Experience the breathtaking Badlands National Park from the saddle during the Gravel Grinder Series. The series offers four distinct courses, each tailored to different skill levels and preferences, providing an unforgettable cycling adventure through rugged terrain and stunning landscapes. The Long Course, starting at 8 AM MDT on Glen Street in Wall, South Dakota, stretches for a challenging 64 miles. It winds through ranch lands, open fields, and past the park's iconic formations before concluding with spectacular views. Self-serve aid stations ensure you stay hydrated and fueled along the way, while detailed maps guide your journey across diverse surfaces including gravel, mixed terrain, and two-track roads. For those seeking a more relaxed pace or an introduction to off-road cycling, the Short Course begins at 10 AM MDT on Glen Street. This 35-mile route combines paved paths with dirt tracks beneath the Badlands Wall, offering both beauty and solitude. Despite its technical simplicity, wet weather can impact conditions; therefore, alternate routes may be provided. For a true test of endurance, the Pavement Full Forty challenges riders to cover an impressive 38 miles along Highway 240, which traverses the heart of the Badlands. This course is known for its steep climbs and descents up the Badlands Wall multiple times. Comfort stops at aid stations provide essential support. Lastly, the Pavilion Thirty Something is a 31-mile route designed to conquer fears of distance. Starting on Glen Street and ending at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center in Badlands National Park, this course offers convenience with shuttle services available for those who need it. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or new to organized rides, each Gravel Grinder Series event promises a unique blend of scenery, terrain, and camaraderie. Cell phone service is generally good to fair throughout the courses, ensuring that riders can stay connected while enjoying their journey through this natural wonderland. Appropriate tires are crucial for all routes due to varied surface conditions.
Races Offered
Saturday - Full Forty Pavement
Sep 26, 2026
straighten
Distance —
61.1K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
82 days remaining
sell
$80.00
Saturday - Gravel Grinder Long
Sep 26, 2026
straighten
Distance —
109.4K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
82 days remaining
sell
$80.00
Saturday - Gravel Grinder Short
Sep 26, 2026
straighten
Distance —
56.3K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
82 days remaining
sell
$80.00
Saturday - Thirty Something Pavement
Sep 26, 2026
straighten
Distance —
49.9K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
82 days remaining
sell
$80.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Wall.
thermostatTemperature
14.0° / 26.5°
wb_sunnyFeels like
11.3° / 23.4°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
10h 46m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
1.3 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
15.1 km/h (Gentle breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
High
terrain
Course conditions
Hard and dry surface
sunny
Max UV Index
Moderate (5.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
55.3%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
06:29
nightlight
Sunset
18:57
About Wall
Learn more about the host city, Wall.
Wall, South Dakota, "the geographic center of nowhere," is known best to cross-country travellers for its main attraction, Wall Drug. Advertised on gigantic billboards for hundred of miles to the west and east on Interstate 90, the gargantuan drug store has put Wall on the nation's map. There are signs all over the world telling how many miles you are to Wall Drug.
