UKIAH MENDO GRAVEL EPIC
April 27th, 2025 Register
Join us for an epic adventure starting in Ukiah, CA and winding its way through the amazing hidden landscapes of Mendocino County. This new Hopper mostly takes place on private Mendocino Redwoods property, offering a one-time opportunity to explore new terrain. With three course options, this event offers something for every level of rider. Additionally, this year’s Ukiah-Mendo Hopper will be the NCNCA Gravel District Championship.
8,420ft
76mi
32% Paved
68% Dirt
Route
We are stoked to have the City of Ukiah as a sponsor and host city.
We will start with a neutral lead out at Todd Grove Park, with the race starting after we hit Orr Springs Rd. This quiet Mendocino County road climbs 1,800ft over the first 9 miles before dropping into the Orr Springs area and rolling along Montgomery Woods State Reserve. From here, riders will climb to the Comptche/Orr Springs Rd and Low Gap Rd. Between mile 20-22 you’ll gain 600ft before making the turn onto dirt on Low Gap Rd, where you’ll continue on dirt for the next 10 miles. Beginning at mile 22, you will climb from 1,100 ft to the intersection with Miller Ridge. This year, we have a contract with MRC (Mendocino Redwood Company) to use their land. From mile 31.3 to 44 we are on private property that is not open for pre-riding. From here you have a ripping 13 mile gravel and paved descent to the finish.
NOTE: This route is only open to registered riders on the day of the event and the weekend before, as a majority of the course rides through private property with a limited-use permit.
All Hopper routes are open and riders must obey all traffic laws and rules.
Medium Course
3,897ft
34mi
21% Paved
79% Dirt
Short Course
23mi
2,291ft
17% Paved
83% Dirt
The Moriah Wilson Foundation
A portion of the proceeds of this event will go to supporting the Moriah Wilson Foundation. Moriah was an inspiration to everyone in the NorCal cycling scene and we miss her so.
“Our hope is to carry on Moriah’s vision to strengthen communities, and to love and live deeply. In Moriah’s words, ‘When you love something to the point where you’re fully committed, the risk becomes irrelevant. Because if you fail, it will have been worth it. The process and all that comes along with it is more important, in the end.’”
Hoppers have always been about community, adventure and personal challenge, and we’re honored to hold this event on the same date as Moriah’s ride in Vermont.
To learn more and to donate, go to the Moriah Wilson Foundation webpage. Moriah Wilson Foundation.
More Info
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Tucked in a deep valley and surrounded by rolling vineyards, towering redwoods, and endless backroads, Ukiah is the gateway to Mendocino County’s best gravel riding. Originally home to the Pomo people, the area later became a hub for ranching, farming, and winemaking. Today, it’s the perfect blend of small-town charm and big adventure, offering riders remote roads, epic climbs, and a taste of NorCal’s wild beauty.
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Springtime in Ukiah and Mendocino County means perfect riding temps, with cool mornings in the low 50s warming up to the high 60s or low 70s by the afternoon. Rain is less likely in April, but past storms might leave tacky dirt or a few sneaky mud spots. The higher elevations can get breezy, so layer smart—start cool, shed as you go. Whether it’s blue skies or a little misty magic, you’re in for an epic day on the bike
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The Ukiah-Mendo Hopper will be the first NCNCA Gravel District Championship. You will need a USAC License to compete for the District Championship. You do NOT need a USAC license to ride in or compete for the Grasshopper Adventure Series. This will be a “race within a race”. This year we will have separate race starts for different age groups. Exact start times TBD. Riders competing for the District Championship will be scored in 10 year age brackets, the same as the Grasshopper Adventure Series 10 year bands i.e. 19-29, 30-39 etc. as we have been doing for years. All age group racers competing in the District Championship will race the Long (Mero Mero) course. Juniors (15-16, 17-18) will race the Mediano course. Juniors 12-14 yrs old will race the Chiquito.
USA Cycling License – Special Offer for Competitors
To make participation more accessible, we’re offering a discounted USA Cycling annual license for eligible riders:
New Members: First-time USA Cycling members can purchase an annual license for $20.
Returning or Expired Members: Riders with an expired USA Cycling license can renew for $50.
Mandatory Licensing: One-day licenses will not be available—all competitors must have an annual license.
Why Get a USA Cycling License?
Eligibility – Required to compete in the NCNCA District Championships and other USA Cycling-sanctioned events.
Member Benefits – Access to exclusive discounts, rankings, and event perks.
Insurance Coverage – Includes personal accident coverage during sanctioned events.
How to Get Your License
Sign up or renew your USA Cycling membership before registering for the event.
Verify your license at registration—proof of membership is required.
Race at the Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic and compete for the NCNCA District title.
Take advantage of this discounted license offer and get ready to race.
2025 NCNCA District Championship Policies Racers must live in the Northern California Nevada Cycling Association boundaries and MUST register their correct age categories. Juniors and Masters cannot race up or down for championship races. Racers must race in their CORRECT racing age, which is listed on their USAC License or racers age as of 12/31/2025 for Road. Race promoters must be active in the current annual NCNCA Club Membership. USAC Annual licenses are also required to qualify for championships. USA Cycling Race Licenses for Adults and Juniors (6-18 years old) can be found on USA Cycling website. Out-of-District Racers are allowed to participate but will not qualify for championship podiums. Northern California Nevada Cycling Association Territory USAC hereby recognizes the NCNCA as the USAC Local Association for the disciplines of road, track, cyclo-cross, mountain bike, gravel, gran fondo and fun ride (“Covered Disciplines”).
The NCNCA shall be USAC’s sole Local Association in the following geographic area: The California counties of Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba. The Nevada counties of Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, White Pine.
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Saturday, April 26th
10AM – Coffee Ride W/ Enduro Bearings: Join Bicycle Law and the Hopper crew for coffee and a “no drop” shakeout ride starting at Black Oak Coffee in Ukiah, CA. Post ride Lunch included! Meet: 476 N State St, Ukiah, CA 95482
5PM-8PM Packet Pickup: Join us at the Ukiah Welcome Center for packet pickup
Sunday, April 27th
5:30AM-8AM Packet pickup: Pick up your rider packet at the Golf Cub House at Todd Grove Park. Hot coffee and pastries included at packet pickup
7:30 AM: Staging at Ukiah Highschool
8:00 AM Staggered age group starts.Stay tuned for exact times
12:30-5 PM: After Party and Celebration with lunch, beer, fun activities, podiums. There will be a podium for the Grasshopper and separate podium for the NCNCA Championship. -
Registration opens October 7, 2024 and closes April 23, 2025
Day-of registration is available if the event is not sold out and incurs an additional $20 fee on top of standard registration fee.
The deadline to transfer your registration to another rider is April 23, 2025 at 11:59PM PST
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Packet pick up will be available the evening of April 26th from 5-7PM at the Ukiah Welcome Center in Downtown Ukiah as well as the morning of the event on April 27th from 6-8AM at Tod Grove Park
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Grasshoppers have always been about adventure, exploration and pushing your limits. Come to race, or come to adventure and explore. Riders may choose their category and licenses are not required. All Hopper routes are open and riders must obey all traffic laws and rules. See RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
Grasshopper Categories
Male: Pro, U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Female: Pro, U19, 19-29,30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Non BinaryNCNCA Registration Categories
Junior 12-14, Juniors 15-16, Juniors 17-18, U23 Men, Open Men: 23-34, Masters (men) - 35-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Junior 12-14, Juniors 15-16, Juniors 17-18,U23 Women, Open Women: 23-34, Masters (women) 35-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
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Parking is available at:
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Hospitality partner: TBD
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Tent Camping: Tent camping is available on the baseball field at the end of the Anton Stadium Parking Lot
Van Camping: Van camping is available in the Anton Stadium Parking Lot
SEE MAP
Blue = Tent Camping Green = Van Camping -
It’s a Hopper, what can we say?! There will always be times you feel like you’re on the wrong bike 😉 This is definitely a gravel bike event. Long course is smooth pavement from mile 33-50. The ideal set up depends on your strengths/weaknesses. The best choice would be tires with slight tread and small side nobs. Ideally 40-42. Several of us have ridden the course recently and this was perfect!
Note: E-Bikes are not permitted at this event.
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We’ve created a group page for riders. You can post if you are looking for an entry, looking to sell a spot, have questions about tires and road conditions, looking to ride share, camping/lodging etc. To join the group, go to Grasshopper Group. (Note: This is NOT the official Grasshopper Facebook page)
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Long Course:
Aid Station 1: Mile 15.8 Aid Station 2: Mile 32 (Bottle drop ONLY at Aid Station 2) Aid Station 3: Mile 57
Mediano Course:
Aid Station: Mile 15.8 (NO bottle/bag drop!)
Chiquito (Short) Course:
Aid Station: Mile 10
Bottle Drop: If you wish to leave a bottle with your name clearly labeled on it you may leave it with the
NorCal BikeSport van at the start. (Bottle/Bag drop ONLY at Aid Station 2, No hand-ups) .
ALL riders must fill their own bottles. Individual support is not allowed at the feed zone. No attacking in the feed zone area or you will be DQd and excommunicated from the church of bike. -
A crazy hard, super fun adventure with a bunch of your new and old cycling buddies.
Feed zones with Skratch and GU Energy Labs hydration & nutrition. Presented by Trailhouse, NorCal Bike Sport, and Bike Peddler.
Awesome prizes at the finish from our generous sponsors.
Event timing and results.
Hot coffee and fresh baked pastries from Black Oak Coffee Roasters the morning of each event.
Delicious lunch, cold Guayaki and Best Day Brewing beer at the finish.
Podiums for Top 3 All Categories long courses, and for Top 3 M/F/NB Overall short courses.
Cash prizes for Top 3 Pro M/F Overall.
Emergency Medical Support en route.
Unforgettable stories of adventure.
Free event photos from FinisherPix.
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