Michigan Mountain Mayhem Gravel Grinder

September 23 2023

Boyne City, Michigan, USA

Unconfirmed

Distances: 18, 46, 60 miles

Difficulty: Moderate terrain with rolling short steep hills or moderate, sustained climbs

Limited to: 2,000 riders Participants

The Gravel Grinder is a gravel road race like nothing you could have imagined. This event will always be the first Saturday in October (October 1st, 2016 ) and is limited to 2000 riders. You can expect a huge purse as well as some of the fastest racers in the Country.

There will be a 18 mile, a 45 mile and a 60 mile race. The 18 mile race is very flat. The 45 and 60 mile races will have lots of very fast roads mixed with technical seasonal roads, some hair raising descents as well as long steep climbs, which will test your mental sanity.

There will be a KOM contest for the 60 mile race.

Points will be awarded for the first 3 people over the top of the 5 mountain climbs. The highest total points for both men and women will get $500 in addition to any prize money they might win. There will be no prizes for second place.

Points awarded are as follows:

Mount Bodawei first climb: 1st – 3 points, 2nd – 2 points and 3rd – 1 point

Diablo’s Mountain: 1st – 10 points, 2nd – 7 points and 3rd – 5 points

Mount Mayhem first climb: 1st – 8 points, 2nd -5 points and 3rd – 3 points

Mount Mayhem second climb: 1st – 5 points, 2nd – 3 points and 3rd – 2 points

Mount Bodawei second climb: 1st – 3 points, 2nd – 2 points and 3rd – 1 point

Mount Bodawei

Mount Bodewei is believed to be named by Native Americans over 500 years ago but we at MMM Central believe the name came from the fact that not only is it the first of the mountain climbs, but it is also the last and you will get the pleasure of climbing Mount Bodawei (both the ways). This is also the smallest of the five mountain climbs. The first time up Mount Bodawei you will climb 204 feet in .7 of a mile. The second time up you climb 172 feet in .8 of a mile.

Diablo’s Mountain

This mountain has long been called Diablo’s Mountain for one reason, only Diablo himself would create such a monstrosity. This mountain is without a doubt the toughest climb of the day, you will have to climb 517 feet in 1.85 miles. Most of the climb is winding, with the top never in view. You will start out at around 5% and the grade slowly gets steeper until the final stretch at 10%. The damage this mountain does will stay with you for the rest of the race.

Mount Mayhem

The next two climbs are up the front side and then the backside of Mount Mayhem. This mountain was not named for the first climb that last 2.6 miles and goes up 482 feet or the second climb of 360 feet in 1 mile that comes less than 4 miles later but the hair raising descent that comes in between. After cresting Mount Mayhem the first time you immediately start to go down. The first half mile drops 107 feet and is mild, smooth and fast, then you turn right and drop down a winding seasonal road with a mix of hard pack, sand, and rocks. This descent will drop you 360 feet in just under 1 mile with grades reaching 10% – 15%. The descent is safe but you better have your hands on the brakes.