Bear Howard Gravel Race

We love the spirit of the west and this is our homage to an Arizona legend. Jessie “Bear” Howard who was, a bear of a man. At 6’4” it was said he could “whip just about anyone” even in his twilight years. The stories inflated and outgrew the man, but like the extinction of Arizona’s grizzly he so lustily aided, Bear’s end in 1910 marked the end of an era…..until now! In the spirit of adventure and exploration, like Bear Howard himself, we came up with this event to leave you feeling legendary (if only in your own mind). Sure the stories that follow around the campfire will be exaggerated and inflated, fueled by whiskey and grandeur, but we promise you adventure and a good time with this classic ride in the shadow of Flagstaffs peaks

2024 as our fourth year we have kept the good stuff and have learned from some of our mistakes to make this year even better! The start and finish will still be in the town of Flagstaff and we have decided to keep the challenging out and back climb up Saddle Mountain for the 100. In 2023 we added a loop of 30 miles for those that maybe gravel curious, if the 100 and 60 seem a little intimidating. All legends start somewhere, who will be Arizona’s next Bear Howard Legend. For this year we are throwing a little wrench in the mix for the 100 and 60 and doing loop clockwise, leaving the climbing for the back end of the 100. This is in hopes that it adds more of a race tactic for those looking for a little more than just an adventure!