gravel cup canada
p/b
Gravel Cycling adventures in Canada’s Capital Region.
Montu is a series partner for 2025. Check out their bikes, wheels, and apparel at Montu.cc
we are gravel cup
Based in the Gravel Cycling Mecca that is Canada’s National Capital Region, Brendan Gorman created Gravel Cup to share his passion for gravel riding, and to provide a platform for gravel cycling enthusiasts to explore new routes, and challenge themselves on a variety of gravel genres. He’s spent countless hours literally lost in the woods, curating the best gravel routes that Ottawa and it’s surrounding counties have to offer. Pick a Gravel Cup route and ride it on your own terms, or better yet, join us for a Gravel Cup event and share the journey with fellow Gravel Grinders.
Brendan Gorman / Gravel Kingpin
Charlie Gorman / Gravel Techy
Jennifer Stephenson / Gravel Reconnaissance
Michael Nash / Gravel Orchestrator
CLOSEST HOSPITALS FROM CALABOGIE COMMUNITY HALL
Renfrew Victoria Hospital
Renfrew Victoria Hospital; 499 Raglan Street North, Renfrew, Ontario, K7V 1P6
CLOSEST HOSPITAL FROM BACK FORTY ARTISAN CHEESE
Perth District Hospital
Perth District Hospital 33 DRUMMOND STREET WEST, PERTH, ON K7H 2K1
Arnprior Regional Health
Arnprior Regional Health 350 John Street North, Arnprior, ON, Canada K7S 2P6
CLOSEST Hospitals to Maxville Fairgrounds
CORNWALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL: 840 McConnell Ave, Cornwall, ON, K6H 5S5
Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH): 20260 County Rd 43, Alexandria, ON, K0C 1A0
Sponsors
bushtukah
We are proud to have Bushtukah as a series sponsor for 2025.
Bushtukah has locations throughout the National Capital to help you gear up for your outdoor adventures, whether it be cycling, skiing, camping, hiking or more. Visit them in store or online at Bushtukah.com.
www.Montu.cc
Montu is a Canadian business started by husband and wife Hani & Katharine in 2021 in Arnprior, Ontario, Canada.
We created Montu to bring some soul into the world of bicycles and technical cycling apparel. We make products that reflect who we are and what we want: to enjoy the freedom of cycling and to celebrate the growing geographical and cultural diversity of endurance sports. Montu is a Canadian company with roots in Egypt. Our design and product development philosophy showcases elements that define and connect the different cultural and historical influences that make us who we are. ‘Montu’ is an ancient Egyptian God signifying strength, courage and victory.
GRAVEL CUP FAQ
1. WHAT TYPE OF BIKE DO I NEED?
Any type of bike. It can be a mountain bike, hybrid, road bike, gravel bike. We recommend that your tire width is at least 32-35mm. The best recommendation is to use the widest tire that your bike can fit.
2. ARE THESE EVENTS RACES?
The event is a cyclosportive, not a race. It is timed and there are results but there is no requirement to race. Many people don't. Those who want to ride for fun and/or challenge themselves are most welcome. These events are open to all cyclists of all abilities and levels. As with many cyclosportives these events are open to traffic and rules of the road apply.
3. WHY DO I NEED TO BUY A “MEMBERSHIP” with Ontario Cycling?
NOTE: THE BACK FORTY HIGHLANDER IS OPEN TO DAY PERMITS
The series is sanctioned with Ontario Cycling which provides significantly enhanced insurance coverage for both organizers and participants in comparison to many other similar events. Ontario Cycling requires that each participant purchase a type of membership that allows riders to participate in Ontario Cycling events.
4. WHAT TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP DO I NEED?
NOTE: THE BACK FORTY HIGHLANDER IS OPEN TO DAY PERMITS
All OCA membership options qualify for Gravel Cup participation. For those who just want to compete in Gravel Cup the recommended option would be the “Challenge” membership. You can also participate in Gravel Cup with a cheaper “Community” membership. The “Community” membership has reduced liability insurance ($5 million) and no “sport accident” coverage.
5. WHICH ROUTE SHOULD I CHOOSE?
When in doubt choose the shorter route. The MEDIO course is an excellent & popular option for those wishing to challenge themselves over a more reasonable distance. We try to keep the EPIC around 120km, the MEDIO at 70-80km & the PETIT at 30-40km with adjustments made for elevation. If choosing the EPIC, we have a soft time cut of around 5 hours 30 minutes. To achieve this, you need to average 20-22km/hr.
6. WHAT ARE THE ROUTES LIKE?
The Gravel Cup routes aim to keep you on your bike. We use roads that are challenging & fun but not overly gnarly. The courses are a mix of mostly maintained roads & any unmaintained roads we use are in decent enough shape to be fully ridden. The most enjoyable roads tend to be the single lane treed gravel roads known as "no winter maintenance" roads simply because they don't get ploughed in the winter; otherwise, they are usually in good condition.
7. ROAD SHOES OR MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES?
Mountain bike shoes are recommended but the courses can generally be done with road shoes and pedals.
8. HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED ON COURSE?
a. We have fully stocked aid stations with food & drink &
b. Local ATV clubs along with a few vehicles will be patrolling the route to ensure everyone arrives back safely & any injuries are assessed quickly to determine what action is required. Many events have St. John's Ambulance staff on hand to provide First Aid treatment.