SBT GRVL — Blue Course
SBT GRVL's 73-mile recreational distance through Steamboat Springs, incorporating Black Course highlights with a scenic early return to town.
The vibe
Big-event energy without the 108-mile commitment
The Blue Course is SBT GRVL for riders who want the full event experience without the full 108-mile commitment. At 73 miles and 5,843 feet of climbing on 65% gravel, it shares significant sections with the Black Course — the same roads, the same mountain views, the same Steamboat atmosphere — before peeling off for an earlier return to town. You get the best of what makes SBT GRVL special without spending the entire day in the saddle.
Starting at 7:00 AM (30 minutes after the elite Black wave), Blue riders get to experience the event infrastructure at full activation: aid stations properly staffed, mechanicals covered, the course well-marked. The shorter distance means finishing with enough energy to actually enjoy the post-race celebration rather than just collapsing near the finish line.
For riders building toward the Black Course in future years, the Blue is a genuine preview — it uses the same terrain and tests the same skills, just in a shorter format. It also works for riders who simply want a 70-mile gravel day in the mountains without the racing-oriented atmosphere of the Black. Register at sbtgrvl.com when registration opens.