Dubuque, Iowa · Saturday, October 24, 2026
The Fall Fondo is a cycling and gran fondo event held on Saturday, October 24, 2026. It is located at 301 E 5th St in Dubuque, Iowa.
Random info.
This is the 33rd year of the oldest ongoing gravel race in the Midwest!!!
It takes place in Iowa's driftless region and has views that'll take your breath away.
This year we decided to do an old school throwback race and do a shotgun start for only 1 route. We're only offering the 40 mile route. Yes the route includes level B & C roads. Remember, the Level C roads are private property and are NOT allowed to be ridden, except for on race day.
Count on roughly 1,000 ft of climb per 10 miles but you won't notice because you'll be so busy enjoying the beautiful countryside.
The route will be uploaded prior to the race so watch for that. Will the route be marked? Since there's only 1 distance, the chance is good. Now does that mean you can solely rely on the markings? No, you should follow the Ride2 With GPS you download.
There will be an aid station around mile 20. Outside aid is NOT permitted. This aid station will be a mandatory check point as well.
Check-in and bib pick are TBD.
What surprises do I have in store this year? Great question but the answer is, you'll have to wait to see.
Will there be music and an awards ceremony? YES!!!
Rules: Helmets are required. No Karen's, Richards, or Kooks. No support vehicles or outside support. I don't want to see random vehicles out on the routes meeting racers. Aid stations are for volunteers and racers only. Please.
Chuck Norris would say, "don't forget to bring your legs, your friend's legs, your neighbor's legs, actually just bring all the legs there are.
The Driftless Dagger is a self-supported bikepacking race through the rugged, untamed beauty of the Driftless Region. Choose between a grueling 550-mile route with over 40,000 feet of climbing or the Baby Dagger at 237 miles with 20,000 feet of vert. Starting and finishing at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL, this race is Death by a Thousand Cuts—relentless gravel, brutal climbs, and peaceful back roads that challenge your limits.
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Welcome to the 2026 Driftless Gravel Festival!
We have teamed up with the ultra distance race, the Driftless Dagger, to form a weekend long festival in the most underrated cycling destination the Midwest. The party will get started on Friday afternoon with shakeout rides, a kids race, and packet pick up. The festival will take place at Chestnut Mountain Resort which is located in the heart of Driftless country while also overlooking the Mighty Mississippi.
The Galena territory was founded by resilient, industrious folks who put the area on the map by being the first major site of the mineral rush in the United States. They mined over 21 million pounds of lead in just a 3 year period. If you want to finish The Lead Ore, you’ll need the same tenacity that these early pioneers demonstrated. The Lead Ore will take place from Chestnut Mountain Resort which is situated smack dab in the middle of the Illinois driftless region. This is arguably the most scenic region Illinois has to offer. If you have never been to the Galena area, you're in for a surprise. The area offers many activities for couples and families. We recommend making a weekend out of this one and taking in the full experience. There are no refunds or deferrals. BikeReg does offer registration insurance at checkout.