Best Gravel Cycling Events in the Midwest in 2023

Updated Nov 7, 2023
The team at Strambecco rated the Top Gravel events in the Midwest for 2023 based on various factors, including reputation, route quality, location, rider feedback, and the overall uniqueness of the event or race. Spanning Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, South/North Dakota, Nebraska, Indiana, and Minnesota, the Midwest terrain features of Strambecco’s best list is generally flat or rolling. Still, routes often include steep short climbs with a significant elevation gain over the full event route.
If we had to pick the best of the best, or those you’d classify as bucket list events, we’d recommend Barry-Roubaix (Michigan) in March or Unbound Gravel (Kansas) in June. Unbound Gravel is the event formerly known as Dirty Kanza. Both events are quintessential gravel experiences that helped kick off the gravel boom in America. We also strongly correlate the best events and professional event producers. In the Midwest, premiere event producers include Lifetime Events, UCI Gravel World Series, and Monuments of Cycling.
Strambecco does not list every event. We strive to identify and review events that are special and noteworthy. If you have suggestions on other events we should consider or review, please get in touch with us here or send us a note at editors@strambecco.com.
Barry-Roubaix is known as the World’s Largest Gravel Race and is regularly recognized as one of the best gravel events/races world-over. It is a classic road/off-road cycling race featuring a variety of…
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Celebrating its 14th annual Gravel Worlds in 2023! Testament to the quality of the event, Garmin is the title sponsor, and Strambecco rates the event among the Best Midwest Gravel Events. The…
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Winding its way through beautiful central Wisconsin is the Red Granite Grinder, a premier US gravel event, rated by Strambecco as one of the best in the Midwest. The event is…
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