The Rides I’m Dreaming About This Year
Owning GravelBike.com has turned me into a full-time gravel-ride-daydreamer.
Instead of cleaning my bike, I keep finding myself thinking:
“Where do I really want my gravel bike to take me in 2026?”
So I finally wrote it all down.
This is my personal gravel bike bucket list for 2026 — the rides and races I’d love to line up for. Some are legendary U.S. gravel events. Others are once-in-a-lifetime international adventures. I probably won’t ride them all in one year (unless I magically become a full-time gravel nomad)… but this is the dream lineup.
If you’re planning your own 2026 gravel bike trips, feel free to steal ideas — that’s half the fun.
How I Chose My 2026 Gravel Bucket-List Rides
Any ride that made this list usually checks at least three boxes:
✔ A legendary reputation in the gravel world
✔ Scenery that makes you stop pedaling just to soak it in
✔ A welcoming gravel community vibe
✔ A real physical challenge (but not only for pros)
✔ Travel logistics that are realistic for normal humans
Let’s start in North America before we head overseas.
🏁 North American Gravel Icons I Want To Ride in 2026
Unbound Gravel — Emporia, Kansas
If gravel has a “world championship,” this is it.
Unbound rolls through the Flint Hills on routes from beginner-friendly to 350-mile ultra-epic. The remoteness, the Kansas wind, the chunky rock… it all adds up to something special.
Why this is on my bucket list
- It’s the spiritual heart of gravel riding
- The scenery is simple — and stunning
- I want to see how my brain works at mile 130
My 2026 plan: Probably the 100 or 200. I respect the XL, but I also enjoy sleeping.
SBT GRVL — Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs is already a cycling dream town — then you add world-class gravel routes winding through ranch land and mountain valleys.
Why this one matters to me
- Big-sky views everywhere
- A legit endurance challenge
- Huge inclusivity & community energy
This feels like the perfect late-summer A-ride to build toward.
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder — Central Oregon
A 5-day gravel stage race where you move camp-to-camp across forests, mountains, and high desert?
Yes. Please.
Why it’s here
- Equal parts adventure + endurance
- Beautiful terrain variety
- Camp vibes + gravel friends for a week
If I pick one “experience ride” for 2026… this might be it.
Lost and Found Gravel Festival — Portola, California
Northern Sierra Nevada. Forest roads. Old rail grades. Big mountain air.
Why I want to ride it
- Multiple distance options
- Not-too-crazy logistics
- A relaxed festival feel
Feels like the perfect early-summer test ride.
Crusher in the Tushar — Beaver, Utah
Shorter mileage. Massive climbing. High altitude.
This ride does not lie to you.
Why I’m drawn to it
- Total climbing challenge
- Beautiful Utah terrain
- Forces real fitness
Big Sugar Gravel — Bentonville, Arkansas
Rugged Ozark gravel + late-season fitness check.
Why I want to close the season here
- Bentonville is a gravel hub now
- The terrain looks raw and beautiful
- Perfect October motivation
- Relatively close to my home in Colorado
Call it my season finale.
Rule of Three — Bentonville, Arkansas
One bike. Three surfaces. Road + gravel + singletrack.
Why it stays on my list
- Forces bike-handling skills
- Strategy matters
- Looks ridiculously fun
Also… another reason to hang in Bentonville.
Rebecca’s Private Idaho — Sun Valley, Idaho
A multi-day gravel experience built around community, riding, and doing good.
Why it matters
- Gorgeous Idaho backcountry
- Distances for everyone
- Gives back to the Be Good Foundation
Feels like a ride + vacation combo.
Gravel Worlds — Lincoln, Nebraska
Pirate vibes. Long rolling gravel. A legit endurance challenge.
Why I want to go
- Unique culture & theme
- 150 miles of challenge
- Friendly Midwestern community energy
Plus… sword trophies.
Barry-Roubaix — Michigan
One of the largest gravel races in the world.
Why it’s in the mix
- Massive rider turnout
- Classic gravel race energy
- The perfect early-season wake-up call
Exactly the type of test I need after winter.
🌧 Muddy, Gritty, Early-Season Gravel Classics
Rasputitsa — Vermont
Cold. Muddy. Honest.
Why it’s appealing
- Embraces the chaos
- True adventure spirit
- Vermont gravel is magic
At least one ride a year should make you question your sanity.
Mid South — Oklahoma
Red clay. Weather roulette. Huge heart.
This one just feels pure gravel.
Old Man Winter Rally — Colorado
Road + gravel + snow + grit.
The perfect way to shock the body out of winter mode. My hometown event.
🌍 International Gravel Adventures I Dream About
The Traka — Girona, Spain
Girona is cycling heaven — cafés, warm weather, and rolling gravel that goes forever.
I’d aim for the 200 km. The 360+ ultras can wait (for now).
RADL GRVL — Australia
Vineyards. Adelaide Hills. Sunny gravel.
That’s enough for me.
Migration Gravel Race — Kenya
A multi-day race across Maasai Mara landscapes.
This one feels sacred. If I do it, I want to do it right.
The Rift — Iceland
Black volcanic gravel. River crossings. Epic landscapes.
A true bucket-list ride.
Dirty Reiver — United Kingdom
Moody skies, remote forest gravel, and long miles.
Feels like pure adventure.
Titan Desert Morocco
More MTB than gravel — but still calling my name.
Stage racing through the Atlas and Sahara?
That’s a story you tell forever.
Other Rides Calling My Name
These also sit high on my 2026-plus radar:
- Appalachian Journey — Virginia
- More Michigan gravel weekends
- Ultra-distance Traka (someday 🔥)
How I’ll Actually Plan My 2026 Gravel Season
Here’s how I’m trying to be realistic:
Pick 1–2 “A” Events
Likely:
- Unbound
- A stage-race-style event like Oregon Trail or RPI
Add Early-Season Motivation Rides
To force winter training.
Choose 1 Dream Adventure Trip
Europe, Iceland, Africa, or Australia. This will likely be a last minute, that’s an amazing deal on airfare, do it type decision.
Build Training Blocks Backward
12–16 weeks per A-event.
Document Everything
Because other riders are planning too.
Expect more posts here on:
- Tire choices
- Gear setups
- Packing lists
- Honest event recaps
Why I’m Sharing This Here
Partly accountability.
Partly inspiration.
Partly because gravel riding is better when we share the adventure.
And maybe you’re sitting there building your own 2026 gravel bike bucket list.
If so — tell me:
👉 What’s your dream gravel ride for 2026?
Drop it in the comments — I’d love to build this into the best gravel trip guide anywhere online.
| Event | 2026 Date | Event Website |
|---|---|---|
| Unbound Gravel (Emporia, KS) | Late May / First weekend after Memorial Day (Exact TBD) | unboundgravel.com |
| SBT GRVL (Steamboat Springs, CO) | June 25-28, 2026 | sbtgrvl.com |
| Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder (OR) | July 8-12, 2026 | oregontrailgravelgrinder.com |
| Lost and Found Gravel Festival (Portola, CA) | June 12-13, 2026 | lostandfoundbikeride.com |
| Crusher in the Tushar (Beaver, UT) | TBD 2026 (Typical Spring) | tusharcrusher.com |
| Big Sugar Gravel (Bentonville, AR) | October 18, 2026 | bigsugarclassic.com |
| Rule of Three (Bentonville, AR) | May 17, 2026 (Traditional May date – TBD) | ruleofthree.bike |
| Rebecca’s Private Idaho (Sun Valley, ID) | September 9-12, 2026 | rebeccasprivateidaho.com |
| Gravel Worlds (Lincoln, NE) | August 21-23, 2026 | gravelworlds.com |
| Barry-Roubaix (Hastings, MI) | April 18, 2026 | barry-roubaix.com |
| Rasputitsa (Jay Peak, VT) | TBD 2026 (Usually Spring) | rasputitsadirt.com |
| Mid South Gravel (Stillwater, OK) | March 2026 | themidsouthgravel.com |
| Old Man Winter Rally (Lyons, CO) | Feb 2026 | oldmanwinterrally.com |
| The Traka (Girona, Spain) | TBD Spring 2026 | thetraka.com |
| RADL GRVL (Adelaide & McLaren Vale, AUS) | January 2026 | radlgrvl.com |
| Migration Gravel Race (Maasai Mara, Kenya) | June 17-20, 2026 | migrationgravelrace.com |
| Cuckoo Iceland (Gravel Earth Series) | June 28, 2026 | gravelseries.com |
| Dirty Reiver (UK) | April 2026 (TBD) | dirtyreiver.co.uk |
| Titan Desert (Morocco) | April 26–May 1, 2026 | titandesert.com |