STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colorado — A new gravel event is set to debut in Colorado’s Yampa Valley this spring, as Outlaw Gravel rolls into Steamboat Springs on May 31 with a format designed to blend competition, strategy, and community.
Unlike traditional mass-start gravel races, Outlaw Gravel introduces an enduro-style structure, where riders tackle four timed segments separated by untimed transition sections. The approach allows competitors to go full gas on key stretches while regrouping, recovering, and riding socially between efforts—something founder Garett Mariano says reflects how many cyclists already train.
“This is how we ride during the week—hard efforts on the right roads, then roll together and prepare for what’s next,” Mariano said. “It’s competitive but grounded, and a great early-season format.”
The event will start and finish at Olympian Hall, sending riders onto the rolling gravel roads that have helped make Routt County one of the country’s premier cycling destinations. Participants can choose between a 66-mile course featuring four timed segments or a shorter 40-mile option with three segments. Both distances are open to solo riders as well as two- and four-person teams, adding a tactical element that rewards pacing and teamwork as much as raw power.
In contrast to the increasingly large fields seen at many gravel events, organizers have capped the inaugural edition at just 300 riders. The smaller field is intended to create a more relaxed and rider-focused experience, with smoother logistics and a more personal atmosphere throughout the day.
The final timed segment returns riders to Olympian Hall for a fast finish, setting up a spectator-friendly sprint before rolling directly into a post-race celebration featuring local food, drinks, and live music.
Outlaw Gravel also carries a deeper community connection. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Dirt to Snow – Mark Satkiewicz Legacy Fund. The contribution honors Mark Satkiewicz, the visionary behind SBT GRVL, whose work helped establish Steamboat Springs as a major hub in the national gravel scene. A passionate husband, father, mentor, and leader, he made Steamboat a more welcoming and inclusive place, championing equality and expanding opportunities for women in sport and professional spaces. The fund supports youth access to cycling and snow sports in Routt County.
With its mix of scenic riding, strategic racing, and grassroots feel, Outlaw Gravel aims to carve out a distinct niche on Colorado’s crowded gravel calendar—offering an alternative for riders looking to balance competition with camaraderie early in the season.
Event Details:
May 31 — Outlaw Gravel, Steamboat Springs, CO, Four timed segments with untimed roads between, Distances: 66 miles (four timed segments) and 40 miles (three timed segments), Garrett Mariano, 970-846-9206, [email protected], outlawgravel.com
