MACEDONIA GRAVEL

Welcome to the 5th Annual Macedonia Gravel Grinder, an exhilarating gravel race that promises breathtaking views and challenging terrain through some of the Northeast's finest landscapes. This year marks its fifth edition with exciting updates including start-to-finish timed races, ensuring a competitive atmosphere for all participants.
The event offers three distinct categories: Mega, Adventure, and Soul, catering to runners aged 19 and above in various age brackets—19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. The race organizers reserve the right to combine categories based on sign-ups to maintain a competitive field.
Expect well-marked courses with clear signs at all turns. Participants will have access to RideWithGPS event accounts for detailed route navigation via visual and audio cues. Downloadable FIT/GPX files are also available from this account, allowing seamless integration into your bike computer.
Aid stations will be plentiful every 20 miles, stocked with essential items such as GU, Gatorade or Nuun hydration, water, and GU chews & gels. Special treats await at Mile 21, where you can enjoy organic pancakes and real maple syrup. Stations at Miles 45 and 65 offer a variety of refueling options including Swedish Fish, pickle juice, Coke, Clif Bars, and more.
Traffic control will be provided by local police officers at key intersections to ensure smooth navigation through the course. A portion of proceeds from this event supports regional charities like CT Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP).
Custom swag awaits all participants, with details on specific items coming soon. After the race, celebrate with a post-race party featuring live music and delicious food truck fare, including tacos and rice bowls. Enjoy ice cream treats and cold N.A. beer from Athletic Brewing Company while you socialize.
Segment racing remains a feature of this event, allowing participants to track performance in timed segments for bragging rights. Leaderboards will be live, but final reports will only be available Wednesday morning following the race. To participate in leaderboards, ensure your RideWithGPS account is set up with necessary information and visibility settings.
For optimal riding conditions, we recommend tires like Panaracer GravelKing SK 38mm or 40 mm for navigating the wide variety of unpaved surfaces that can get particularly rocky during extended miles. Traditional road bikes with slick tires are not recommended due to the challenging terrain.
Volunteers are needed and appreciated; sign up here on BikeReg if you can dedicate a few hours at an aid station, earning one of our event shirts and free entry into the post-race awards party complete with food and drinks. Local non-profit groups may also run aid stations as fundraisers.
Join us for this unforgettable gravel racing experience that promises to challenge and inspire runners from all walks of life!