- 11 months of discussions between the SBT GRVL 2024 p/b Wahoo team and various stakeholders and local groups have resulted in changes across all aspects of the event.
- The key focus of changes are: minimizing disruption to locals and the rural community, increasing safety, improving rider conduct, and improving communication.
- Routt County Officials re-issued the event permit needed for the event to go ahead on August 18th
- The actions outlined in the SBT GRVL Action plan that was published and communicated in March 2024 have all been achieved.
- GRVL Events are committed to a continued collaboration and close working relationship with all parties involved in order to secure the future of the event beyond 2024.
Photo Credit: @sbtgrvl
For Immediate Release
Steamboat Springs, CO, 29th July - SBT GRVL is excited to announce that its commitment to working together with the Routt County residents including the local Steamboat community and stakeholders has resulted in a green light for the second biggest gravel cycling event in the US this year. Embarking on its fifth (in-person) year, locally-owned SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo has become one of the premier gravel cycling events in the world, attracting cyclists aged 7 to 86, representing 24 countries and every state in the US.
Months of discussion between the SBT GRVL organizing team led by Amy Charity, members of the local rural community, and Routt County Officials has resulted in significant changes to the SBT GRVL format and the re-issue of the event permit needed for the event to go ahead.
Improved Communication Measures to Increase Local Awareness
GRVL Events has communicated directly with residents, providing detailed information about event logistics, safety measures, and changes to prioritize community welfare through postcards, personal visits to all on-course residents, and listening sessions in north and south Routt County, going above and beyond the requirements of Routt County’s new application process. This, together with increased investment in information sharing via on-course signage and advertising with local media outlets, will ensure that all residents are aware of the approaching event and where to source relevant information in relation courses and increased cyclist traffic. SBT GRVL has also established a command center and hotline during the event weekend that will allow local residents to provide feedback and the SBT GRVL team to offer resolutions in real time.
Route Changes for Increased Safety Measures
The main event will take place on the 18th of August and SBT GRVL has agreed to voluntarily move the race away from Routt County Fair weekend for 2025 and beyond.
This year, numerous changes have been made to the route to eliminate instances of two-way cycling traffic and avoid main thoroughfares and intersections that could have impacted traffic patterns.
While SBT GRVL still features four course distances, ranging from 37 to 125 miles, three of those routes are new this year and explore the more remote and less trafficked western and southern areas of Routt County. A significant increase in signage will also be present on the route with messaging to riders and rural residents.
Respect the Routt Campaign to Promote Respectful Rider Conduct
In addition to new courses, SBT GRVL has launched the Respect the Routt campaign. The campaign is an action plan honing in on key topics such as safety, kindness, and stewardship. SBT GRVL is leading the way with cyclist stewardship, requiring every registered rider to pledge their commitment to the SBT Gravel Oaths; which promote respectful rider conduct.
A Re-design of the Pre-race Event Schedule
A number of significant changes to the event schedule in the days leading up to the race will ensure that disruption to residents and rural activities will be minimized. This year, the number of official shakeout rides has been reduced from 11 to 2 in order to decrease large groups of cyclists on rural roads. Riders on either of the two shakeout rides will be required to sign waivers and wear wristbands to identify them as official event participants. The Command Center will be operating during these rides. Replacing many of the shakeout rides, partners of SBT GRVL have creatively planned activities in downtown Steamboat for riders, spectators, visitors and locals to enjoy...
The 2-day SBT GRVL Expo on Yampa Street offers the following highlights: a toddler race with Alpine Bank, a FLM FST presented by Outside at the Bud Werner Memorial Library, Yoga with Old Town Hot Springs, and Panels with Professional Athletes and Ride for Racial Justice. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to attend the legendary costume themed HLL CLMB on Howelsen Hill on Friday night.
See the full schedule here: https://www.sbtgrvl.com/weekend-activities
Investment in Local, and Cycling Nonprofits
SBT GRVL is proud to donate to local nonprofit organizations, including the local 4 H Club, The Cycle Effect, Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Colorado, Search and Rescue, and Routt County Riders, and to engage with, support, and promote these organizations. The fundamental pillars of SBT GRVL are driven by investment in the rider experience, and supporting vital causes and the local community. Since inception in 2019 SBT GRVL has contributed over $112,000 directly to non-profits and partners.
According to Amy Charity Founding Partner and CEO GRVL Events “We are relieved and excited to bring SBT GRVL back this August to my hometown of Steamboat Springs. The entire SBT GRVL team has worked tirelessly to create an event that holds true to the GRVL values that we have fostered over the past several years, while also solving critical issues that were causing unrest among members of the local community. We have listened respectfully and have collaboratively identified solutions to reduce the disruption to local community members.”
Morgan Bast, local cyclist and business leader commented "SBT GRVL is the best cycling event on the planet but located in our little northwest Colorado town of Steamboat Springs. It's incredible to get thousands of cyclists and cycling enthusiasts from all over the world visiting our town not only for the event but to experience our legendary gravel roads year-round. The diversity in our guests mixed with the welcoming nature of our locals brings a level of camaraderie that's rare in the competitive cycling world, and thats why I personally enjoy participating in the event so much. It also bolsters our local economy to a huge degree, helping our small businesses as well as longevity as an entire community. I'll be excited to see this event again this August."
2024 SBT GRVL Event Schedule: www.sbtgrvl.com/weekend-activities
Find out in more detail the local advocacy efforts of SBT GRVL in 2023/2024: www.sbtgrvl.com/community-outreach
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About SBT GRVL
SBT GRVL was co-founded in 2019 by ex-pro road cyclist Amy Charity. SBT GRVL is one of the biggest gravel cycling events in the USA and is renowned for the quality of gravel roads and its core value of inclusivity. In 2023, 3,000 cyclists participated in SBT GRVL from every state in the US, and 24 countries.
Charity partnered with F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and Tiffany Cromwell (professional cyclist) in 2022 to launch two additional events to the GRVL portfolio in 2023: FNLD GRVL (Finland) and RADL GRVL (Australia).
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