WALLA WALLA GRIT




Where the rubber leaves the road

Sunday September 8th 2024

the best gravel roads Walla Walla has to offer, brought to you by Allegro Cyclery

registration closes 11:59 PM Friday, September 6th

What is the grit?

Is it a race, or a ride?


It could go either way. You are given a number and timed, so it ​might be a race. With three stunning routes and plenty of well-​stocked aid stations, it could be a ride.


Is it a challenge to find the perfect bike, or a challenge to ​be the most under-biked?

Be ready to push your bike to the limit. The grit course will make ​you question the line between gravel riding and mountain biking, ​and find the balance between comfort and speed.


With years of experience running the Tour of Walla Walla stage ​race, Michael and Kathryn Austin have taken to the gravel race ​scene like ducks to water. With a route co-designed by Matt ​Faunt, you're (almost) guaranteed to have a good time.

White Facebook Logo Social Media Icon
Flat Fill Twitter Icon
Black Instagram Logo

BAMBINO

Paved: 27.5 miles

Unpaved: 17 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,407 ft

Max Grade: 12.1%

Recomended tire size: 40 mm

Aid stations at miles 17.7, 30.7

Registration Fee: $75

MEDIO

Paved: 31.6 miles

Unpaved: 33.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 5,846 ft

Max Grade: 12.4 %

Recomended tire size: 40 mm

Aid stations at miles 17.7, 31.5, 51.5

Registration Fee: $85

GRANDE

Paved: 34 miles

Unpaved: 61.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 9,777 ft

Max Grade: 13.2%

Recomended tire size: 42 - 50mm

Aid stations at miles 17.7, 31.5, 42, 66.5

Registration Fee: $95




WIDER TIRES+BETTER GEARING+TUBELESS

While there are steeper gravel climbs in the Walla Walla valley, all three grit courses take you over the Cottonwood Creek climb.

Chunky, dusty and loose, the road is less of a gravel road, and more of a rock garden at +10% gradients.

There is no shame in walking.

Rectangle Border Frame
Warning Sign Illustration

ATTENTION!

RWGPS and STRAVA routing software rely on their estimate of the route, and have been known to give deceiving turn-by-turn navigation or off-course warnings.

Use your best judgement on navigation, keeping an eye out for course markers -- sometimes the 'road' is not really a road, but two shrubberies with a little path running down the middle.

Rectangle Border Frame

Schedule

When

Sunday, september 8th, 2024

WHere

Number Pick-up

Saturday, September 7th, 2024

12 PM - 6 PM

Allegro Cyclery

200 e main st, walla walla, wa, 99362

Day of ​registration

Registration fee+$50 at Sign in

ask for michael austin

elevation gain: 10,000 ft

Grande| 95 miles

Sign in opens | 5:00 AM

RACE START| 6:00 AM

Elevation gain: 6,000 ft

Medio| 65 miles

Sign in opens | 7:00 AM

RACE START| 8:00 AM


Elevation gain: 3,500 ft

Bambino | 45 miles

Sign in opens | 8:00 AM

RACE START| 9:00 AM


*Plan to be at the start line 5-10 minutes before your race starts.

**All races have ~4 Miles of neutral rollout, to the bottom of the first Bump


CatEgories


Race times will be posted in Gran Fondo fashion, noting the following achievements in each race:

Top 3 Riders

Cool merch prizes + bragging rights.

Top Masters (50+)

Bragging Rights.

Top E-Bike

(timed seperately) Bragging Rights .

Top 3 Women

Cool merch prizes + bragging rights.

Top Extra Masters (60+)

Bragging Rights .


Results

DID WE MISS YOU? ​We’ll be in touch!

OR CONTACT info@ALLEGROCYCLERY.c​om to MAKE ADJUSTMENTS

THANKS TO ALL OUR AID STaTION VOLUNTEERS FOR LOOKING OUT FOR RIDERS AND GIV​ING US MORE RACE DATA!

THINK YOU HAD THE GRITTIEST DA​Y? SEND US YOUR STORY!

TIPS/FAQ

WEATHER

In early September, Walla Walla will ​either be hot and dusty, cold and ​raining, or something in between.

Road conditions vary drastically; rocky ​peanut butter mud and ten inches of ​fine powder 'moon dust' have both ​featured in past editions. Check the ​forecast and come prepared!

BIKE CHOICE

While we've had mountain bikes, gravel ​bikes, cyclocross bikes, touring bikes ​and even a few knobby-tire road bikes ​finish the course, a gravel bike with ​40mm+ tires and better than 1:1 ​gearing will feel the most comfortable. ​Visit your local bike shop for any bike ​upgrades!


As for the fastest bike, it comes down ​to technical skills, fitness and luck. ​Winners have historically ridden ​gravel/cyclocross bikes with 35mm - ​42mm tires to victory.

Be Self-Sufficient

Only you know the type of food and ​amount of water needed to get through ​the course, and only hindsight knows ​how many flat repairs you'll need.


Have enough food, water and bike tools ​to last between aid stations. Bring ​plenty of flat repairs, a derailleur hanger ​if it's muddy, or extra sunscreen if it's ​hot.


AMENITIES

Pre Race: Two bathrooms at Quirk ​open at 5 am. Short course riders can ​enjoy coffee at WW Roastery starting at ​8 AM.


Mid Race: Five curated aid stations, ​stocked with food, water, bike pumps ​and a limited amount of tools. There ​will be a bathroom at the 3rd aid station ​(mile 42) on the long course.


Post race: Enjoy a beer and food truck ​fare at one of the best race finish lines ​in Washington: Quirk Brewery!

AID STATIONS

Refreshments ​INCLUDE, BUT are ​NOT LIMITED TO:

water, coke, sports drinks, ​cookies, oreos, bars, gels, ​electrolytes, pickles, ​pickle juice, oranges, ​bananas, pretzels, pb&j, ​and coffee!

*All specifications are subject to change without notice

WE SUPPORT YOU

But all good things must ​come to an end. Our aid ​stations will close at ​predetermined times.

Aid station volunteers have ​been instructed to let riders ​know when they are cutting ​it close and may not make ​the next aid station's cut off, ​and offer alternative routes. ​At this point, expect to pack ​enough food, water and bike ​repair supplies to finish the ​ride.

Experience the 2021 Edition of the walla walla grit

Experience the 2022 Edition of the walla walla grit

Experience the 2023 Edition of the ​walla walla grit

Cancellation Policy

Since BikeReg offers third party registration insurance, the Walla Walla Grit will not ​offer any full refunds. Registered riders unable to participate due to injury, schedule ​conflicts, bike malfunctions, etc, may receive a 50% refund, defer their registration ​100% to 2025, or transfer their registration to another rider. Riders looking to transfer ​registration or switch courses can do so via email up to early-bird packet pick-up on ​September 7th. Riders switching to a shorter course mid-ride will be given a ride time, ​but will not receive a placement in their new course category.

Unfortunately, Walla Walla is subject to Wildfire Smoke blowing into the valley.

The following Air Quality Policy was modeled after Whitefish Montana's TLBR:

For AQI of ≤100, as reported on Weather Underground, we will ride.

If either

  1. The AQI falls between 100 to 180 (we still ride), or
  2. The AQI falls above 180 (race cancelled),

registered riders will be eligible for a 50% refund or 100% deferral to 2025. Cancellation due to course conditions will be decided by 5 AM on race day.

Join the Team

We are always looking for race ​support. From aiding riders on the ​road, to welcoming them home at ​the finish line, volunteers help make ​the Walla Walla Grit happen. ​Contact us today to get involved!

Phone Icon Vector. Telephone Icon Symbol Isolated. Call Icon

(509) 525-4949

email icon

info@allegrocyclery.com

White Facebook Logo Social Media Icon
Website Icon
Black Instagram Logo

To learn more about on-site ​camping, contact race director ​Michael Austin via email at

mike@allegrocyclery.com

Black Frame Rectangle Border
Black Frame Rectangle Border
Black Frame Rectangle Border
Black Frame Rectangle Border
Black Frame Rectangle Border