Gravel
Gravel Bikes built for Boulder, CO and everywhere
All terrain, all the time.
We planted the seeds of Sports Garage’s culture, literally, in the dirt.
Gravel cycling in Boulder, Colorado has always been here (though you may have laughed at the bikes we were riding in 1994). Bikes specifically for gravel eventually caught up to our community’s love for exploring off-road. Now we demo and build gravel bikes with the passion for adventure that founded SG.
Guide to Gravel Biking Routes in Boulder
Gravel riders from all over the country come to Boulder to explore the endless off-road cycling terrain in our backyard; from smooth rolling gravel roads to fast, flowy singletrack, gravel cycling in Boulder has it all. Our routes will help you explore all the best the County has to offer, with options appropriate for first-time gravel riders through elite athletes. Each route has a Gravel Grade and a Challenge Rating.
Gravel Grades:
- G1 – Smooth gravel with very few loose rocks. Tires in the 28-32mm range are suitable and a gravel or endurance road bike can comfortably cover this terrain.
- G2 – Expect slightly rougher roads with potential for looser gravel or even smooth doubletrack. Tires 32-36mm are recommended.
- G3 – A combination of gravel roads with the potential for somewhat challenging doubletrack and smooth singletrack mixed in. A gravel bike with 38-40mm tires is recommended.
- G4 – Routes include unmaintained roads, some singletrack and challenging climbing and descending. A gravel bike with 40mm+ tires is recommended.
- G5 – May include deep ruts, rugged 4×4 roads, loose and rough descents. A minimum 40mm tire on a gravel-specific bike is advised for these routes.
All routes start and finish here at Sports Garage. Feel free to stop in with questions or get a quick bike check before you roll out. Our staff will help point you in the right direction, including where to find all the best mid-ride slices of pie. We’ll see you where the pavement ends.
Routes
Easiest
The Poorman
18.3 miles
Distance
1,593'
Elevation
G1
Gravel Grade
G2
Challenge
Enjoy the calm climb up the Boulder Creek path, free of cars and full of views of towering rock walls. Be careful crossing Boulder Canyon and enjoy the serene views on 4-Mile before turning hard right and climbing up the punchy Poorman Rd. climb. You'll enjoy a twisty road descent down Sunshine Canyon before gently pedaling along the Wonderland Creek Path in the foothills and returning back to the shop.
See the Route
Buffalo Classic
41.0 miles
Distance
1,707'
Elevation
G1
Gravel Grade
G2
Challenge
An ultimate classic of Boulder gravel riding, this route utilizes the entirety of the famous Boulder Roubaix race course. These are the serene, rolling roads that have been the training grounds of some of the biggest names in American cycling over the last several decades.
The route undulates through northern farm roads with incredible views of the foothills and plenty of sights to see along the way, including a massive bison ranch and the iconic giant cowboy statue. Stop for a snack at the Hygiene Market at mile 22 for a halfway snack or coffee and enjoy the peaceful ride home.
See the Route
The route undulates through northern farm roads with incredible views of the foothills and plenty of sights to see along the way, including a massive bison ranch and the iconic giant cowboy statue. Stop for a snack at the Hygiene Market at mile 22 for a halfway snack or coffee and enjoy the peaceful ride home.
Intermediate
Camello
42.5 miles
Distance
4,655'
Elevation
G2
Gravel Grade
G3
Challenge
Named after its rather lumpy profile, El Camello starts out navigating the calm and scenic gravel roads near the Boulder Reservoir. You'll then hit fast and flowy singletrack at Boulder Valley Ranch before the first big climb up to Joder Ranch, a steep and sometimes loose gravel push.
Enjoy the singletrack descent through the woods before linking up with Old Stage Road and the gravel climb up Wagonwheel Gap, one of the best little gravel climbs in town. You'll then climb steep and winding pavement up Sunshine Canyon before descending Poorman Rd. and finishing on Chapman, a 1,000' gravel climb that's completely closed to cars.
Enjoy the descent down Flagstaff and cruise back to the shop for a brew downtown.
See the Route
Enjoy the singletrack descent through the woods before linking up with Old Stage Road and the gravel climb up Wagonwheel Gap, one of the best little gravel climbs in town. You'll then climb steep and winding pavement up Sunshine Canyon before descending Poorman Rd. and finishing on Chapman, a 1,000' gravel climb that's completely closed to cars.
Enjoy the descent down Flagstaff and cruise back to the shop for a brew downtown.
Challenging
Sweet Magnolia
47.4 miles
Distance
6,225'
Elevation
G3
Gravel Grade
G4
Challenge
That sweet, sweet, Sugar Magnolia is calling your name! Bring the climbing legs and lungs, you'll be spending most of this ride above 8,000' but the views and terrain will be well worth the effort.
After a calm start up Boulder Creek Path to 4 Mile Canyon, this route hits one of the best climbs in Boulder County – Logan Mill. You'll climb the steep gravel switchbacks before connecting to Sugarloaf Rd., making your way further west before rolling into the small hippie town of Nederland.
Refuel in Nederland and continue on to one of the crown jewels of Boulder Gravel – Magnolia Road. Take in the views as you undulate downhill back towards Boulder along the incredibly steep and tight switchbacks of Magnolia road.
Be careful on the 6 mile stretch along Boulder Canyon and turn off to the final climb of the day – Chapman Drive. Dig deep on this last 20 minute steady climb before descending down Flagstaff and back to town.
See the Route
After a calm start up Boulder Creek Path to 4 Mile Canyon, this route hits one of the best climbs in Boulder County – Logan Mill. You'll climb the steep gravel switchbacks before connecting to Sugarloaf Rd., making your way further west before rolling into the small hippie town of Nederland.
Refuel in Nederland and continue on to one of the crown jewels of Boulder Gravel – Magnolia Road. Take in the views as you undulate downhill back towards Boulder along the incredibly steep and tight switchbacks of Magnolia road.
Be careful on the 6 mile stretch along Boulder Canyon and turn off to the final climb of the day – Chapman Drive. Dig deep on this last 20 minute steady climb before descending down Flagstaff and back to town.
The Peaks
47 miles
Distance
5,804'
Elevation
G3
Gravel Grade
G4
Challenge
Variety is the name of the game here, as this route services up a challenging smorgasbord of all things gravel.
You'll start the day with a grunt up the steep pavement of Sunshine Canyon before descending the dirt of Poorman Rd. to connect to 4 Mile Canyon. From here, enjoy the quiet and steady gravel climb up the canyon before reaching the small town of Sunset.
From here, things get spicy. You'll make a left up the South side of an old gold mining road – Switzerland Trail. Expect sustained rough, chunky, off-road terrain as you continue to climb on this old 4×4 road.
After crossing Peak to Peak Highway at 9000', enjoy the fast and swooping gravel turns of CR103. It might be short, but this little slice of heaven is one of the best lesser known gravel roads in the area.
Descend down Sugarloaf Rd. (spoiler alert: there's a climb on this descent) before turning off on Logan Mill for a technical and fun gravel descent before returning back the way you came on 4 Mile and Sunshine.
See the Route
You'll start the day with a grunt up the steep pavement of Sunshine Canyon before descending the dirt of Poorman Rd. to connect to 4 Mile Canyon. From here, enjoy the quiet and steady gravel climb up the canyon before reaching the small town of Sunset.
From here, things get spicy. You'll make a left up the South side of an old gold mining road – Switzerland Trail. Expect sustained rough, chunky, off-road terrain as you continue to climb on this old 4×4 road.
After crossing Peak to Peak Highway at 9000', enjoy the fast and swooping gravel turns of CR103. It might be short, but this little slice of heaven is one of the best lesser known gravel roads in the area.
Descend down Sugarloaf Rd. (spoiler alert: there's a climb on this descent) before turning off on Logan Mill for a technical and fun gravel descent before returning back the way you came on 4 Mile and Sunshine.
