(Courtesy/All Sports Productions)The annual Chinkapin Hollow Gravel Grinder bike race will move to a new weekend in 2023, organizers announced this week.
This year’s event is set for Saturday, Oct. 28. It has previously been held on the third Sunday in October, which is typically the day after the Big Sugar gravel race.
“We are excited that the 2023 Chinkapin Hollow Gravel Grinder is moving to a new date and on a Saturday to better accommodate participant travel needs,” said Bruce Dunn, race director and CEO of All Sports Productions. “Past participant feedback has consistently raved about the quality of our gravel roads, but we’ve also heard from many that they prefer a Saturday event.”
The event, which debuted in 2020, begins at the Lake Wedington recreation area just west of Fayetteville, and features Forest Service roads that are not normally open to cyclists. Each of the race’s three routes travel west into eastern Oklahoma on gravel roads before returning to Lake Wedington.
Distance options include:
- 109 miles – 77% unpaved roads and 5,490 feet of elevation (see course)
- 63 miles – 65% unpaved roads and 2,840 feet of elevation (see course)
- 42 miles – 56% unpaved roads and 2,050 feet of elevation (see course)
Registration is available at www.chinkapinhollow.com. Early bird entry fees are $55 for the 42-mile race, $65 for the 63-mile race and $75 for the 109-mile race.
Registration includes on-course support, a post-event party with food and beverages, finisher swag and podium awards. Equalized prize purses are also planned.
