EVERGREEN, Colo. (May 1, 2020) — Team Evergreen Cycling and Desert Gravel are teaming up to present the inaugural Co2uT gravel race, scheduled for October 10th, 2020. This unique “Desert Gravel” event starts and ends in Fruita, CO, and travels around and across the Colorado-Utah borderlands.
Taking advantage of all the vast and stunning Grand Valley, the Co2uT gravel race offers five different course options, named after the dinosaurs that once roamed the area. Courses range from the 30-mile “Fruitaden” up to the 185-mile ‘Allosaurus’ / a.k.a. “The BIG Monster”.
“The dinosaurs ranged in size and ferocity — just like our courses,” said Morgan Murri, Race Director and founder of Desert Gravel. “We wanted to offer a distance and route for everyone with affordable race fees to match. No matter which route you choose, you pay $1 per mile.”
A Perfect Fit
As the oldest and largest cycling club in Colorado, Team Evergreen Cycling has been organizing events for 32 years. Their Triple Bypass Ride, Mt. Evans Hillclimb and Beti Bike Bash race are Colorado favorites every year. While the Co2uT event will be their first foray in the very popular gravel racing realm, there is a hefty amount of gravel experience between Murri and the folks at Team Evergreen already, making this a logical partnership.
“The Co2uT is the perfect addition to Team Evergreen’s already diverse event offerings. Plus, Morgan’s out-of-the-box thinking, his goals as a race director and his commitment to his community are right in line with everything Team Evergreen stands for,” said Jen Barbour, Executive Director of Team Evergreen.
Co2uT promises to be a very welcoming event, with a totally unique landscape and a strong focus on bringing more women to the sport. This “strong focus” isn’t just a trendy tagline. Inspired by his daughter, Murri founded a girl-focused charity to reconnect kids with the wild and considers this event to be a natural extension. Through offering creative incentives to attract more women racers, Murri and Barbour are aiming for a 50/50 gender field split of its 1,000 participants, which would give the Co2uT the highest percentage of female participfants in a US gravel event yet.
Register With Peace of Mind
Rolling out a brand new event in the time of COVID-19 comes with its own set of challenges and solutions. As an example, the organizers are introducing a new, industry-leading, way of running registration and refunds.
“We want folks to register for Co2uT with confidence. None of us know if COVID-19 will flare-up in the future. But with great partners and solid planning, we’re able to offer several reassurances,” said Murri.
“First, we have a reasonable and comprehensive insurance policy when registering. Second, if our event must cancel due to COVID-19, we have a sliding scale percentage refund (from 100% to 25%) based on days in advance of the event. Finally, everyone has the option of full deferment to any Desert Gravel event in 2021. In short, we’ve got your back.”
In addition to the race itself, the folks at Desert Gravel are doing all they can to make this event a success for all participants. They’ll be offering camps (including a women-specific one), complementary training plans, coaching opportunities and recon rides. Because as Murri puts it, “Gravel riders know and love suffering. But we all know there are two kinds: one that you’re prepared and ready for. We like fun and want you to be prepared!”
Registration for the Co2ut will officially open Monday, June 1st. In true Team Evergreen fashion, the proceeds from the event will go to local non-profits within the host community. For more information visit www.desertgravel.com.
Update 5/8/2020: Co2uT Gravel Opens Pre-Reg. to Women on May 10
Desert Gravel and Team Evergreen will be opening pre-registration to women on May 10th, for their inaugural Co2uT gravel race, (scheduled in October). This unique event showcases all the Grand Valley has to offer (on and off-road) from Fruita, across the border of UT and back. And it’s aiming for a 50/50 gender field split of its 1,000 participants with some creative incentives to attract more women racers. This would give the Co2uT the highest percentage of female participants in a US gravel event to date.
Bringing More Women to the Sport
The first example of these “creative incentives” mentioned above, will come into play on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10th). A women’s-only pre-registration will open at 8 am / MST. The first 100 women to register, will receive a Co2uT “Gravel-Girl Promo.” This will include a 50% credit towards registration (for the same distance or shorter) to give to a sister, girlfriend, bestie, partner, daughter, niece, mother, grandmother etc.
“We’re reserving a spot for 200 female riders (which is 20% of our 1,000 rider limit). That’s a pretty good start towards our 50/50 goal, with more incentives to come, once general registration opens in June,“ said Event Director, Morgan Murri. As a father of two daughters, a seasoned USA cycling coach and a long-time endurance racer, Murri is deeply invested in the cause to bring more women to gravel racing, cycling and outdoor sports in general. Inspired by his older daughter, Murri founded a girl-focused charity, GECKO (Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors) to reconnect kids with the wild and considers this event to be a natural extension.
Pre-registration will open on Sunday, May 10th at 8:00am Mountain Time, with general registration for officially opening Monday, June 1st. In true Team Evergreen fashion, the proceeds from the event will go to local non-profits within the host community. For more information visit www.desertgravel.com.
