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The Grand Epic // 131 miles • 13,400' elevation • 45% gravel
The Grand Epic is the longest course option and contains 3 KOM segments. It begins with over 55 miles of scenic tarmac running along the Chesboro and Uvas reservoirs, and then up into the hills above Gilroy. A loop back past the parking spot gives riders the opportunity to drop off lights and refill water bottles. From there it's on to Rancho Cañada del Oro for the start of the gravel portion of the ride.
The route winds through 5 different county parks and open space preserves, topping out at the Cube on Mt Umunhum about 100 miles into the ride. It's all down hill from there (as they say) with a blistering road descent, and then back into the gravel as you make you way back through Quicksilver and Calero for a second time.
This ride will challenge your legs and your resolve, but you'll be rewarded with some of the best riding the South Bay has to offer.
Course Notes
Parking for this course is a pullout along Oak Glen Ave. Please don't leave valuables in your vehicle.
This is a long route, plan accordingly. Rancho Cañada del Oro opens at 7am, and all parks close at sunset. Consider starting this ride in the dark if you think you might need more than 12 hours to complete the ride.
While the Big & Mini Epic are fully unsupported, Grand Epic riders are permitted to stop at their vehicles as they pass the parking location on the way Rancho Cañada del Oro (about 51 miles in). Riders may refill on water & food and change clothing. Equipment changes like wheel swaps are not permitted.
At the top of Country View Drive near selfie location #4, you'll need to climb over the gate to enter Santa Teresa Park.
If you're looking for a good estimate for how long this ride will take you, consider installing the Better Moving Times Chrome plugin for Strava.
Plan on carrying all the water you need and refilling from the locations below. Reservoir water in the area is contaminated with mercury and is not suitable for filtering.
KOM Segments:
Roop Road Climb - 1.41 miles, average grade 6.3%, total elevation gain 480 ft
Country View Drive Climb - 1.77 miles, average grade 6.4%, total elevation gain 806 ft
Umunhum Rd Climb to start of the single track - 1.68 miles, average grade 10.3%, total elevation gain 916 ft
Water & restroom locations*:
Rancho Cañada del Oro (restroom only, mile 55.8)
Rancho San Vicente parking lot (mile 68.2 & mile 86.5)
Santa Teresa parking lot (mile 82)
Almaden Quicksilver Hacienda parking lot (mile 89 & mile 114.6)
Selfie locations*:
Start of the ride (mile 0)
Intersection of Cañada & Gilroy Hot Springs Rd (mile 22.9)
First gravel segment, Mayfair Ranch Trail in Rancho Cañada del Oro (mile 55.8)
Graffitied shipping container at the top of Country View Dr (mile 71.5)
The Cube (mile 98.4)
Mine Hill Rotary Furnace ruins (mile 106.2)
End of the ride (mile 131)
* Mileage numbers are approximate. Restrooms and water fountain availability may be impacted by COVID restrictions. Registered riders will be updated on current conditions closer to the event.
The Big Epic // 73 miles • 10,700' elevation • 75% gravel
The Big Epic route is exactly the same as the Grand Epic, minus the 55 miles of road at the beginning. This is the course with the highest percentage of gravel, and no one would blame you if you wanted to tackle this bad boy on a mountain bike.
All the gravel, 80% of the climbing, 55% of the miles, and 2 KOM segments. One epic day in the saddle.
Course Notes
Parking for this course is at the (free) lot in Rancho Cañada del Oro. The park opens at 7am and closes at sunset. Make sure you're able to finish the course in time or you risk getting ticketed.
At the top of Country View Drive near selfie location #2, you'll need to climb over the gate to enter Santa Teresa Park.
If you're looking for a good estimate for how long this ride will take you, consider installing the Better Moving Times Chrome plugin for Strava.
Plan on carrying all the water you need and refilling from the locations below. Reservoir water in the area is contaminated with mercury and is not suitable for filtering.
KOM Segments:
Country View Drive Climb - 1.77 miles, average grade 6.4%, total elevation gain 806 ft
Umunhum Rd Climb to start of the single track - 1.68 miles, average grade 10.3%, total elevation gain 916 ft
Water & restroom locations*:
Rancho Cañada del Oro (restroom only, mile 0, mile 73)
Rancho San Vicente parking lot (mile 13.7 & mile 29.9)
Santa Teresa parking lot (mile 27.7)
Almaden Quicksilver Hacienda parking lot (mile 32.3 & mile 57.1)
Selfie locations*:
Start of the ride (mile 0)
Graffitied shipping container at the top of Country View Dr (mile 17)
The Cube (mile 41.8)
Mine Hill Rotary Furnace ruins (mile 48.6)
End of the ride (mile 73)
* Mileage numbers are approximate. Restrooms and water fountain availability may be impacted by COVID restrictions. Registered riders will be updated on current conditions closer to the event.
The Mini Epic // 50 miles • 6,300' elevation • 65% gravel
The Mini Epic is almost the same as the Big Epic course, but it bypasses Santa Teresa Park which contains some of the most technical sections found on the longer routes. It also descends Hicks Rd from Mt Umunhum, skipping the second loop through Quicksilver but providing riders with a beautiful road descent and views of Almaden Reservoir. This course option has 1 KOM segment.
There's really nothing mini about the Mini Epic -- with over 6,300' of climbing in just under 50 miles, this course is not to be underestimated.
Course Notes
Parking for this course is at the (free) lot in Rancho Cañada del Oro. The park opens at 7am and closes at sunset. Make sure you're able to finish the course in time or you risk getting ticketed.
If you're looking for a good estimate for how long this ride will take you, consider installing the Better Moving Times Chrome plugin for Strava.
Plan on carrying all the water you need and refilling from the locations below. Reservoir water in the area is contaminated with mercury and is not suitable for filtering.
KOM Segment:
Umunhum Rd Climb to start of the single track - 1.68 miles, average grade 10.3%, total elevation gain 916 ft
Water & restroom locations*:
Rancho Cañada del Oro (restroom only, mile 0, mile 50)
Rancho San Vicente parking lot (not technically on course, but you'll be close by at mile 13 and mile 36)
Almaden Quicksilver Hacienda parking lot (mile 15.7 & mile 33.9)
Selfie locations*:
Start of the ride (mile 0)
Mine Hill Rotary Furnace ruins (mile 18.1)
The Cube (mile 25.1)
End of the ride (mile 50)
* Mileage numbers are approximate. Restrooms and water fountain availability may be impacted by COVID restrictions. Registered riders will be updated on current conditions closer to the event.
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