Inaugural Mammoth Tuff Gravel Race Set for Mammoth Lakes, CA on September 19, 2020

Registration opens February 21st for 45- and 100-mile courses

Mammoth Lakes, California - As John Muir said, “The mountains are calling,” and Mammoth Lakes is the gateway to mountain adventure. This famous quote is printed on an enormous sign at the entrance to town and reminds every visitor of the adventures that await. On September 19, 2020, this iconic mountain town is hosting a gravel event, Mammoth Tuff.

David Sheek created this event with his partner, Amanda Nauman, to share the adventures they have cherished around Mammoth Lakes and as a thank you to the town that has given them countless memories. With more than six years racing at gravel events across the country, during the pivotal rise of the discipline, and years of training and exploring the Eastern Sierra playground, Sheek and Nauman have built a TUFF adventure for all to experience. “These are the roads I’ve trained on to prepare for some of my biggest goals and I want to share the magic and see who’s “tuff” enough to join me,” said Nauman.

Tuff (tuf) is a general term for all consolidated pyroclastic, volcanic rocks. The name, Mammoth Tuff, is a nod to the Long Valley Caldera and the volcanic stone that defines ‘gravel’ in the area. The caldera was formed about 760,000 years ago in a volcanic eruption from which the magma still underlies it, heating underground water and fueling hot springs the event will ride by. The short course is around 45 miles with 2,000 feet of climbing and will circle the famous caldera. The long course is around 100 miles with 8,000 feet of elevation gain and travels through the Volcanic Tableland formed by the Long Valley Caldera. Prepare to be transported back in time on an old stagecoach route used by miners and even further back past Native American petroglyphs left by ancestors of the Paiute-Shoshone tribe.

Mammoth Tuff is partnering with the annual Oktoberfest Festival in the Village at Mammoth to provide a full weekend of activities and an unforgettable party. The weekend will begin with a shakeout ride for those in town, registration, and the infamous “Bier Mile Run” on Friday. Of course, there will be a category for fastest beer mile and TUFF finisher, known as the BUFF, with the proceeds going to the Mammoth Track Club. The two available event distances on Saturday will offer a challenge for everyone. Concluding the event, when riders earn their TUFF badge, the Oktoberfest celebration will be waiting with open arms. Sunday morning will be a storytelling mingle and awards ceremony for the “tuffest” of folks.

Registration will open on February 21, 2020 at 8am PST and is limited to 850 participants. Entry fees will be $75 and $180 for the respective distances.

Our great country has taken liberty to protect the public lands throughout the Eastern Sierra and preserve the vast playground for future generations of explorers, naturalists, and visitors. Because of this, 10% of the entry fee will go directly back to the land. As riders wind through wide open roads on seemingly forgotten land, they will take pride in knowing they are giving back to the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. “This land is our land,” after all.

Outstanding brands in the cycling and the outdoor industry have agreed to partner with the event in its inaugural year. Look out for sponsorship announcements and details on camp experiences to be offered in conjunction with the event.

Find more information and sign up to stay informed at mammothtuff.com

Registration opens February 21st for 45- and 100-mile courses