Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic: Grasshopper #4
About
Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic
Join us for an epic adventure starting in Ukiah, CA and winding its way through the amazing hidden landscapes of Mendocino County. This new Hopper mostly takes place on private Mendocino Redwoods property, offering a one-time opportunity to explore new terrain. With three course options, this event offers something for every level of rider. Additionally, this year’s Ukiah-Mendo Hopper will be the first race in the NCNCA Gravel District Championship.
The Course
We will start with a neutral lead out at Todd Grove Park, with the race starting after we hit Orr Springs Rd. This quiet Mendocino County road climbs 1,800ft over the first 9 miles before dropping into the Orr Springs area and rolling along Montgomery Woods State Reserve. From here, riders will climb to the Comptche/Orr Springs Rd and Low Gap Rd. Between mile 20-22 you’ll gain 600ft before making the turn onto dirt on Low Gap Rd, where you’ll continue on dirt for the next 10 miles. Beginning at mile 22, you will climb from 1,100 ft to the intersection with Miller Ridge. This year, we have a contract with MRC (Mendocino Redwood Company) to use their land. From mile 31.3 to 44 we are on private property that is not open for pre-riding. From here you have a ripping 13 mile gravel and paved descent to the finish.
NOTE: This route is only open to registered riders on the day of the event and the weekend before, as a majority of the course rides through private property with a limited-use permit.
NCNCA Gravel District Championships
Ukiah-Mendo Grasshopper will be the first NCNCA Gravel District Championship race. You will need a USAC License to compete for the District Championship. You do NOT need a USAC license to ride in or compete for the Grasshopper Adventure Series. This will be a “race within a race”. We will have a mass start as in previous years. Riders will be scored in 5 year bracket as per USAC. The Grasshopper Adventure Series points will be in 10 year bands i.e. 19-29, 30-39 etc. as we have been doing for years. Details to follow.
The Moriah Wilson Foundation
A portion of the proceeds of this event will go to supporting the Moriah Wilson Foundation. Moriah was an inspiration to everyone in the NorCal cycling scene and we miss her so.
“Our hope is to carry on Moriah’s vision to strengthen communities, and to love and live deeply. In Moriah’s words, ‘When you love something to the point where you’re fully committed, the risk becomes irrelevant. Because if you fail, it will have been worth it. The process and all that comes along with it is more important, in the end.’”
Hoppers have always been about community, adventure and personal challenge, and we’re honored to hold this event on the same date as Moriah’s ride in Vermont.
To learn more and to donate, go to the Moriah Wilson Foundation.
What to Ride?:
It’s a Hopper, what can we say?! There will always be times you feel like you’re on the wrong bike 😉 This is definitely a gravel bike event. Long course is smooth pavement from mile 33-50. The ideal set up depends on your strengths/weaknesses. The best choice would be tires with slight tread and small side nobs. Ideally 40-42. Several of us have ridden the course recently and this was perfect!
Long and Medium Course Aid Stations:
Long Course:
Aid Station 1: Mile 15.8
Aid Station 2: Mile 32 (Bottle drop ONLY at Aid Station 2)
Aid Station 3: Mile 57
Mediano Course:
Aid Station: Mile 15.8 (NO bottle/bag drop!)
Bottle Drop: If you wish to leave a bottle with your name clearly labeled on it you may leave it with the
NorCal BikeSport van at the start. (Bottle/Bag drop ONLY at Aid Station 2, No hand-ups) .
Short Course Rest Stops:
Aid Station: Mile 10
NO bottle/bag drop!
Venue:
Registration, Staging/Start, and After Party is at Todd Grove Park
Tent Camping:
Tent camping is available on the baseball field at the end of the Anton Stadium Parking Lot
Van Camping:
Van camping is available in the Anton Stadium Parking Lot
Multi-Participant Discount
Carts with three or more people get you 5% off per rider. No code needed.
Watcha' Get:
- A crazy hard, super fun adventure with a bunch of your new and old cycling buddies.
- Feed zones with Skratch and GU Energy Labs hydration & nutrition. Presented by Trailhouse, NorCal Bike Sport, and Bike Peddler.
- Awesome prizes at the finish from our generous sponsors.
- Event timing and results.
- Hot coffee and fresh baked pastries from Black Oak Coffee Roasters the morning of each event.
- Delicious lunch, cold Guayaki and Best Day Brewing beer at the finish.
- Podiums for Top 3 All Categories long courses, and for Top 3 M/F/NB Overall short courses.
- Cash prizes for Top 3 Pro M/F Overall.
- Emergency Medical Support en route.
- Unforgettable stories of adventure.
- Free event photos from FinisherPix.
For more information visit the event page on our website and the FAQ on out “About Us” page
Register
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Registration Closes April 23, 2025Pro Men$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 2025Pro Women$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 2025Junior (U19) Men$90.02$82 + $8.02 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 2025Junior Women$90.02$82 + $8.02 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 2025Non Binary$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202519-29 Men$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202530-39 Men$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202540-49 Men$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202550-59 Men$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202560+ Men$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202519-29 Women$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202530-39 Women$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202540-49 Women$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202550-59 Women$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
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Registration Closes April 23, 202560+ Women$180.13$165 + $15.13 Movemint FeeSunday, April 27, 2025
Series Passes
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Series Pass
28th Annual! The World’s First and Longest Running Gravel/Mixed-Terrain Adventure Series
5 Gravel, Pavé, MTB, Mixed-Terrain Adventure Rides and Races
2025 Pricing:
$650 (Save $150) by registering for the Series Pass
What’s a Hopper?
We’ve always counted on riders to describe a Hopper. But here’s what we’ve come up with: “Grasshoppers are eclectic mixed-terrain (yes there’s lots of “gravel” but in NorCal that doesn’t really sum up the terrain) adventure rides and races created to push riders to the limit without pushing them over”. And to take ya’ll to really cool places and shred on two wheels!Ride or Race?
Yes! It’s up to you. We have a podium for top 3 in all categories, but if you’re in for the adventure and exploration, we say “ride on”.How do I compete for the Series overall?
Series Points: Overall Points Leaders will be calculated in the following manner: 1st 60pts. 2nd 55 pts, 3rd 51 pts. 4th 48 pts. 5th 46 pts. 6th 45 pts. 7th 44 pts. (-1 per placing to 1 pt.). The rider with the most points at the end of the series will be the winner. Your top 4 finishes will count towards your final standing. All riders who wish to compete for the Hopper Super Hero King of the Universe title in their age groups must finish at least 4 Hoppers. If you do all 5 your lowest result will be dropped. For Series Points riders must do the long course in Huffmaster and Ukiah-Mendo Epic and King Ridge. You must also attend the Series Finale King Ridge on May 10 in order to be eligible for the Series Overall Podium.Lake Sonoma MTB will be +5 points towards series overall in all categories. ie. 1st=65, 2nd=60 etc.
Can I transfer my entry to another rider?
No. Riders who purchase the discounted Series Pass may not sell or transfer their entries to individual Hoppers. Individual entries may be transferred to another rider via Movemint. Fee is $10.
Series pass includes:
● Low Gap: Grasshopper #1
● Huffmaster: Grashopper #2
● Lake Sonoma MTB: Grasshopper #3
● Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic: Grasshopper #4
● King Ridge: Grasshopper #5
Donate
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Donate to The Moriah Wilson FoundationA portion of the proceeds of this event will go to supporting the Moriah Wilson Foundation. Moriah was an inspiration to everyone in the NorCal cycling scene and we miss her so! Our hope it to help with Moriah’s vision to strengthen communities and love and live deeply. In Moriah’s words “When you love something to the point where you’re fully committed, the risk becomes irrelevant. Because if you fail, it will have been worth it. The process and all that comes along with it is more important, in the end.” The Hoppers have always been about community, adventure and personal challenge and we’re honored to hold this on the same date as her ride in Vermont. To learn more and to donate go to the Moriah Wilson Foundation.
Course Maps
Event Location
Todd Grove ParkSponsors
