The towns of Marathon, Marfa, and Terlingua are the gems of Texas, where the Chihuahuan Desert plateau crosses into the Trans-Pecos area of West Texas. This is where the mountainous West intersects with the rolling limestone hills of Texas, resulting in stunning vistas, diverse wildlife, vistas, and the mighty Rio Grande.  “Rio Grande Gravel” is a new gravel race coming to Marfa on November 13th. This event is sponsored by Red Bull and the registration is opening on September 17th. See the full press release from Red Bull below, along with some more photos featuring Colin Strickland and Payson McElveen…

As the sport of gravel cycling continues its climb in popularity throughout the U.S. and around the globe, countless bike enthusiasts are seeking new opportunities to get off the pavement onto dirt. Red Bull has responded to that request with its first-ever gravel cycling competition, Red Bull Rio Grande Gravel, set to take place at Cibolo Creek Ranch in Marfa, Texas on Saturday, November 13.

Cyclists from Texas and beyond are invited to compete on the 100-mile gravel race, which will stretch across the vast west Texas landscape and its rocky terrain – featuring over 10,000 feet of technical climbing within the Chinati Mountains. The location and course design have been inspired by 2019 Unbound Gravel Champion, Colin Strickland, and USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Champion, Payson McElveen, both of whom are Texans.

“Payson and I wanted to share this particular part of the world that has had a huge impact on who we are as riders and people,” said Strickland.  “We love this region and want to share our Texas escape with our community. It is one of the most peaceful and remote places in the U.S. and makes for an interesting landscape to host a race.”

Participant check-in will take place on Friday, November 12 at Cibolo Creek Ranch, followed by the race on November 13, beginning at 9:00AM CST. Interested participants are encouraged to register immediately, as the event is limited to 500 cyclists. Lodging at Cibolo Creek Ranch is limited, but attendees will be provided with passes to secure space at nearby camping grounds. Alternatively, there are hotel accommodations available in downtown Marfa, Texas which is located approximately 35 miles north of Cibolo Creek Ranch.

Registration for Red Bull Rio Grande Gravel will open on Friday, September 17. For more information and registration details, please visit www.redbull.com/riogrande.