SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo.
The Black course is the race proper at SBT GRVL: 174 kilometres over the gravel ranch roads of Colorado's Yampa Valley, 70 per cent unpaved, with around 2,400 metres of climbing and never dropping below 2,000 metres of altitude.
SBT GRVL 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are on Yampa Street in the centre of Steamboat Springs. The loop leaves town on wide ranch roads, climbs into the hills north and west of the valley, and alternates constantly between fast gravel sections and short paved connectors. There is no single dominant climb; instead dozens of two- to five-kilometre ramps add up to some 2,400 metres of ascent. The surface is mostly well-graded ranch gravel that rolls fast when dry and turns deep after rain. Elite and amateur fields start separately, with rolling enclosure for the elite race.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 13.7 | 2.8 km | 3.2 % | 5.4 % | +90 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 45.5 | 2.2 km | 3.4 % | 6.9 % | +76 m | — |
| km 54.1 | 0.7 km | 9.6 % | 14.4 % | +69 m | — |
| km 61.2 | 1.3 km | 6.2 % | 11.1 % | +82 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 80.2 | 4.5 km | 3.1 % | 6.6 % | +140 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 128.5 | 0.8 km | 6.9 % | 9.8 % | +57 m | — |
| km 147.3 | 1.3 km | 6.5 % | 9.9 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 152.2 | 2.5 km | 5.1 % | 8.8 % | +125 m | Cat. 4 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace SBT GRVL.
Sit in early
Altitude is the decisive factor. At 2,000 to 2,700 metres, available power sits noticeably below sea-level numbers, and riding the first gravel climbs at familiar watts is paid for over the closing fifty kilometres.
Ration your effort
Realistic finishing times are six to seven hours for strong amateurs and eight to nine for the middle of the field; the cut-off works out at a 16 km/h average.
Race the finale
Tyres of at least 40 mm and a second pair of bottles are standard, as is carrying two hours of food between aid stations.
Training plan for SBT GRVL: 12-week build
Build endurance
Preparation needs long rides on gravel rather than only on tarmac: five to six hours with 1,500 to 2,000 metres of climbing, deliberately on loose surfaces, to test line choice and tyre pressure.
Train the climbs
Add sweet-spot intervals of 20 to 30 minutes, because the course gives no recovery between climbs.
Arrive fresh
Riders coming from sea level should plan at least a week of acclimatisation, or else arrive within 24 hours of the start to avoid the slump that follows two or three days at altitude.
Courses
Download the SBT GRVL course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo.
How long is SBT GRVL?
SBT GRVL is 174.1 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does SBT GRVL have?
SBT GRVL has around 2,385 m of elevation gain over 174.1 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of SBT GRVL?
SBT GRVL is classified as Rolling, averaging 13.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 24% of the route is flat, 37% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 2% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does SBT GRVL have?
The hardest climb of SBT GRVL starts at kilometre 80.2, runs for 4.5 km at an average of 3.1% and gains 140 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is SBT GRVL a loop course?
Yes, SBT GRVL is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the SBT GRVL course?
Yes. The SBT GRVL course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for SBT GRVL?
Preparation for SBT GRVL should account for 174.1 km, 2,385 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for SBT GRVL?
The pacing strategy for SBT GRVL should reflect 174.1 km, 2,385 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo take place?
SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo takes place on June 27, 2027.
Where does SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo take place?
SBT GRVL presented by Wahoo takes place in Steamboat Springs, United States.
Which distances does SBT GRVL offer?
SBT GRVL offers 4 distances — Black: 174.1 km; Blue: 118.2 km; Red: 85.5 km; Green: 40.2 km.
How do I register for SBT GRVL?
Registration runs through the organiser: sbtgrvl.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
