Cycling’s quirkiest event promoter brings back popular gravel grinder series

SuperPro Racingโ€™s Christon DeWan lives the dream at the Tainthammer (SuperPro Racing/Ted Ketai).

SuperPro Racingโ€™s Christon DeWan lives the dream at the Tainthammer (SuperPro Racing/Ted Ketai).

Cyclingโ€™s quirkiest event promoter Murphy Mack brings back his popular Gravel Gauntlet Series for the 2016 season, adding two more rounds for a total of five events. These fast and furious gravel rides each rock a different personality, all of which test your skill, strength and endurance โ€“ and ultimately determine whoโ€™s the king and queen of the California gravel scene.

The 2016 schedule is expected to kick off with the renowned Tainthammer on February 20 in Gustine. The Tainthammer features 110 miles of the worst California Central Valley roads that race organizers could find. Horrible pavement, compressed sand, gravel, washboard, potholes, and headwinds make up this sufferfest.

Also back for 2016 is Mensoโ€™s SLO Ride to Hell on March 5 out of Santa Margarita, in which pro racer Menso de Jong takes riders on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. A 75-mile route with massive views, screaming descents, and twists and turns on backcountry mountain tops that will leave you dizzy.

The series wouldnโ€™t be the same without Rumble in the Ranchlands in Mariposa, taking place on March 19 and featuring an 82-mile rolling route through the Sierra foothills not far from Yosemite Valley. Youโ€™ll ride up and down scenic dirt roads and double tracks, in and out of steep river valleys, yielding to cows along the way.

Toss in brand new venues Shevockโ€™s Sierra Surprise in Foresthill on March 12 and the series finale in Panoche Desert Hills in Firebaugh on April 2, and youโ€™re looking at one hell of a kick-ass series, sure to please even the most discerning cycling masochist.

Each event will boast SuperPro Racingโ€™s signature support including great food and prizes, fully stocked aid stations and more. Individual event registration is available or snag your Gravel SuperPass for savings on the entire series. The Series SuperPass also gets you a sweet California Gravel Gauntlet full-zip, water resistant jacket, great for those post ride times when your blood sugar is hitting the floor.

For the series schedule, details and registration, visit superproracing.com.

Seeing double on the Tainthammer course (SuperPro Racing/Ted Ketai).

Seeing double on the Tainthammer course (SuperPro Racing/Ted Ketai).