Cycling Routes-
Road + Gravel = Groad. This event is unlike any of the others and is promised to deliver the most dynamic racing. The route is made up of tarmac and chip seal, with gravel and dirt sectors. Be ready for anything when it comes to the dirt sectors. Riders will take on a motocross track, and farm road sectors. The gravel is fast and features a variety of different flavors of champagne gravel. The routes are approximately 50% gravel/dirt and the rest is some version of road. Tire selection will be key for this one. After finishing, every cycling participant will get a slice of Casey's pizza and a beverage of their choice.
The routes will not be marked so please make sure to download the route to your cycling computer or print off the cues. Looking for more information, check out our website bigrivergravel.com for further details. The event will be held rain or shine. There are no refunds or deferrals. BikeReg does offer registration insurance at checkout.
Here are the 2026 routes.
Mississippi Route- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50850098
Mississippi Wet Route- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51588853
Rock Route- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50850472
Fun Ride Route- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50850242
5K Run Course-
The 5K run will be a flat and fast out and back course on pavement. Every running participant will get pancakes and coffee included with their registration post event.
The series takes place in the Quad Cities which is located on the Iowa Illinois border, nestled between the Mississippi River and Rock River.
The series consists of four events
Hell of the Wind- March 28th, New Liberty, IA
1904- April 25th, Morrison, IL
Burning Quad- July 11th, Erie, IL
Turkey Burner- October 31st, New Liberty, IA
For detailed information on each event, check out their respective Bike Reg page or our website bigrivergravel.com for further details.
Run Series Competition Information-
There will be a series competition for overall (women/men) and masters 40+ women and men.
There will be a podium for top three overall (women/men) and top three masters 40+ women/men.
Scoring for the overall and age group categories will work as follows. 1st= 10 points, 2nd= 9 points, 3rd= 8 points, 4th= 7 points, 5th= 6 points
Scoring for the series will be based on a runners accumulative points from all 4 events.
A runner must complete at least 3 of the 4 events to be eligible for the series.
In the event of a tie at the end of the series, the tiebreaker will be determined by the rider who had the best result at the Turkey Burner.
Gravel Riding Series Competition-
For the first time ever, the Big River Gravel Series will have an overall series payout for the top 3 men and women in the Mississippi distance. In order to be eligible for the payout a rider must sign up for the entire series using the Big River Gravel Series registration page. It is a dynamic payout. If 50 or less riders register for the Mississippi distance series the payout will be $500. For every rider who registers for the Mississippi distance once over 50 riders, the payout increases by $50 per rider registered. Example- 100 total riders register for the Mississippi distance series, the payout would be $3,000.
Riders must decide if they want to compete in the Mississippi River (long distance) or the Rock River (short distance) for the series and stick with that distance for the entire series. If a rider switches distances, their points will start not carry over to the new distance series competition.
The Big River Gravel Series will have an overall series payout for the top 3 men and women in the Mississippi distance. In order to be eligible for the payout a rider must sign up for the entire series using the Big River Gravel Series registration page on BikeReg. The rider must also finish all 4 events.
There will be a series competition for overall (women/men) in each distance, age group (women/men), and a single speed open. Riders are eligible for both point series competitions.
There will be a podium for top three overall (women/men) in each distance and top three in each age group (women/men). Riders are eligible for both the overall and age group podium.
Age group categories are divided as follows. There will be an age group category for women and men. 19 and under juniors, 20-44, and 45+.
Scoring for the overall and age group categories will work as follows. 1st= 10 points, 2nd= 9 points, 3rd= 8 points, 4th= 7 points, 5th= 6 points, 6th= 5 points, 7th= 4 points, 8th= 3 points, 9th= 2 points, 10th= 1 point
Scoring for the series will be based on a riders accumulative points from all 4 events.
A rider must complete at least 3 of the 4 events to be eligible for the series.
In the event of a tie at the end of the series, the tiebreaker will be determined by the rider who had the best result at the Turkey Burner.