Rexy is here to do exactly that - 208 miles of incredible adventure Desert Gravel "Like no other on Earth"
Want to break it down a bit?
Round up three kick-ass friends
carve her up into "bite-size" chunks
and relay as a team of 4!
Entry cost $248. An adventure you won’t soon forget! Click the pic for details, map & elevation profile
Entry cost $500 – Think 208 miles divided by 4 is easy? With over 11,400′ of climbing think again. We promise you’ll each get your $125 dollars worth!
Click the pic for a detailed map and elevation profile
Add incredible views and a never-ending variety of terrain
11,400′ of climbing
And that my friends is one hell of a gravel day!
This ain’t no Kokopelli trail
DESERT GRAVEL “Like no other on Earth!”
The VIBE
Technically speaking, Rexy is a race. As with all ultra-endurance challenges through it really is about the journey – the adventure, the finishing! So yes, if you are a world class bad-ass athlete Rexy welcomes you with tiny little T-Rex arms and a mouth full of huge teeth! Come out and throw it down! We’ll have amazing awards for the overall winners. Crowing the Queen and the King of the desert as well as age group placers too.
For everybody else we welcome you not so much with the tiny arms and giant teeth but with the huge heart that it takes to power such a monster! Your competition isn’t so much about you versus Rexy as it is about you versus you. When the sand gets deep, the road goes straight up and the sun goes down we want you to forget about the monster and dig deep inside you, perhaps deeper than you ever have and find within you the strength to Get It Done!
Whichever group you find yourself in we can promise you three things.
1-We’ve done everything we can to provide an incredibly exciting, challenging and inspiring event.
2-Whether you are the first to arrive or the last, when we hang that finishers award around your neck you will absolutely know you’ve accomplished something special.
3-When the dust settles, the soreness fades and the red is finally gone from your socks the memories from your day in our desert will be there for a long, long, long time.
The General Rules *Full details can be found in the “Racers Bible”
In the spirit of ultra-endurance and gravel racing, an element of adventure and self-sufficiency is required while riding/racing Rexy. In the spirit of the above, desert etiquette and rider safety being paramount riders helping one another and looking out for each other is critically important and encouraged.
Therefore riders helping riders is absolutely allowed. Otherwise, riders taking ANY help or aid outside of any of the 5 official aid stations is absolute grounds for disqualification.
We will NOT rescue you. In the spirit outlined above, this is an epic adventure and you need to take care of yourself! Every rider MUST have a designated person in attendance that you can call should you need help or support. 90% of the Rexy course is within 15 miles of an I-70 exit. 90% of the Rexy course is accessible by car and 100% is accessible by a car with all-wheel drive and moderate ground clearance. Lastly, Desert Gravel will have a limited number of “support for hire” services available through a third party. Any rider calling for, or accepting any of the outside support outlined here will be disqualified from the event.
Cutoffs. To be an official finisher you must cross the final, not timed, finish line in less than 24 hours. Corresponding aid station cutoff times will be established to make this schedule for aid station #2, #3, #4, #5 and the timing finish. Course marshalls determination on these matters shall be final.
Desert Gravel will provide 5 official aid stations. Aid stations will be stocked with water and nutritional supplementation supplied by Skratch Labs. Electrolyte replacement drink and bars/snacks. Additionally, aid stations will either be crew accessible or have drop back options for riders to receive additional support for specific needs.
Riders MUST carry a modern GPS enable computer with routing capabilities. Rexy will NOT be signed or marked. Desert Gravel will provide the current race file GPS for the exact course prior to the event.
Riders MUST have lights front and rear, from start to finish of the race. Everyone will start in the dark and all but the very fastest riders will finish in the dark. Not having lights illuminated during legal dark hours will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
Riders MUST wear a currently approved helmet anytime you are on your bike from start to finish. Period.
Course Details
This 208-mile route has it all – Starting in downtown Fruita, Co. You’ll head north to the desert and then west into the Bookcliffs and it’s incredible desert.
The first 40 miles to aid #1 are rolling hills and flat(er) sections, giving you plenty of time to find your groove.
From aid #1 you’ll climb more, cross the border into Utah and move onto a higher platau as you head to aid #2 at 78 miles.
From aid #2 you are now far enough west to see the La Sal Mountains near Moab and glimpses of redrock canyon country to the south as you continue your western assault. You will climb steadily to mile 96 at which point you’ll dive straight south to aid #3 at mile 109. Located right of I-70 this is a great spot for crews bringing you smiles and moral support!
From aid #3 it’s west again across Danish Flats (look for antelope). You’ll pass two of our most iconic Desert Gravel features – “Endless” and “Eternal” both worthy of a quick selfie stop. From there it’s a steady climb to mile 128 then a short reprieve to mile 134. Now it’s time to earn Rexy’s respect as you climb the penultimate section at mile 140, at almost 30% grade you’ll feel her teeth! Nice and steadily up to the course high point (just under 6,000′) to mile 144. Then, a very well earned long downhill. At mile 148 you’ll pass incredible ancient Native American rock art, 6′ tall red drawings, worth a quick stop. Then on to aid #4 at Tompson Springs!
Aid #4 Mile 151 Tompson Springs. Another good spot for crew, complete with a gas station.
From aid #4 enjoy six miles of asphalt to regroup and get set, then a small bit of climbing as you turn north, away from Moab at Cresent Junction. A beautiful jaunt into the bookcliffs for the last time on this trip! On to the final aid #5.
Aid #5 Mile 170 Ruby Canyon Rd. This is it. Your last aid station. A last chance to check your lights and your gear as you likely head off into the sunset or dark… A comfortable wide and steady gravel road for about 14 miles south, southeast until you turn due south, and, you guessed it… Climb. A steady push into the sandstone and desert surrounding the infamous Dubinky well. A picturesque windmill spot in the light at mile 191. With only 7 miles to go until the timing finish, you might breathe a sigh of relief. But hold tight, immediately after the windmill you’ll likely be introduced to the beautifully challenging red sand of Moab. Rexys last chance to pull you down! Have faith, it doesn’t usually last too long but it can be deep and tough. Keep your eyes peeled straight ahead to slightly left for the lights of the timing finish. Yes, that’s it, at the TOP of the hill!
Official Timing Finish Mile 198. Turn left, into Lone Mesa GROUP Campground and log your official race time. But don’t doddle, you don’t want to cramp up now, it ain’t over, yet!
Catch your breath, check your lights (Mandatory from this point onward, front and rear), and remind yourself race pace is over, now it’s about making it safely to the finish line! Leave the campground and head east a few hundred yards to the beautiful pavement of hwy 313. Time to get your wits about you, you’re close to civilization and will be rolling with car traffic! The good news is that the climbing is DONE and it’s a lot of downhill to the finish! 9 miles hang a right on the bike path, right past the giant dinosaur park, 1 mile up the path to the lights and the party of the official finish line! Mile 208. Done and Dusted. Rexy will be there waiting with the beer, the family, and all your new Desert Gravel friends. CONGRATS – that was one hell of a day!!!
Aid at miles 41, 78, 109, 151, and 170. You’ll find the support you need to take on this rugged monster.
“Friend” takes on an entirely new meaning once you’ve survived in the desert with someone. That is why we created the Rexy Relay! Whether you are looking to break it down and hammer it out as fast as possible or, better yet, share this incredible route and adventure with your bestie gravelers. The Rexy Relay will not be forgotten.
Before we get to the course here is the low down on how the relay works.
Two team options.
1 – Women only (You know how we love our “Gravel-Girls” at DG).
2- Any other group of 4 in the “Open” division.
In either case you compete as a team of 4. The rules are simple. You must all check-in and be I.D.d together. You will receive 1 timing chip and 4 number plates. You can only change riders (relay) at any of the 5 official aid stations. You must check into and out of each official aid station with your timing chip and, if changing riders the chip must change with them. Your strategy and who rides what and where is up to you. No rider (other than the one currently racing) or crew is allowed anywhere on the route except official aid stations. The rider riding the last official section from aid #5 to the timing finish will also be the only rider allowed to ride from the timing finish to the official finish. At the official finish all team members must be present to receive recognition of being an officially finishing team. Overall awards will be presented to the top three open teams and top three woman teams. All finishing team members will receive an “I survived Rexy” award.
Course Details
This 208-mile route has it all – Starting in downtown Fruita, Co. You’ll head north to the desert and then west into the Bookcliffs and it’s incredible desert.
The first 40 miles to aid #1 are rolling hills and flat(er) sections, giving you plenty of time to find your groove.
From aid #1 you’ll climb more, cross the border into Utah and move onto a higher platau as you head to aid #2 at 78 miles.
From aid #2 you are now far enough west to see the La Sal Mountains near Moab and glimpses of redrock canyon country to the south as you continue your western assault. You will climb steadily to mile 96 at which point you’ll dive straight south to aid #3 at mile 109. Located right of I-70 this is a great spot for crews bringing you smiles and moral support!
From aid #3 it’s west again across Danish Flats (look for antelope). You’ll pass two of our most iconic Desert Gravel features – “Endless” and “Eternal” both worthy of a quick selfie stop. From there it’s a steady climb to mile 128 then a short reprieve to mile 134. Now it’s time to earn Rexy’s respect as you climb the penultimate section at mile 140, at almost 30% grade you’ll feel her teeth! Nice and steadily up to the course high point (just under 6,000′) to mile 144. Then, a very well earned long downhill. At mile 148 you’ll pass incredible ancient Native American rock art, 6′ tall red drawings, worth a quick stop. Then on to aid #4 at Tompson Springs!
Aid #4 Mile 151 Tompson Springs. Another good spot for crew, complete with a gas station.
From aid #4 enjoy six miles of asphalt to regroup and get set, then a small bit of climbing as you turn north, away from Moab at Cresent Junction. A beautiful jaunt into the bookcliffs for the last time on this trip! On to the final aid #5.
Aid #5 Mile 170 Ruby Canyon Rd. This is it. Your last aid station. A last chance to check your lights and your gear as you likely head off into the sunset or dark… A comfortable wide and steady gravel road for about 14 miles south, southeast until you turn due south, and, you guessed it… Climb. A steady push into the sandstone and desert surrounding the infamous Dubinky well. A picturesque windmill spot in the light at mile 191. With only 7 miles to go until the timing finish, you might breathe a sigh of relief. But hold tight, immediately after the windmill you’ll likely be introduced to the beautifully challenging red sand of Moab. Rexys last chance to pull you down! Have faith, it doesn’t usually last too long but it can be deep and tough. Keep your eyes peeled straight ahead to slightly left for the lights of the timing finish. Yes, that’s it, at the TOP of the hill!
Official Timing Finish Mile 198. Turn left, into Lone Mesa GROUP Campground and log your official race time. But don’t doddle, you don’t want to cramp up now, it ain’t over, yet!
Catch your breath, check your lights (Mandatory from this point onward, front and rear), and remind yourself race pace is over, now it’s about making it safely to the finish line! Leave the campground and head east a few hundred yards to the beautiful pavement of hwy 313. Time to get your wits about you, you’re close to civilization and will be rolling with car traffic! The good news is that the climbing is DONE and it’s a lot of downhill to the finish! 9 miles hang a right on the bike path, right past the giant dinosaur park, 1 mile up the path to the lights and the party of the official finish line! Mile 208. Done and Dusted. Rexy will be there waiting with the beer, the family, and all your new Desert Gravel friends. CONGRATS – that was one hell of a day!!!
Aid and relay exchanges miles 41, 78, 109, 151, and 170. You’ll find the support you need to take on this rugged monster.
When it is safe to visit the desert AND you promise to follow the state, regional and local rules regarding COVID-19 and always respect social distancing we’re willing to share the entire Rexy course. Provided in aid station to aid station segments. Also, these segments reflect the race day segments and location changes for relay teams.
Before we do – two HUGE disclaimers.
1- We’ve gone to extreme lengths to design this course. It takes the best, most interesting, challenging and scenic route. While the roads are public these maps are proprietary to Desert Gravel, llc. Please respect our work and this public land when you ride it.
2- The desert is an extreme environment. There is NO SUPPORT and NO WATER out there! You are using these maps at your own risk and we take no responsibility for what may happen to you out there. If you use one of our maps you are acknowledging and accepting these risks and releasing us from any and all liability. Getting lost, getting injured, suffering dehydration are real possibilities and you are responsible for yourself. Before you go we strongly advise you to study your ride, have a bale out plan, let someone know where you are riding and when you’ll be back. Carry twice the water you think you will need and if you’re going long find someone to meet you along the way and resupply.
P.S. share your feedback and have a blast.
CLICK ON A PIC TO GET A SAMPLER MAP
These first few miles of gravel can be busy with the MTB traffic and some remote residential traffic until you get beyond 16 road (Route mile 18). Use extra caution as you enter, ride on, and exit state highway 139. Route mile 24 – 25.
The hills in this section are few, but punchy, with long flat sections as you go west after highway 139. (You could also drive to the intersection on Highway 139 to shorten or split the ride.) Overall a pretty easy going fun ride.
Segment highlights are our beloved Colorado-Utah border crossing (made famous by our spring race Co2uT) at mile 5, a great selfie stop. A potential “Raptor Trap” (deep sand pit) at mile 27 and the Rexy courses second steepest climb at mile 38. The roads through this segment can be more technical than others and short sandy sections can appear at any time. Pay attention. Which is hard with all the scenery and views along the way!
This segment begins at race day mile 77.5 aid station #2 and ends 32 miles later at aid station #3 race day mile 109.5 You lose almost 1,000′ more than you gain but you’ll swear you climbed much more. The climbing and upper Bookcliff section from today’s mile 15-18 are one or Desert Gravel founder Morgan Murri’s favorite. “Along this section, I am always reminded how much higher I am, how incredibly remote and beautiful it is here, with the towering cliffs on my right and the desert floor far below to my left.” “And, for the first time, you’ll realize you are actually making headway towards Moab as the La Sal Mountains are suddenly, much closer!”.
Other segment highlights are. More incredible views and the awesome 11 miles of downhill into the aid station (watch for the major Raptor Trap sandpit as you leave the private land area at mile 20). Look out for the very sharp right turn (you’ll likely have your head down and going fast) at mile 22.
**** This Segment recon includes a 2.5 mile out and back section you won’t do in the race. It’s a turn out at mile 36.5 that you just have to check out. The view is one of the best in the world and it’s the perfect place to take a break and take in the view.****
This is segment is THE BEST of Rexy. Leaving the buzz of I-70 and all the energy that will come with it on race day you’ll soon be lost in the most desolate section of the desert. Amazing that antelope abound in this section as even the sagebrush struggles to hang on.
The highlights abound and we highly recommend you use this training/recon ride to get all the photos that will tough to take mid-race. Starting at mile 7 with “Endless” the iconic example of weird desert art and a selfie MUST. 2 miles later you can’t miss “Eternal”. Now time for your head down and grind it out while saving all your energy for what’s to come. As you roll past mile 25 and begin to climb towards the Bookcliffs the chasm looms. At mile 29 you’ll enter Rexys lair, a tight dark canyon with only one way out. Up, straight up at mile 30. Race day mile 140, this one is THE BEAST, “Don’t let her get you!” Fret not, it’s over quickly (kind of) and the rest of the gain is gradual and beautiful. Don’t miss the “not in the race” secret out and back view spot at mile 36.5. WORTH IT! And it’s all downhill now anyway. Last but absolutely not least is the ancient Native American rock drawings on both sides of the road at mile 40 (ya gotta stop and check it out. 6′ tall, red and incredible) you’ll see the parking area and fencing. Now asphalt all the way to Tompson Springs and the end of this segment.
Finally, an easy segment! On race day this will be an intentionally inserted super mellow section to regroup and recover from what you just climbed up and over. Asphalt from Tompson Springs to super quirky fuel stop at Cresent Junction. (complete with aliens and desert rats!) Hard to believe you could jump on the highway and be in Moab in 35 miles. But no! You get to take the scenic route. Turning north instead of south you’ll get to ride a short hidden gem of a gravel road back into the Bookcliffs for the last time. Hopefully, on race day it will still be light when you get here so you can see it!
Short and sweet but worth the recon, just so you know what you may not see! You’ll know you’re close when you see and hear the buzz from I-70 which you’ll cross over as you hit aid station location #5. Race day last stop for support!
The final push. This is it. We wish we could say it was easy, but it isn’t. The good news is, it’s not super hard and it is fun!
You’ll leave the final aid station on a big, firm, gravelly road, it rolls a bit but not much climbing for the first 14 miles – 1/2 the total section. You then turn hard right and, you guessed it, climb. It is steady and very manageable and tops out at mile 20. Soon after you’ll see (or hear, on race day in the dark) the infamous Dubinky windmill. A beautiful, historic spot that’s been pumping water out of the sand since the 1930’s! Another worthy selfie shot. Then comes time to buck up one last time as you’ll very likely encounter the deep red sand that does a great job of sucking at your wheels and your strength. Have heart it doesn’t last long. And now it is a beautiful gradual rolling climb right up and into (yes you turn into it) the Lone Mesa GROUP Campground – There is also a Lone Mesa Campground so pay attention. Take in the view. The sandstone cliffs to the north and the looming La Sal Mountains, now to the East. On race day the clock stops here. But your journey is not over yet.
In daylight this is a beautiful segment. With incredible views of Arches National Park, La Sal Mountains and passing the world renowned mountain biking area, Navajo Rocks. It is good asphalt with a decent shoulder. There is a tight S turn area from mile 4.5 – 5.5, take it easy. And, a railroad crossing just before turning onto the bike path at mile 8.8.
Just prior to the intersection of Highway 191 you will turn south onto the bike path. In hommage to her name sake you’ll pass right by the Dinosaur park as you spin to the finish.
The official finish line is at the parking area of Gemini Bridges and Seven Mile RV park.
THAT IS A WRAP!!! Now, all you have to do is connect every segment together in one very long and inspiring day! Congrats.
A few words from Desert Gavel and Rexy creator Morgan Murri
“I grew up in one of the most remote desert locations in the country, a couple of hundred miles from here in a tiny little spot called Bullfrog on the shores of Lake Powell. A one-room schoolhouse, kindergarten – 8th grade with about 30 kids. I was lucky enough to end up in Vail Colorado and became a diamond and gem buyer and was blessed with a job that allowed me to travel the world. Always an adventurer and eventually an ultra-endurance athlete I’ve race across the US, Europe, a little in Asia, and Africa. From the lows of Death Valley to the highest dunes in the Sahara desert to the highest of Colorado’s Rockies. However far I roamed – this Ut. Co. desert is where I call home. In my opinion, it is as unique and as beautiful as anywhere on the planet.
As my dream of sharing my love for this place begin to take the form that was to become Desert Gravel I searched for the ideal venue to do the two things I love most. Complete immersion in the incredible beauty here – while challenging ones self against an incredibly difficult environment and distance. Not only does Rexy exceed my wildest imagination. It connects two of the coolest towns I know by gravel bike!”
2021 Solo Participant Limit
25 Woman and 25 Open Teams
FUN METER
Hours to get it done!
1 – This is a “Point to Point” event. You begin in Fruita, Colorado, and ride 208 miles to Moab, Utah.
2- Of course it is hard. It is 208 miles and gains more than 11,000′ of elevation. That said the roads are GREAT! This is a “Gravel Race” and not mountain bike style technical terrain. Terrain sample videos can be found here.
3- We have 5 full aid stations. They are stretched out and approximately 35-45 miles apart.
4- There is a time limit and cutoffs but we want you to finish! You have 23 hours and 59 minutes to get it done. This is approximately 9 mph.
5- This is an ultra-endurance adventure event. In this spirit, you are on your own between aid stations. ALL participants must have someone on hand to rescue you should you need help or extraction from the course. (And to get you home after you finish!) Receiving ANY outside aid or support, except from other participants, is not allowed and grounds for disqualification from the event.
6- There are two options for participation. Solo. Or, a relay team of up to 4 riders. Relay teams will be either A, all female members, or B, any other combination of up to 4 riders. Only 1 relay rider rides at a time. Relay teams may exchange riders only at any one of our 5 official aid stations.
7- This is a race. Awards (very cool awards) will be given to all finishers and Solo overall male and female top 3 finishers and “age-group” top three finishers. Team awards will be given to the top 5 teams in each of the two categories.
8- This is much more than a race. This is a true desert adventure! YES, you can come out to crush it. More importantly, you can come out to this incredible part of the world and test yourself. You against you in a most beautiful place and end up in Moab Utah.
9- Crew support at aid stations is allowed. We encourage them to be there for you for additional support, both nutritional and moral!
10- Yes, we will have a kick-ass celebration and awards party on Sunday at the finish!
We are optimistic that by the fall 0f 2021 Covid-19 will be much, much less of an issue. We will keep our Covid-19 refund policy intact you can find it here full policy here. If needed we will have face coverings, social distances, and group mitigation policies in place to protect you the riders, and our communities.
We know that crappy feeling… You get it, you pull the magic lottery ticket and then you scramble for a place to stay. Nothing but No-Vacancy everywhere you look.
Not here. With more than 2,000 local hotel rooms, hundreds of short-term rentals and plenty of camping at both the Fruita start town and Moab finish town. Our Fruita lodging partner visitfruita.com will be offering discounts to racers and on the Moab end we will have a limited but very special lodging opportunity. Stay tuned!
This event starts and ends in world-class cycling venus. We strongly encourage you to make this a destination event/vacation, something for your entire family or ride group. We can’t even begin to list the road, mountain, and gravel cycling opportunities. Let alone the hiking, climbing, sightseeing, dining, camping, exploring opportunities.
Additionally, we’ve structured this route to have easy access to Interstate 70. As a rider, you will feel like you are absolutely in the middle of nowhere. The reality is aid stations are not far from the roadway and allows easy access for your family/crew to follow the event and support. In doing so, they will end up in Moab too. Lastly, as you are required to have a support person in the region anyway your shuttle/transportation needs are built in.
Aid stations for the course easily accessible and do allow access for the crew, friends, and family for outside support. These defined locations can be found above in the course info. Within these open-access aid stations, riders are allowed and encouraged to meet with their crews and families for mechanical, nutritional, and moral support!
Beyond these defined ‘open access’ aid stations All courses are closed to outside support and riders are not allowed to accept support, crew or aid outside of ANY designated aid station.
At Desert Gravel we want riders and their support to be involved and part of the action. We also want to honor the adventure of gravel riding and the self-reliance appeal of the sport. For these reasons, WE WILL NOT RESCUE YOU. All riders MUST HAVE a designated crew person on hand and available to retrieve a rider that needs assistance. If a rider does receive this outside assistance they become disqualified from the event.
Please take the time to review your course, develop a support and crew plan and determine at which open access aid stations you would like your crew to meet you. Crew suggestions and directions to open access aid stations can be found in the riders’ bible.
Aid stations. All aid stations have water, hydration drink, and an array of snacks and energy nutrition provided by Skratch Labs. Aid stations are approximately 40 miles apart.
We want you to have your family or friends cheer you on and provide additional support. Aid stations are crew accessible. These “crew accessible” aid stations are the ONLY place riders are allowed to receive outside support. Crew on other parts of the course is not allowed and taking outside support (except from a fellow rider) is grounds for disqualification.
Rexy will not be marked. GPS is a mandatory requirement for all riders. Rexy takes place on open, active roads. You are required to obey all traffic laws and ‘rules of the road’ – such as staying on your side of the road and paying close attention on tight turns, curvy segments and always being on the lookout for oncoming traffic. Don’ t let the remote nature of this event or your location lull you into a sense of forgetting that others may be just around the corner and coming your way!
GPS Map Files and cue-sheets (turn by turn directions) will be available electronically for download and will be emailed to racers. You should print these and carry them with you. You should also provide copies for your crew and designated support person.
Downloadable GPS files will be provided to all racers and should be shared with your crew.
Swag and Awards.
Great swag – we love it. Bad swag, turns into rags to clean your bike with. We are all about GREAT swag.
Every rider receives – A cool t-shirt you’ll actually be proud to wear. Socks that are better than the shirt and a course-specific finishers’ award that you’ll want to show off.
Awesome awards – Solo Age group awards (each 10 year bracket). 1st, 2nd, 3rd places receive an award that will become coveted and iconic in the gravel world.
Queen and King of the Desert overall awards for solo and team categories as well as top five overall finisher in the solo and two team divisionsl
Beer. A lot of excellent beer for all of those riders 21+ and plenty for purchase for family and crew.
Food. Finish line recovery, snacks and calories to get you back up and active.
Plenty of extra tees, socks, hats and jerseys for sale for you and/or your family and crew. So you can all go home and show the world that you came to the desert and conquered Rexy, Queen of the Desert!
This is a gravel event. Our top choice is a gravel bike. Getting low, and grinding out the miles happens faster and more comfortably on a gravel-specific bike.
That said – If you want to ride your mountain bike, no problem. No big rocks, drops or ledges (that’s mostly on the other side of the highway) so lockout suspension or a hardtail would be ideal.
Tire size is a big debate in today’s gravel. These courses, on most days, are smooth enough for anything in the 30’s. We personally like 38’s -42’s for the extra absorption and float if the sand comes out. We’ll keep course conditions updated as the race date approaches.
208 miles on a flat road is hard. 208 miles of almost all gravel and dirt, with over 11,000′ of climbing? She’s tough!
But, that is the point after all. Right? Rexy is your chance to define your new “possible” It can be done, comfortably (as comfortably as 200 mile rides can be) within the 24 hour time limit by riders that have prepared correctly. We know, we’ve done her ourselves, many times. We have a generous cutoff time of 24 hours because we want you to finish. Yes, it’s freaking hard. Yes, there are some epic, steep climbs that most of you will have to walk portions of, but you will be rewarded with breathtaking views and an accomplishment you will NEVER forget. If that sounds like too much, or you just aren’t sure. We have the answer – relay it!
What makes Rexy hard other than the distance?
One of the unique aspects of riding here is elevation gain comes in short, abrupt climbs, generally steep and rarely over 1/2 mile long. When you think about 11,400′ feet of total gain that means there are a lot of short little punches out here. You can see a good example of a very steep climb in this video clip
Depending on the recent weather we can also have none – some sand. The challenge isn’t that the sand is for long sections. Actually, it is just the opposite – It comes without notice and in areas you might not expect. It can be deep and quickly take charge of your front wheel. You can see an example in this video.
And in between? is sweet, rolling, beautiful gravel that allows you to chew up the miles and get’r done.
Such a great question – The national definition of the term is anything from not quite asphalt to just short of single-track.
Desert Gravel is this. We ride on 4 types of road – in order of most prevalent to least.
1- 70% ‘dirt’ to ‘actual’ gravel. Desert, hardpack dirt with gravel and very fine crush rock mixed in and, occasional segments of sand. Width ranging from single-lane to wide double lane. These roads range from regularly maintained to seasonally maintained. The texture from very smooth to moderate washboard.
2- 15-20% Hardpack – less packed dirt road. (primarily on the 3 longer courses). Narrower, ‘jeep’ style road (no double track, all are actual road) comes into play higher in the hills with more climbing, and descending, rolling terrain. Some sections of these roads can also be sandy when the weather has been dry for long periods of time. The opposite can be true with extensive rain creating challenging, sticky mud.
3 – 5% Primary county maintained true “gravel” road. Well-maintained, wide, smooth, fine gravel roads. We’ll also put old deteriorated state hwy 50 road into this category. Low or no maintained old asphalt road, plenty of gravel and potholes in sections. In the 175 and 125 mile courses these few sections will be much appreciated for a reprieve from the ever-changing terrain most of the course enjoys.
4- Paved, current, modern asphalt road and hwy. The departure from Fruita and the 8 miles after the timing finish to the overall finish is paved road. And, about 7 miles after aid 4 is too. (Trust us. a bit of pavement after 150 miles is an awesome break for a spell.)
What you won’t find here. There is NO single-track. There are no “rock gardens” (yes, rocks can be anywhere on a rural road) – but there are no segments, or sections covered/littered with medium to large rocks.
#1 Gravel Road
Fruita, Grand Junction, and Moab, Ut.