IRONBULL’s Red Granite Grinder to Launch from New Location
The hills on the Red Granite Grinder offer a reason to celebrate along the route.
Athens – The Red Granite Grinder (RGG), IRONBULL’s signature bicycle race, will start and end in a new venue this year. The race, which features 50 mile, 100 mile and 150 mile options for riders, has attracted gravel enthusiasts from all over Wisconsin and beyond since 2019, drawn by the twin challenges of the difficult terrain and daunting distances. IRONBULL’s motto is Find Your Tough, and that’s what RGG demands of participants.
This year, the challenge steps up a notch with the announcement of entirely new routes. The race operation will relocate to Athens, Wisconsin, about 25 miles northwest of Wausau. According to John Lauer, IRONBULL’s executive director, feedback from participants motivated the change. “Racers asked for more distance on gravel, less on busy paved roads and fewer interactions with cars,” he said. “We also wanted to eliminate hazardous highway crossings. All those factors were considered in the difficult decision to transfer the race headquarters from Wausau to Athens.”
Red Granite Grinder riders pass a variety of scenic Wisconsin landscapes including farms on country roads with all routes having more than 80% gravel. Photo credit: Dave Schlabowske
Longtime race director Shane Hitz spent many months designing and laying out the new courses. Each race starts in Athens’ Erbach Park and quickly heads out into the country on a combination of gravel dairy and township roads, along with stretches of double and single track trails. Less than 20% of any race is on pavement; the remainder is on gravel roads and trails. At the top end, 92% of the 100 mile course runs on gravel. “We think riders will love the new routes and new challenges,” said Hitz. “And because the 100 and 150 go through some remote areas, those riders will be issued GPS trackers.”
The Kocourek Kids Ride will also move to Athens, routing entirely on a closed course through Erbach Park on well-maintained gravel and dirt paths with no big hills and no road crossings. An optional short course will be available for small kids, and parents/guardians are welcome to accompany their little riders. As always, kids’ events are free.
Kocourek Kids Foundation sponsors a free kids ride, taking place this year on a closed course without any road crossings.
Events kick off Friday night, October 10, at Miltrim Farms, just west of Athens on County M. Along with pre-race registration, entrants may join in a group ride at 2:00 p.m. led by Race Director Hitz. At 3:30 p.m., Laura Hrubes, a past RGG finisher, will conduct a women’s riding skills workshop. Food, beverages and live entertainment will be on site. Also, Miltrim Farm is offering up to 120 sites for anyone who might want to camp on the grounds. Visit IRONBULL’s website for information about reservations and costs.
On Saturday morning, the 100 and 150 miles races start at 7:00 a.m. after a 6:45 pre-race briefing. The 50 mile race commences at 10:00 a.m. following the pre-race briefing. The Kocourek Kids’ Ride starts at 3:00 p.m. Award ceremonies for the 50 and 100 mile races will take place at 4:00 p.m., while the awards for the 150 will take place at 7:30 p.m.
For more detailed information regarding race routes, registration and volunteer opportunities, visit the IRONBULL.org website, click on Events and then on Red Granite Grinder.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025 with a free group ride, beer release, live music, and women’s skills clinic the day before
- Location: Athens, WI
- More info: https://www.ironbull.org/red-granite-grinder-details
- Registration: https://ironbull-signup.redpodium.com/2025-red-granite-grinder
Banner photo: Peak fall colors are expected for the 2025 Red Granite Grinder.
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