Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic: Grasshopper #4
About
Ride Details
Join us for an Epic adventure starting in Ukiah, CA and winding its way through the Mendocino County and the amazing hidden landscapes of Northern California. There will be Group rides, fundraisers and festivities starting Thursday, May 9th with the main event on Saturday, May 11th. This new Hopper is mostly on Mendocino Redwoods property and is only open to registered riders on the day of the event and the weekend before. Please DO NOT ride on MRC land at any other time or it will jeopardize our chance to hold this special event. Details to follow.
Gravel Earth Series
We are thrilled to have this event as part of the Gravel Earth Series for 2024! The long Course will count for points in the overall Gravel Earth Series! Be sure to head over to their website to learn more about this amazing international series. More Info Here
The Course
Thanks to Mendocino Redwood Company and the City of Ukiah you will be treated to a 32 mile private logging road though the majestic redwood, fir and oak forests of western Mendocino County. We begin with staging at Todd Grove Park in downtown Ukiah and a neutral roll out to the Masonite Rd. The course follows a mix of gravel, chunky pavement and packed dirt to Hwy 128. From here we take Flynn Creek Rd to Comptche and then climb Comptche-Ukiah Rd to Low Gap. The course then proceeds onto Low Gap to Miller Ridge and the Masonite Rd just as we do in Low Gap Hopper. This is a one-of kind loop in true “Hopper style”. With an equal ratio of adventure/exploration and shred it’s not to be missed. The shorter route has the same start and then at mile 22 you turn onto Low Gap Rd and head back. But, at 40 miles and 4,200 ft of climbing it’s a “Proper Hopper”.
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 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.
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 Course Rest Stops:
(Bottle/Bag drop ONLY at Aid Station 2. Leave with Specialized crew)
Aid Station 1: Mile 15.8
Aid Station 2: Mile 32
Aid Station 3: Mile 57
Short Course Rest Stops:
NO bottle/bag drop!
Aid Station: Mile 15.8
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 500 of your closest cycling buddies!
- Two feed zones stocked with Skratch hydration & nutrition & GU Energy. Supported by Trailhouse, NorCalBikeSport & Bike Peddler.
- Hot coffee and pastries from Black Oak Coffee Roaster in the morning
- Awesome prizes at the finish from our generous sponsors Arnot Roberts, Black Oak Coffee, Klean Kanteen, and Enduro Bearings
- Event timing
- Free event photos from FinisherPix
- Emergency Medical Support en route
- Cold Guayaki & Best Day Brewing
- Cold Sierra Nevada Beer
- Camping
- Lunch
- Unforgettable stories of adventure!
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
