Sasquatch Duro

Top 10 North American Gravel Fondos for 2025

Top10-North-American-Gravel-Fondo

You've all heard of Garmin UNBOUND, Crusher in the Tusher,  BMC Rock Cobbler, Gravel Worlds, Barry Roubaix, Rebecca’s Private Idaho Sun Valley, SBT GRVL and Mid South. They have established themselves as Premier Gravel rides / races in North America, recognized around the world. They have entered our Hall of Fame,

Perhaps the greatest appeal is the adventure inherent in riding dozens of miles in remote locations without having to worry about cars.

The established North American gravel rides are weekend long festivals attracting thousands of riders with inclusivity encouraged. All ages, juniors and the whole LGBTQ+ community. Equality reigns, all genders in the North America ride the same distance and equal prize money.

Gran Fondo Guide has reached its 13th year of operation and is the undisputed Leading Amateur Cycling Platform in the World having reached a global audience of nearly 5 million unique users.

In 2025 we want recognise these events that are achieving so much -- on their journey to the Hall of Fame.

Make sure you add at least one of these outstanding events to your Bucket List in 2025!

The awards are best viewed on your computer or a widescreen tablet. It may take some time fully download because of the amount of images. So grab your favorite drink while it arrives. If you have any difficulties with any of the DISCOUNT CODES from January 1st, then please email us at granfondoguide@yahoo.com.

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#10 Real West Gravel

The inaugural Real West Gravel p/b USWE Hydration Packs, ignited the North West cycling community's passion for adventure with an unforgettable course!

This relatively new gravel ride showcases the untapped grandeur of Eastern Oregon with its rolling hills and quality gravel into a space that very few have ridden before. The second edition takes place March 16th, 2025.

Set amidst the rugged beauty of Pendleton, Oregon which is 3 hours away from Portland, Boise, and Spokane, and 4 hours from Bend, lucky participants will strike gold with this ride with the extraordinary adventure as you immerse yourself in a place entrenched in the History of the Real West.

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#9 Gravel Locos

One of Texas’s Premier Gravel Rides, where everybody is somebody! The event raises money for the Hico Volunteer Fire Department.

Gravel Locos Hico returns in 2025 for its 5th edition with four-course options through the heart of Texas heartland in Hico, Texas which is 70 miles northwest of Waco. 

Routes range from 34 to 157 miles and up to 7,000 feet of elevation gain. The first course is non-timed and non-competitive, whereas the longer three options are competitive.

All courses primarily gravel, with strep climbs that reach 20% and includes several water crossings. 

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#8 Vermont Rare Gravel Ride

An epic day of riding in Southern Vermont which should not to be underestimated. A Rare Adventure you won’t want to miss.

Event organizer and long-time KMS coach Jack Bailey started the event over a decade ago and built a great grassroots gravel ride that raises money for a worthy cause.

The 11th edition of Vermont Rare takes place October 4th, 2025 from Peru, VT. The course is an epic day of riding in Southern Vermont, with a great mix of classic dirt roads, limited amounts of tarmac and many challenging off-road segments, tough climbs in the forest, technical muddy sections and beautiful scenery, all the elements of a classic dirt ride in the making.

This is a rare opportunity to support an important cause while doing what you love!

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#7 Stetina’s Carson City Paydirt

Stetina’s Paydirt is the most untraditional gravel race you’ll ever do. Held in the lonesome Pine Nut Mountains east of Carson City, Nevada. As a part-time lake Tahoe resident, Pete hand selects the courses from his favorite rides.

From the pro peloton to gravel privateer, Peter Stetina’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

As US junior national champion, a decade on the road saw him race all three Grand Tours, multiple world championships racing for pro-teams Garmin-Sharp, BMC Racing and Trek Segafredo.

Pete single-handedly invented the term “privateer”, a real “trailblazer" who carved out his own career in the emerging US and now international gravel racing genre.

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#6 The Last Best Ride

Now in its fifth year, The Last Best Ride is Montana’s premier gravel cycling event dedicated to celebrating community, inclusion and exploring the hidden gems of Whitefish. It's not just a race. It's not just a ride. It's an adventure!

Held annually, this event has become a beacon for cyclists seeking adventure and camaraderie in the rugged landscapes of the American West. 

In 1988, in celebration of Montana's centennial, Annick Smith and William Kittredge published a book titled, The Last Best Place, A Montana Anthology, from which the race gains its namesake. Whitefish in Montana was recently named friendliest city in America by Expedia travellers. The town is the gateway to the Glacier National Park.

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#5 Dirty Pecan

The Dirty Pecan Gravel Ride is a North Florida Institution, a ride as gritty as the roads and as nutty as its name suggests

Started in 2015 and created in the spirit of the great spring monuments, it’s the most unique classic one day Gravel Ride in Florida. The 10th Anniversary edition of the Dirty Pecan Grvl Ride takes place on March 1st, 2025 on the best red dirt roads north Florida and south Georgia has to offer.

Get ready to experience one the most unique gravel rides born in the USA. It’s perfect for the “real adventure seekers” out there. With 75% gravel, you can ride at your own pace or distance and enjoy the scenic views.

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#4 The Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnee

Arguably the oldest and original gravel ride, D2R2 returns to the hill towns of Franklin County, MA next August for its 20th Anniversary, raising funds for the Frankin Land Trust

The Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnee was actually conceived way back the 1990's as just a favorite dirt-road loop in the hilltowns of Franklin County, Massachusetts. First run in 2005, long before gravel “was a thing”, this event is still respected as one of the best in the country.

D2R2 2025 is shaping up to be unforgettable marking 20 incredible years since this iconic ride started. Dreamed up by the legendary Sandy Whittlesey, many have hailed D2R2 as the hardest, most beautiful, most fun, most traffic-free, most unique, and overall best ride that they have ever done.

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#3 TransRockies Gravel Royale Stage Race

To celebrate use code GFGTRGR$100 for $100 off registration fees for Royal Flush solo entries only

Experience the Ultimate Gravel Adventure and Race at the TransRockies Gravel Royale in the heart of the Canadian Rockies on a two-wheeled party with 200 like-minded legends.

The 2nd edition of TransRockies Gravel Royale took gravel stage racing to a new level in 2024 in the remote areas of the breath-taking Rocky Mountains with a real battle over 3 days in both the men’s and women’s categories with some nail biting finishes.

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#2 Oregon Trail Gravel Stage Race

The Oregon Trail Gravel is the undisputed “Grand Tour of Gravel” in the world, America’s Premier gravel stage race.

The all-inclusive Bike Vacation is a five-day event gravel stage race in the hearth of Oregon’s Cascades. . It’s for privateers and adventure riders who want to test their limits and push personal boundaries and attracts riders from over the world with international recognition and participating on the Gravel Earth Series.

Over the course of five days in June last, participants rode through a variety of terrain, from dense forests to wide open valleys, enjoying nature at its finest. This event is not only a test of physical endurance, but also an opportunity to connect with the local community, experience their hospitality, and immerse yourself in the unique culture of the region. 

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#1 Belgian Waffle Ride California

To celebrate use code GFG10 and SAVE 10%!

BWR California celebrates its 14th Anniversary of pedalling perversity in 2025, one of the most unique rides in North America.

Started in 2012 and created in the spirit of the great spring monuments, it’s the most unique one day cycling event in North America. Over 120 miles of suffering over sinuous, bone grinding roads fraught with arduous climbs, mud, chocking dust, leg-numbing sleet or heat, and headwinds.

A ronde replete with waffles, the Hell of the North County included 12,000 feet of elevation and much of it including dirt and gravel sections, steep categorized climbs, stretches of pave, road, creek crossings and unusual surprises that turned many a hardman/women into a crumbling heap of tears.

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