SBT GRVL Returns with Changes Intended to Minimize Disruptions to Local Community

With the fifth in-person edition of SBT GRVL less than three weeks away, a sense of collective excitement is building among both participants and the race organizers. The final schedule of events for race weekend has been posted, and the race courses were revealed on Thursday, August 1.

Nevertheless, anyone on the receiving end of correspondence from the Colorado gravel race may have also noticed a marked tone of restraint and caution accompanying the normal pre-race hype.

It’s been a tumultuous past year for the organizers of SBT GRVL.

Last year, a small but vocal group of rural Routt County residents complained that the event is both disruptive and disrespectful to the local agricultural community. The complaints were at times contentious, and SBT GRVL’s co-founder Amy Charity and other SBT GRVL staff held multiple public listening groups to try and both gain an understanding and quell any misgivings that people had about the event.

At times, it was uncertain if SBT GRVL would receive the necessary permits to hold the event on August 18, but ultimately the beloved Steamboat Springs race got the green light from the Routt County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 4.

Nevertheless, the discussions with various stakeholders and local groups over the past 11 months have resulted in significant changes across all aspects of the event this year.

According to Charity, the primary focus of this year’s event is to minimize disruption to locals and the rural community, increase safety, improve rider conduct, and improve communication.

“We are relieved and excited to bring SBT GRVL back this August to my hometown of Steamboat Springs,” Charity said.

“The entire SBT GRVL team has worked tirelessly to create an event that holds true to the GRVL values that we have fostered over the past several years, while also solving critical issues that were causing unrest among members of the local community. We have listened respectfully and have collaboratively identified solutions to reduce the disruption to local community members.”

Here’s what riders — and residents — can expect at this year’s event.

Improved Communication Measures to Increase Local Awareness

According to GRVL Events, SBT GRVL’s parent company, the event organizers have communicated directly with residents ahead of this year’s race, providing detailed information about event logistics, safety measures, and changes to prioritize community welfare. This has been done through postcards, personal visits to all on-course residents, and the aforementioned listening sessions in north and south Routt County.

Notably, the event will also host a ‘command center’ and hotline during the race weekend that will allow local residents to contact the SBT GRVL team in real time.

“This, together with increased investment in information sharing via on-course signage and advertising with local media outlets, will ensure that all residents are aware of the approaching event and where to source relevant information in relation to courses and increased cyclist traffic,” GRVL Events said.

Route Changes and Respect the Routt Campaign

One of the chief complaints about last year’s event was that two-way cycling traffic disrupted traffic patterns on main thoroughfares. This year, numerous changes have been made to the Red, Blue, and Black routes to eliminate two-way rider traffic and avoid main traffic arteries and intersections.

SBT GRVL will still features four course distances, ranging from 37 to 125 miles, but three are new and explore the more remote and less trafficked western and southern areas of Routt County. A significant increase in signage will also be present on the route with messaging to riders and rural residents.

Furthermore, while SBT GRVL will occupy its normal spot on the calendar this August, the event has “agreed to voluntarily move the race away from Routt County Fair weekend for 2025 and beyond.”

The race’s date was also a significant issue for some local residents, who argued that it was very challenging to get to and from the fair, an important cultural and economic event for the rural community.

In addition to new courses, SBT GRVL has launched the Respect the Routt campaign to improve rider conduct. Every registered rider will be required to pledge their commitment to the SBT Gravel Oath which promotes respectful rider conduct.

A Redesign of the Pre-race Event Schedule

SBT GRVL has become as known for its pre-race festivities as it is for the gravel race. This year, in an attempt to minimize disruption to residents, there will be a number of significant changes to the event schedule in the days leading up to the race, and rural activities will be minimized.

The number of official shakeout rides has been reduced from 11 to two in order to decrease large groups of cyclists on rural roads. Riders on either of the two shakeout rides will be required to sign waivers and wear wristbands to identify them as official event participants. Furthermore, the ‘command center’ will be operating during these rides.

To replace the canceled shakeout rides, other brands and partners will host activities in downtown Steamboat Springs at the Expo.

Some of the activities at the two-day Expo on Yampa Street include: a toddler race with Alpine Bank, a FLM FST presented by Outside at the Bud Werner Memorial Library, Yoga with Old Town Hot Springs, and Panels with Professional Athletes and Ride for Racial Justice.

Additionally, everyone is encouraged to attend the costume-themed HLL CLMB on Howelsen Hill on Friday night.