Heart of Gold Gravel 2026

Heart of Gold Gravel 2026

Presented by Bike Monkey
Gravel Mixed Surface
Nevada City, CA
Oct 17, 2026
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About This Event

Heart of Gold Gravel explores remote roads north and east of Nevada City, California, combining the challenges of gravel cycling with a charitable mission supporting youth mental wellness. Starting from Nevada City’s Rood Center, the event offers two course options spanning 46 to 70 miles through California’s rugged Sierra Nevada foothills.

The Long Route features a unique segment-timing format with three timed sections rather than overall race time. After a 21-mile warm-up, riders face Segment 1’s 11-mile, 1,600-foot climb to Graniteville, followed by Segment 2’s punishing 14-mile stretch with 2,000 feet of elevation gain to Lake City. The finale is Segment 3, a brutal 1.4-mile climb gaining 900 feet that serves as both the final timed segment and a standalone King/Queen of the Mountain competition.

The Medium Route cuts through Malakoff Diggins, reducing overall elevation while still including the challenging Segment 3 climb. Both courses mix pavement with smooth and rough gravel roads, featuring prolonged steady climbs and fast descents through Nevada County’s dirt terrain.

Strategic aid stations at Graniteville and Lake City keep riders fueled, while a $2,000 prize pool rewards top performers in the long route with $500, $300, and $200 for the top three in both men’s and women’s categories. The format creates tactical racing where riders can excel in specific segments rather than needing to maintain pace over the entire distance.

A post-race festival from noon to 4 PM features food trucks, live music, lawn games, and a kids’ bike rodeo, creating a community celebration that matches the event’s charitable mission.

Bike Monkey

Event Organizer
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Bike Monkey is a California-based event production company renowned for organizing high-quality cycling races and adventure rides while also focusing on community engagement and charitable efforts. The company was founded with the mission to combine a passion for cycling with philanthropy, using its events to raise funds for various causes. Bike Monkey events range from gravel races to road cycling, offering diverse challenges for cyclists of all skill levels.

Charities Supported

Bike Monkey integrates charity into many of its events, supporting various causes, including environmental conservation, public land protection, and disaster relief. For example:

  • The NorCal High School Cycling League: Bike Monkey supports youth development in cycling by raising funds for this league, which encourages high school students to participate in mountain biking as a sport.
  • Santa Rosa Fire Recovery: After devastating wildfires in Northern California, Bike Monkey contributed to local recovery efforts, raising significant funds to help affected communities rebuild.
  • Be Good™ Foundation: Many events, such as Rebecca’s Private Idaho, support this foundation, focusing on empowerment and healing through cycling.

Prominent Events

  1. Levi’s GranFondo
    This is one of Bike Monkey’s most well-known events, attracting thousands of riders annually. Hosted in Santa Rosa, California, it offers a variety of routes, from beginner-friendly to extremely challenging, all through beautiful Northern California landscapes. Proceeds benefit local charities and environmental causes.
  2. Fish Rock
    Known for its tough gravel course, this event takes riders through the rugged terrain of Mendocino County, California. The ride combines scenic beauty with grueling climbs and gravel roads, and it raises awareness for local land conservation efforts.
  3. Rebecca’s Private Idaho
    Co-produced with Rebecca Rusch, this gravel event in Idaho combines stunning mountain terrain with charity fundraising for the Be Good™ Foundation. Riders can choose from multiple route options, making it accessible for varying skill levels while supporting a meaningful cause.

Bike Monkey is widely respected in the cycling community for delivering well-organized and challenging events and for its ongoing commitment to supporting charitable causes through the power of cycling.

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