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Uncle John’s Gravel Race

September 07 2025
St Johns MI
Date Confirmed
 
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Distances: 16, 28, 57 miles
Difficulty: Moderate terrain with rolling short steep hills or moderate, sustained climbs
Limited to: 1000 Participants

Uncle John’s Gravel Race has become well known as one of the fastest gravel races in Michigan. It all begins and ends at the famous Uncle John’s Cider Mill a must visit destination for many families every fall. You will traverse through the wooded Saginaw/Gratiot Game Area as well as some super flat gravel roads lined with 10 foot high corn fields. 99% of the course is on dirt roads.

The event is geared for riders of all ages and abilities;  seasoned racers closing out their road season, mountain bikers, cross racers, weekend warriors, fitness enthusiasts or riders that simply want to enjoy the Michigan countryside on a late summer day.

Bring the whole family to cheer you on.  For those not riding, they can enjoy all the other actives that Uncle John's Cider Mill has to offer while you ride.  Then, after you have finished, all can enjoy the live music, food and drink at the post ride party.

What’s New This Year?

This year, we’re shifting the focus from just racing to creating a full-on experience.  Saturday will be a complete pre-race gravel race party including early packet pickup, free camping, live band, food trucks, and hard cider, wine, and spirits tastings in the Uncle John’s Taproom from 4-8 pm.

We have invested $2,500 worth of safety improvements to make the race start and finish the best it has ever been as well.  Remember the narrow, tricky orchard entry at the end of the old course? That’s history. We’ve installed 30 feet of new culvert and 20 tons of gravel for a 50-foot wide smoother and safer transition to the first gravel road.  A bunch of gravel has also been added to make the racing surface on the Uncle John’s property much smoother and safer as well.

We’ve reversed the entire race route!
That orchard finish is now the starting point. The race will run clockwise, which means more right turns and fewer traffic crossings—another big safety win. The long gravel stretch that used to exit the property will now serve as the final sprint.

Other race changes include –

-Staggered start times: Shorter distances start later, meaning less downtime before podiums
- Event T-Shirts for the first 500 to register
- Champion’s Jerseys for top male/female finishers in each distance
- Finisher medals for everyone!

Just like in years past – Free lunch, free hard cider, and awards

Uncle John’s Dirty Ride

 
Start Located At: Uncle Johns Cider Mill, 8614 US-127 St Johns, MI 48879
 
 
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Saturday, September 6, 2025
7:00am              Free RV and tent camping area opens (See “Race Grounds Map” at www.unclejohnsgravelrace.com prior to setting up.  Don’t disturb the 5k run)
9:00am             5k run.  For details www.gourdyspumpkinrun.com
9:00am            Uncle John’s Cider Mill Opens https://www.ujcidermill.com
2:00pm            Free leisurely group ride starts at the NEW start finish line area
4-8pm              Packet Pickup Party at the Uncle John’s Hard Cider Taproom with a live band, food trucks, tons of things to do for the entire family.
7:00pm            Packet pickup closes
8:00pm            Packet Pickup Party at the Uncle John’s Hard Cider Taproom concludes

Sunday September 7, 2025
7:00am            Registration opens at the Uncle John’s Cider Mill
8:00am            FREE Kids races 0-6, 7-9, 10-12
8:30am            57 mile race staging opens
8:50am            57 mile pre race instructions
9:00am            57 mile race starts
9:45am            28 mile race staging opens
10:05am          28 mile pre race instructions
10:15am          28 mile race starts
10:20am          16 mile race staging opens
10:35am          16 mile pre race instructions
10:45am          16 mile race starts
1:15pm            Cut off time for podium awards eligibility
1:20pm            Race results become official
1:30pm            Podium awards begin at the main stage

Registration Fees

Price is based on how many people are registered when you register.
0-249               $75
250-499           $80
500-749           $85
750-1,000        $90

Under 19 years old $10 less the prices above

 

Included

We have a breathable tech shirt for the first 500 people who register, lunch after the race, 2 Uncle John’s hard cider pours, a super cool finishers medal for everyone who finishes, and bad to the bone winners’ awards including jerseys, cash, and medals.

Packet Pickups

Uncle John’s Cider Mill, 8614 US-127, St Johns, MI 48879

Saturday, September 6, 2025
4-8pm              Packet Pickup Party at the Uncle John’s Hard Cider Taproom with a live band, food trucks, tons of things to do for the entire family.
7:00pm            Packet pickup closes
8:00pm            Packet Pickup Party at the Uncle John’s Hard Cider Taproom concludes

Sunday September 7, 2025
7:00-10:45am  Packet Pickup/Registration at the Uncle John’s Cider Mill

Prize / Race Categories

16 MILE

Overall

1st Custom Medal, Jersey, & Free Entry for Next Year's Race
2nd & 3rd Custom Medals
Age Divisions

Top 3 Medals - 0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & Over
Fat Tire Men - Top 3 Medals
Fat Tire Women - Top 3 Medals
Male Single Speed – Top 3 Medals
Female Single Speed - Top 3 Medals
Clydesdale (+220) - Top 3 Medals
Athena (+165) - Top 3 Medals
CoEd Tandem - Top 3 Medals
Male Vintage Bike 25+ - Top 3 Medals
Female Vintage Bike 25+ - Top 3 Medals
28 MILE

Overall

1st Custom Medal, Jersey, & Free Entry for Next Year's Race
2nd & 3rd Custom Medals
Age Divisions

Top 3 Medals - 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & Over
Fat Tire Men - Top 3 Medals
Fat Tire Women - Top 3 Medals
Male Single Speed – Top 3 Medals
Female Single Speed - Top 3 Medals
Clydesdale (+220) - Top 3 Medals
Athena (+165) - Top 3 Medals
CoEd Tandem - Top 3 Medals
Male Vintage Bike 25+ - Top 3 Medals
Female Vintage Bike 25+ - Top 3 Medals
57 MILE

Overall

1st Custom Medal, Jersey, & Free Entry for Next Year's Race
2nd & 3rd Custom Medals
Age Divisions

Top 3 Medals - 0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 & Over
Fat Tire Men - Top 3 Medals
Fat Tire Women - Top 3 Medals
Male Single Speed – Top 3 Medals
Female Single Speed - Top 3 Medals
Clydesdale (+220) - Top 3 Medals
Athena (+165) - Top 3 Medals
CoEd Tandem - Top 3 Medals


 

 
Facilities
Parking
Toilets
Registration On the Day
Pre-Packet Pickups
 
Support for Participants
Route Signposted
SAG Wagon
 
Community
Volunteers
After Party
Kids Fondo
 
Features
Course Timing
Category / Race Prizes
Finishing Medals
Results Within 24 Hours
Photos
Personalised Bib (Name and QR Code)
Downloadable GPS files
Finish Line Chute
 
Nutrition
Feed / Aid Stations
Post Event Meal(s) Provided As Part of Entry