands

7:00pm: Endurance Film Festival Featuring

“Tailwinds” origins of Blank’s Sports Nutrition: A Flagstaff Company

“Pursue Your Thrill” - PYT Oaxaca Smith Optics Short

“The Trails Before Us” Rez Endro presented by Specialized

Sunday Aug 23, 2026

8:00am: High Country Adaptive Sports Benefit Pancake Breakfast

8:30am: Enve Shakeout Ride Hosted By Enve Composites

9:30am: Kids Race hosted by HCAS

10:30am: Say your goodbyes to all your new friends.

Essential Info and FAQs

Important Notes

This is not your average day on gravel.
Stay sharp. Stay focused. This course throws down technical terrain you won't find on most gravel routes. You'll be tested — mentally and physically.
If you're head-strong and leg-strong, you'll pass. And you’ll be damn proud when you do. As you should be.

NAVIGATION & COURSE INFO

  • Study your route ahead of time. Pay attention to Aid Stations, technical descents, singletrack entries, and more.

  • All routes have signage at tricky intersections, turns, and all singletrack sectors.

  • Gravel and single track sections and turns are marked — but please download the course just in case.

  • Please do not drive on the course, and please be respectful to rural locals out on the roads. You may give food and drink to your rider, but ONLY at official aid stations.

ROAD CROSSINGS & SAFETY

To build what we believe are the best VG courses ever, we included a few small state highway crossings.
These are not closed roads — you must obey all traffic laws.
Blowing stop signs, cutting blind corners, or riding wide across the road cresting a climb is not just reckless — it puts others at risk.
We want you celebrating safely at the finish line — don’t ruin that for yourself or anyone else.

COURSE ETIQUETTE

  • Wave.

  • Be courteous.

  • Respect everyone on course — we don’t own these roads or trails.

  • Village Gravel runs on the ethos: kindness, community, and respect.

  • If that’s not your vibe, VG is not your place.
    If it is — you’re family.

TIME LIMIT

We ask all riders to finish within 8 hours for safety and support reasons. Please plan accordingly.

CUT OFF TIMES

100-mile Course:

  • 12:30pm - Mile 27 Aid Station

  • 2:30pm - Mile 47 Aid Station

  • 3:35pm - Mile 62 Aid Station


60- mile Course:

  • 12:30pm - Mile 27 Aid Station

  • 2:30pm - Mile 47 Aid Station

Awards

A Variety of Rad Sponsor Awards will be handed out at a ceremony to take place after the finish of the 100-mile course.

CATEGORIES / AWARDS INCLUDE:

  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finisher (per distance/category)

  • 100 Miler last place GRIT award  - $200  Thunder Mountain Bikes gift card and a pair of Smith Optic Sunglasses 

  • Most denim worn (during ride) - Squirrel Nut Butter Adventure Pack and Absolute Bike Shop Ripton Jorts

  • Best dirt “tan lines” - Zealios Sunscreen and Body Care Package (crowd vote)

  • Best “Outfit” (must wear during ride, and at ceremony) - Specialized Search Helmet (crowd vote) 

  • Oldest and Youngest Rider - Specialized Search Helmet

  • Furthest traveled (to reach event) - Specialized Search Helmet

  • Most SnapSquash Selfies (Posted on IG) - Theragun Mini Recovery Tool donated by Elevated Care Impact AZ

  • Cry Later KOM/QOM (Strava account required) -  Custom VG/Cry Later riding bag brought to you by Cry Later Supply.


FAQS

  • Phoning a friend is the best option. There will be a sweep but you might be waiting a while and they might not have space for you and your bike.  

    If you DNF please email audra@villagegravel.com right away so we don’t send out a search party.

  • We will be celebrating podiums 3 deep for each distance/category, We reserve the right to combine categories due to lack of racers or make more categories if one group has a much larger representation.

  • Village Camp Flagstaff: Arizona’s newest outdoor cabin & RV resort. Create your perfect getaway at Village Camp Flagstaff. Your mountain basecamp includes modern amenities like our luxury clubhouse with a bar, bistro, general store and event lawn. Kick back at the mountain-view outdoor pool (seasonal) and year-round hot tub between your Northern Arizona escapades. We can’t wait for you to experience the Village Camp way.

    Cabins and RV spots are booking up fast for race weekend. Use discount code VG2026 or use the link below to get 5% off your accommodations.

  • Yes, there is dispersed camping off of FS 171. Please be a steward of the land and leave it in better condition than when you arrived.

  • There is limited parking inside the Village Camp. Event parking will be located in the area around the resort. Please follow parking signs and parking attendant's directions. Please be respectful of Village Camp Guests and don’t park in cabin or RV sites unless you are staying there.

  • Yes. Aid stations will be stocked with Skratch Hydration and Energy Chews (variety of flavors), Blanks Gel and Hydration Mix, Pretzels, Chips, Twizzlers, Gummies, Cookies, Bananas, and Pickles/Juice.

  • Race packets include one beer ticket redeemable at the Wanderlust Brewery Tent and one hot dog/hamburger ticket redeemable at the grilling station.

    Other options for food and beverage include “Not your Routine Poutine”, “Rosa Mexicano” and the Village Camp Resort Bistro Bar.

  • Click here to register them for the Kid’s Camp.

  • Interested in participating in other challenging Gravel cycling events across the state, the chance to be crowned the “Arizona Gravel Series Champion”, and getting in on a raffle to win an ENVE MOG Frame?

    Check out the Arizona Gravel Series!