Bear Howard Gravel Race
Aug 2nd, 2025
100 mile, 60 mile, and 30 mile Gravel Rides
Flagstaff AZ
It turns out, Flagstaff did have a raucous period around the time the railroad reached Flagstaff in August of 1882. We transformed into a Wild West boomtown, complete with gunfights and brawls. 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. Bear Howard Gravel ride is as unique as the story that made up the west!
2025 as our 5th year we have kept the good stuff and have learned from some of our mistakes to make this year the best yet! 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.
After changing the direction of the 100 and 60 last year and getting nothing but positive feedback based on the racing dynamic we will use the simply state if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
For those who have been with us for the last few years, Lowell Observatory is again our finish! With that Lowell has just completed a state of the art observatory and visitors center that we invite to you bring your family and visit while waiting for you to finish or post race, mixing wild west history with the future of space!
The DEETS-
RACE- 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 without spending time in San Quentin! We are offering three distances again. The 100 is the crown jewel. Sure some courses have more climbing, some courses are even a bit or a lot longer but this gravel century is no joke. Sprinkled with a little asphalt but mostly gravel and a cool section of single track with just over 6k of total elevation gain, this course is a test of your meddle for sure!
Our 60 is the perfect blend of racing and fun and captures some of the best parts of the 100 course.
The just over 30, is fast fun and an easy course to follow if you are new to the sport. All still part of the 60 and 100 so giving the new rider a sense of what to expect.
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-
Now in its 5th 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 as well as your fitness. 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 we are here for it! LETS GO!
Bear Howard Metric Century- For those not quite ready for the Bear Howard 100, because of injury, lack of training time or just wanting to have fun….this is a great loop to get you started in the game. This is just over a 60 mile loop staying west of the peaks but almost always having them in view. With 2,800 ft of climbing this is also a worthy endeavor! While the fast guys roll it in just over 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!
BH 30- Simply the Bud Light of Bear Howard. You get the start and end of the big loops, just not the filling of the middle.
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. But please make yourself familiar with the course and major intersections or turns, we do the best we can and continue to improve but missing turns happen.
RIDER’S MEETING/REGISTRATION PACKET PICKUP?
Packet Pick up and late registration will be Friday only from 3-6pm in the parking lot of Dark Sky Brewing.
Location HERE- 117 North Beaver Street & 103 W. Birch Ave
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Rider Meeting 6:15 am- at Flagstaff High School for the 100. 6:30 am mass start for 100
7:45 racer meeting for the 60 mi. 8 a.m. race start for the 60
30 mile race start 8:15
IF I BRING MY SOMEONE ALONG WILL THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO?
HECK YA! We have great food, bars, coffee, is there really anything else. On Saturday your friends or family are more than invited to meet you at the finish line which again is atop Lowell Observatory. This year they have a brand new state of the art visitors center and we will be offering up a Bear Howard discount to take advantage of.
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.