To our Heart of Gold Gravel community,
First off, thank you!
Heart of Gold Gravel is built on big miles, beautiful dirt, tough climbs, fast descents, and the kind of rider community that makes this event special. Every year, we get to welcome you into the Sierra foothills for a day of grit, good vibes, and gravel adventure. We take that seriously.
We have been listening to feedback from the 2025 event, and we want to be straight with you: our course marking was not where it needed to be.
Better Marks, Better Miles
Clear course marking is a huge part of a great race day. When you are deep into the ride, pushing hard, chasing friends, managing nutrition, or just trying to keep the rubber sidedown, you should be able to trust the course.
In 2025, we did not deliver that experience for every rider. Some of you dealt with confusion, missed turns, or uncertainty out there, and that is not the ride we want for you.
We sincerely apologize to everyone whose day was impacted.
Your feedback was heard loud and clear, and we are using it to make the 2026 Heart of Gold Gravel better.
2026: We Are Going Big on Navigation
For the 2026 Heart of Gold Gravel event, scheduled for October 17, 2026, course marking and rider navigation are getting a full send upgrade.
We are tightening up our plan across all three distances so the routes are clearer, more consistent, and easier to follow from the rollout at Pioneer Park all the way to the finish.
Short Course
We are improving markings at quick turns, neighborhood transitions, and local intersections so riders can stay smooth and keep the flow going.
Medium Course
We are boosting visibility at key decision points, including important junctions near North Bloomfield and Moores Flat Road, so there is less second guessing and more riding.
Long Course
We are adding backup markings in higher mileage and more remote sections, giving riders extra confidence when the legs are cooked and the adventure is fully on.
What Is Changing
For 2026, we are putting a stronger system in place.
More dedicated marking time
We are building in additional time before the event for our crew to mark, review, and double check the routes before race day.
Better, brighter signage
We are leveling up from basic flagging with high visibility directional arrows and clearer signage at critical intersections.
More marshal support
We are adding more stationary course marshals at complex or high priority decision points to help keep riders moving in the right direction.
Thanks for Keeping Us Honest
Heart of Gold Gravel is more than a course. It is a community, a challenge, a fundraiser, and a celebration of bikes, dirt, and the Sierra foothills.
We appreciate every rider who showed up, rode hard, shared feedback, and helped us improve. That feedback makes the event stronger, and we are grateful for it.
We are fired up for 2026, and we are committed to giving you a better marked, more dialed in, more confidence inspiring ride.
See you at Pioneer Park. Bring the legs, bring the stoke, and get ready for a great day on gravel.
With appreciation,
Big Blue Adventure & the Heart of Gold Team
