Gravel Worlds

Gravel Worlds is the unofficial world championship of self-supported gravel racing — a 150-mile loop on the unpaved farm roads around Lincoln, Nebraska, held every August since 2010. Organized by the Pirate Cycling League, it's one of the most respected events in the discipline and a regular fixture for elite and amateur gravel riders from across the United States and beyond.

Route & what to expect

The flagship course is 150 miles with roughly 9,000 ft of climbing on the rolling crushed-limestone roads of the Bohemian Alps north and west of Lincoln. The surface is fast-rolling pack with regular sections of loose chunk, exposed open prairie, and surprise short-but-steep climbs. With minimal shade and Nebraska's August heat, hydration and pacing are everything. 38–42mm tubeless tyres are the local standard.

Gravel Worlds is fully self-supported — no aid stations. Riders resupply at three small-town "oases" along the route, where local volunteers sell water, food and supplies. This format is core to the event's identity and what separates it from Unbound and other supported mega-races.

History

Founded in 2010 by the Pirate Cycling League, Gravel Worlds was one of the earliest organized gravel races in the US and helped define the self-supported template that many subsequent events have followed. Past winners include some of the most recognized names in modern gravel racing.

Distances & categories

• Gravel Worlds 150 mi — the championship distance
• Long Voyage 75 mi — half-distance option, same self-supported format
• Privateer 25 mi — short course for newer riders
• Categories: open, age groups, single-speed, tandem

Recent results

Winning times for the 150-mile race typically fall in the 7h 45m – 8h 30m range for the men's race and 8h 30m – 9h 30m for the women's race, depending on weather and headwinds. Full year-by-year results are published on the official Gravel Worlds site.

Registration & logistics

• Start/finish: Lincoln, Nebraska
• Date: Third weekend of August
• Format: Mass start, fully self-supported, three resupply oases
• Entry: Lottery-style registration opens in early spring

Register and check current details on the official Gravel Worlds website.

Frequently asked questions

How long is Gravel Worlds?
The flagship race is 150 miles with about 9,000 ft of climbing. There are also 75-mile and 25-mile options.

Is Gravel Worlds self-supported?
Yes — there are no formal aid stations. Three small-town "oases" along the route sell water, food and supplies. Outside help between oases is not permitted.

When is Gravel Worlds held?
The third weekend of August each year, starting and finishing in Lincoln, Nebraska.

How hard is Gravel Worlds compared to Unbound?
It's shorter than Unbound 200 but has more climbing per mile and is fully self-supported. Many riders consider it harder relative to its distance.

Looking for more events like this? Browse the full Midwest USA gravel calendar or all gravel bike races.