Bear Howard Gravel Race
Aug 2nd, 2025
100 mile, 60 mile, and 30 mile Gravel Rides
Flagstaff AZ
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
2025 as our th 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!
The DEETS-
RACE- To be clear I am no Bear Howard except when drinking whiskey. Nor will any animals be harmed in this race, just your own ego and self inflicted pain. We set out to capture the will and determination in this course, that Bear Howard and his legacy would be proud of. Don’t be surprised when you are offered a Whiskey hand up. Sure we will have all the goodies, fuels, and electrolytes available to you more serious folk. When hitting the gravel roads of N. Arizona, we hope you can feel the same sense of adventure as we did, and live your legacy like Bear Howard!
COURSE- RideGPS, COURSE FILES HERE- HOLD TIGHT, WAITING APPROVAL FROM COCONINO FS.
100 Miles- Here
60 Miles- Here
30 Miles-Here
BEAR HOWARD COURSE DESCRIPTION- Approximately 100 miles of prime gravel riding in the shadow of the “Peaks” of N. Arizona. Consider it a tour of Flagstaff, taking in views of Kendrick, Sitgreaves and of course the San Francisco Peaks. With over 6,000 ft of elevation gain, this is no walk in the park. The primary traffic is cattle, so it's time to giddy up!
Now in its 4th year, I have a better indication of what this event is and the spirit of this event. As stated above the 100 mile course is NO JOKE. It is both challenging in its features, it will test your bike handling ability. It is challenging in its terrain, while does not have the 10K in climbing of the crusher, what it does have is technical riding and exposure to the elements. It is not the distance of UNBOUND, we continue to get feedback that this is epic and certainly no walk in the park. I guess what I am say is this is a challenging course and should not be underestimated. But if it is a challenge you are looking for than LETS GO!
Starting in town the Bear Howard gives you a gentle warm up, rolling out of town on pavement HWY 180. Making your way N for a little over 6 miles until you take a left on 222. This is where the race will start. There is a short loop around Wing Mountain and then you will
FS 222 and while not steep this will sting. At this point you are so close you can smell the bacon. With the route being mostly downhill with about 12 miles to go, at this point it will be about avoiding any rocks for a late race flat. The Route will funnel you into Thorpe Park where please be courteous of other users, but we will have signs and flags on this urban trail. That will funnel you right into the Lowell Observatory Mesa where they discovered Mars, no big deal. Maybe not the most gentle finish but memorable. That is a wrap, and now the party starts!
Bear Howard Metric Century- For those intimidated by the distance of the Bear Howard this is a great loop to get you started in the game. This is a nearly 60 mile loop staying west of the peaks but almost always having them in view. With 2,800 ft of climbing this is also not an easy ride! While the fast guys roll it in under 3 hours there are plenty that are coming in around the 4 hour mark. Hopefully giving you an indication of what you are signing up for!
The BHM start from town the same as BH and will continue on 180. This is early in the ride and there still may be big groups. Please be cautious and courteous and obey all traffic laws. We will have a volunteer to direct traffic for a left hand turn onto FS 222 and ride around the N. side of wing mountain. This will land you on FS 171 and this is a fast but false flat up to the base of Kendrick. Here you will take a sharp left and make your way to Government Prarie. This section is fast and net downhill. You will be able to enjoy incredible views of the Peaks, Sitgreves and Kendrick in the rear view mirror.
From this point on the course, your are on course the same as the 100 miler. You are in for a treat and you can thank us now or later……..
There will be two neutral aid stations on course. We will provide top shelf fueling provided by Hammer Nutrition, the leader in in endurance fuels, but like I said we don’t be surprised to find some frontier options (whiskey, jerky, maybe some fur coats if the weather turns bad)
FUN PART- Our mission is to provide top tier events in organization and course design, but we understand they we are not for everyone. No series points on the line, no big pay out (maybe one day). Obviously we are not even that high of a profile race, but we do know how to have fun.
Stick around after the race for our awards and after party that will be held at Toasted Owl in Flagstaff. We will be doing awards and live music TBA in following corrispondence. All race participants will have a ticket that gets them an entry to a good ol’ fashioned ho down if you will. Racing like it used to be.
ACCOMMODATIONS- Plenty of options for hotels and AirBnB’s.
RULES AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DON'T BE A JERK.
You know what that means. Don’t cheat, cut the course, punch the guy next to you in the finish line chute, yelling at volunteers etc. This is supposed to fun remember!
Obey all the traffic laws, the road is open to traffic
For the most part, stay on your side of the road. There are a few roads where you know you have to liberty to use the whole road. If you do encounter a car on the gravel roads, PLEASE get over let them by.
There is one section on a state highway on 180 that will be posted and have a volunteer to direct traffic as riders cross. But please, please for the future of the event obey all traffic laws.
CAN I USE A GPS?
Yes! While we embrace the spirit of the frontier, we recognize we are in the 21st century. We have upped our game in course marking and will have arrows ribbon and paint on the road to show you the way. Also a GPS files.
CAN I GET A REFUND?
No. We will not be offering refunds or comp'd entries for the next year of any kind. We work very hard to put on a quality event for all of our riders, and amazing events cost a tremendous amount of time and money to organize. Sorry but this isn’t an easy gig.
I LIKE BEER. WILL THERE BE BEER AT Bear Howard?
Great, we like beer too, although this event we may be more prone to Whiskey, but we understand that isn’t for everyone. So Absolutely! Yes Saturday to reward your efforts we will have some beer, to…… you know properly hydrate!
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT?
Support crews make the ride more fun, but they’re definitely not required. We will offer neutral water and nutrition at the two aid stations. There will be a limited supply of basic parts, tubes mostly…..so pack accordingly.
*Be Kind to the aid volunteers, they are not your personal mechanic or even your personal support, they are friendly and will assist how they can, so be aware they are also assisting other racers.
If you have dietary restrictions, please consider packing enough food on your bike for the entire ride.
WHAT IS DNF?
Did Not Finish. That’s okay, there is always next year and now you know what to expect!
WILL THE COURSE BE MARKED?
Yes. The course will be fully marked with ground paint, flagging and signs at every turn and questionable intersections. Full GPS maps will be available to download.
WHEN IS THE RIDER’S MEETING/REGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP?
Packet Pick up and late registration will be Friday only from 2-6pm in the parking lot of Dark Sky Brewing.
Location HERE- 117 North Beaver Street & 103 W. Birch Ave
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Rider Meeting 7 am- at Flagstaff High School more details to follow.
IF I BRING MY SOMEONE ALONG WILL THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO?
HECK YA! We have great food, great bars, great coffee, is there really anything else. On Saturday your friends or family are more than invited to meet you at the finish line. If they are ambitious and just don’t want to race, the Grand Canyon one of the worlds wonders is just a short hour and 30 minutes away. If they want to hike or run or adventure Flagstaff has some of the best trails in N. Arizona. Bring your crew. They will love it.