True Grit Epic: Course, Route Profile & Map
The Extreme Grit Stage Race at the True Grit Epic links three days in the desert around Santa Clara, Utah: a self-supported ride on Thursday, the Tough Stuff 84 gravel race on Friday and the True Grit Epic 50 mountain bike race on Saturday. It is scored on points, and finishing all three stages earns the name.
Course & Elevation
Stage one is an untimed, self-supported ride of about 45 miles, with the exact route announced ten days before the event. In 2026 it was the Turkey Farm Loop from the Pioneer Rim trailhead, past a red rock canyon, in gravel and mountain bike versions. You check in and out at race HQ and show your recorded ride.
On Friday you ride the Tough Stuff 84, on Saturday the Epic 50 mountain bike lap, each against the full field of your category, starting in wave one or two on Saturday. Stages two and three are chip-timed and scored by placing; stage one earns flat points for finishing. The field is limited to 40.
Pacing Strategy
Over three days, the first stage is the most dangerous because it counts no time. Ride it easy, eat and drink a lot and save your legs for Friday and Saturday.
The gravel stage with its steep climb to Hard Rootbeer Hill is long enough to empty you for Saturday. Ride it with the next day in mind rather than the day's result, because the technical mountain bike lap on Saturday needs fresh concentration. Recovery between stages, with food, sleep and a bike check, is part of the race plan.
Training plan for True Grit Epic: 12-week build
In total you are looking at twelve to twenty hours in the saddle over three days. The effort ranges from easy endurance on Thursday through a long gravel day to an intense, technical mountain bike race.
The core of preparation is blocks of two to three long days in a row, so you learn to load tired legs again.
Train both disciplines: long seated gravel climbs for Friday and technical mountain biking on rock and sand for Saturday, including when fatigued.
Practise recovery with nutrition and sleep as part of training, and prepare both bikes. March weather in southern Utah swings widely, so pack weather layers for every day.
Stage 2: Gravel Tough Stuff 84 (Friday)
135.19 km · +2314mCourse Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 21.3 | 0.8 km | 8.6% | 14.8% | +71m | — |
| KM 23.5 | 3.1 km | 6.1% | 16.7% | +187m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 27.0 | 2.9 km | 6.1% | 15.4% | +176m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 31.2 | 1.8 km | 4.7% | 10.9% | +83m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 48.1 | 4.7 km | 4.5% | 4.9% | +208m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 60.3 | 2.1 km | 6.4% | 10.5% | +133m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 63.8 | 2.1 km | 8.3% | 18.2% | +172m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 81.1 | 3.0 km | 5.4% | 14.2% | +160m | 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.
Course as GPX
Download the Gravel Tough Stuff 84 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Stage 3: True Grit Epic 50 mountain bike (Saturday)
80.47 km · +1528mCourse Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 2.8 | 0.8 km | 7.5% | 11.7% | +64m | — |
| KM 7.2 | 2.1 km | 6.5% | 13.6% | +136m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 13.4 | 0.8 km | 7.6% | 41.5% | +65m | — |
| KM 14.5 | 1.0 km | 8.5% | 12.3% | +87m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 20.0 | 2.8 km | 6.5% | 15.1% | +179m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 29.4 | 1.4 km | 5.7% | 10.5% | +83m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 55.5 | 1.7 km | 5.1% | 12.8% | +85m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 57.9 | 1.7 km | 4.5% | 9.5% | +77m | — |
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.
Course as GPX
Download the True Grit Epic 50 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for True Grit Epic 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is True Grit Epic?
True Grit Epic is 288.07 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
What is the profile of the bike course at True Grit Epic?
The bike course at True Grit Epic is classified as Hilly, averaging 18 vertical metres per kilometre. 22% of the route is flat, 30% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does the bike course at True Grit Epic have?
The hardest climb on the bike course at True Grit Epic starts at kilometre 48.1, runs for 4.7 km at an average of 4.5% and gains 208 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is there a GPX file for the True Grit Epic course?
Yes. Each leg of True Grit Epic is on this page as its own free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for True Grit Epic?
Preparation for True Grit Epic should account for 288.07 km, 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 True Grit Epic?
The pacing strategy for True Grit Epic should reflect 288.07 km and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does True Grit Epic take place?
True Grit Epic takes place on March 18, 2027.
Where does True Grit Epic take place?
True Grit Epic takes place in Santa Clara, United States.
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