SBT GRVL — Red Course
SBT GRVL's 53-mile half-century through Steamboat's champagne gravel and rolling paved hills, with three aid stations and 4,198 ft of climbing.
The vibe
Champagne gravel, big smiles
Fifty-three miles is the right distance if you want the Steamboat experience without spending the whole day figuring out whether you made a mistake signing up. The Red Course mixes champagne gravel — the smooth, fast stuff that Steamboat’s backcountry roads are known for — with rolling paved sections, keeping it interesting without the sustained brutality of the longer distances. Three aid stations keep you fueled from start to finish.
At 4,198 feet of climbing over 53 miles, the Red Course is a genuine gravel ride that will work your legs, but it’s approachable for cyclists with a reasonable base of fitness. The 7:30 AM start is the latest of the morning waves, which means the sun is properly up by the time you’re rolling and the day is fully in motion around you.
Steamboat Springs as an event base is genuinely good: a proper mountain town with real infrastructure, easy parking, and a downtown worth spending time in before or after riding. The Red Course is also a natural step up for riders who’ve done the Green and want to see more of the course before committing to longer distances in future years.