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The Rough Rider

October 30 - November 01 2026
Prescott AZ
Date Confirmed
 
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Distances: 3 days
Difficulty: Moderate terrain with rolling short steep hills or moderate, sustained climbs
Limited to: 300 or less Participants

The Rough Rider is a bold new gravel stage race launching in 2026, bringing three days of wild riding, western grit, and Arizona charm to the high desert.

Based in Historic Downtown Prescott, this event blends world-class riding with a uniquely local spirit—drawing on the legacy of frontier hero Bucky O’Neil and the rough-and-ready cavalrymen of the Spanish-American War.

Featuring epic routes through the Prescott National Forest and beyond, the race delivers challenging terrain, scenic backcountry, and legendary vibes in one of Arizona’s most iconic adventure destinations.

Registration opens October 22, 2025 and is limited to 300 riders.

The Rough Rider

 
Start Located At: Prescott, AZ
 
 
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Thursday, October 29

Check in. Gear up. Meet the cavalry.

2:00 - 6:00 pm: Registration and Sign-On in Downtown Prescott

2:00 - 6:00 pm: Afternoon Social in Downtown Prescott

Beer’s on. Vibes high. Meet your fellow Rough Riders.

6:00 pm: Opening Briefing in Downtown Prescott

Welcome, route preview, and everything you need to know before you saddle up

 

Friday, October 30: Stage 1 – GRIT

Jerome to Granite Dells
From haunted switchbacks to hero gravel

6:00 am - 6:45 am: Last chance for package pickup – Downtown Prescott

7:00 am: Load shuttles to Jerome from Downtown Prescott

7:15 am: Shuttles depart for Jerome

9:00 am: Stage 1 Start – Jerome, AZ

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Riders finishing at Prescott Peavine Trail – pickups from Peavine Trail will get you back to Downtown Prescott

3:30 - 5:30 pm: Afternoon Social – Downtown Prescott (Beer will be served)

5:00 pm: Stage 1 Awards Ceremony and Briefing, Downtown Prescott

 

Saturday, October 31: Stage 2 - GRIND

Mount Union
Higher. Harder. Hallowed ground.

7:40 am: Call to Start, Downtown Prescott

8:00 am: Stage 2 Start

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Riders finishing - Downtown Prescott

3:30 - 5:30 pm: Halloween Social in Downtown Prescott. (Beer will be served)

5:00 pm: Stage 2 Awards Ceremony and Briefing at Downtown Prescott

 

Sunday, November 1: Stage 3 - GLORY

Skull Valley
Fast. Fierce. Final Chapter.

7:40 am: Call to Start, Downtown Prescott

8:00 am: Stage 3 Start

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Riders finishing at Downtown Prescott

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Post Race Social and Lunch – Downtown Prescott

1:30 pm: Stage 3 and Overall Awards Ceremonies Downtown Prescott - for all complete categories.

2:30 pm: Stage 3 and Overall Awards Ceremonies Downtown Prescott - for any outstanding categories.

Registration Fees

2026 Pricing

Field Limit: 300 Riders

The West rewards those who commit early!

First to Saddle Up – First 100 spots - $399
Ride with the Regiment – Spots 101-200 - $499
Last Call to the Line – Spots 201-300 - $599

Deposit Now. Ride Later:

Easy instalment payment options are available at checkout! 

Note that additional taxes and registration platform fees will be visible on the registration form.

Included

What Your Entry Includes:

You’re not just signing up for a race. You’re stepping into a story.

·    Cowboy miles, mountain views, and desert dust

·    3 unforgettable days of gravel racing in and around the legendary terrain of Prescott, Arizona

·    Afternoon socials in historic Downtown Prescott

·    Daily awards and podium celebrations

·    Daily rider briefings and safety updates

·    Professionally mapped, marked, and supported routes

·    Full Pint and Half Pint distance options

·    2 fully stocked aid stations per stage

·    Course ambassadors and medical support

·    Rough Rider T-Shirt and exclusive souvenir

·    Swag and sponsor giveaways

·    Chip timing and full stage results

·    Bragging rights that don’t fade with dust or time

 
Facilities
Pre-Packet Pickups
 
Support for Participants
SAG Wagon
Marshalls
 
Community
Volunteers
 
Features
Course Timing
Finishing Medals
Results Within 24 Hours
Photos
Personalised Bib (Name and QR Code)
Downloadable GPS files
Finish Line Chute
 
Nutrition
Feed / Aid Stations
 
transrockies
Aug 30 2025 - NEWS: Glassford and Kleban Claim Victory at Final Edition of Gravel Royale
Jul 07 2025 - NEWS: Durell and Li Take Victory at the SOLD-OUT 10th Anniversary Granfondo Badlands
Apr 12 2025 - NEWS: 2025 Gran Fondo Badlands: Spectacular Scenery and Unforgettable Cycling
May 05 2025 - NEWS: Yingst and Simonds Fastest at Gran Fondo Moab
Feb 18 2025 - NEWS: Register Now for the Gravel Royale Stage Race and Save
Jan 30 2025 - NEWS: 2025 TransRockies Race Series Revealed
Jan 22 2025 - NEWS: Ride Road and Gravel at the 2025 Moab Fondo Fest
Dec 16 2024 - NEWS: TransRockies Series reveals Fondo events for 2025
Nov 15 2023 - NEWS: Go “All In On Adventure” at TransRockies Gravel Royale
Jan 08 2024 - NEWS: Gran Fondo Badlands: Where Spectacular Scenery Meets Unforgettable Cycling
Dec 07 2023 - NEWS: Two days of “Epic Riding” await at the all-new Moab Fondo Fest!
May 07 2023 - NEWS: Edwards and Aitken fastest at 2023 Gran Fondo Moab
Mar 31 2023 - NEWS: Gran Fondo Moab: Italian Cycling in the American Southwest!
Apr 26 2023 - NEWS: Gravel Royale Early Bird Pricing Ends May 1st!
Apr 07 2023 - NEWS: Register Now for Gran Fondo Badlands this July
May 02 2026 - EVENT: Moab Rocks
May 02 2026 - EVENT: Moab Fondo Fest
Jul 04 2026 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Badlands
Jul 11 2026 - EVENT: The Range
Oct 30 2026 - EVENT: The Rough Rider
 
transrockies
Aug 30 2025 - NEWS: Glassford and Kleban Claim Victory at Final Edition of Gravel Royale
Jul 07 2025 - NEWS: Durell and Li Take Victory at the SOLD-OUT 10th Anniversary Granfondo Badlands
Apr 12 2025 - NEWS: 2025 Gran Fondo Badlands: Spectacular Scenery and Unforgettable Cycling
May 05 2025 - NEWS: Yingst and Simonds Fastest at Gran Fondo Moab
Feb 18 2025 - NEWS: Register Now for the Gravel Royale Stage Race and Save
Jan 30 2025 - NEWS: 2025 TransRockies Race Series Revealed
Jan 22 2025 - NEWS: Ride Road and Gravel at the 2025 Moab Fondo Fest
Dec 16 2024 - NEWS: TransRockies Series reveals Fondo events for 2025
Nov 15 2023 - NEWS: Go “All In On Adventure” at TransRockies Gravel Royale
Jan 08 2024 - NEWS: Gran Fondo Badlands: Where Spectacular Scenery Meets Unforgettable Cycling
Dec 07 2023 - NEWS: Two days of “Epic Riding” await at the all-new Moab Fondo Fest!
May 07 2023 - NEWS: Edwards and Aitken fastest at 2023 Gran Fondo Moab
Mar 31 2023 - NEWS: Gran Fondo Moab: Italian Cycling in the American Southwest!
Apr 26 2023 - NEWS: Gravel Royale Early Bird Pricing Ends May 1st!
Apr 07 2023 - NEWS: Register Now for Gran Fondo Badlands this July
May 02 2026 - EVENT: Moab Rocks
May 02 2026 - EVENT: Moab Fondo Fest
Jul 04 2026 - EVENT: Gran Fondo Badlands
Jul 11 2026 - EVENT: The Range
Oct 30 2026 - EVENT: The Rough Rider
 
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