Far Out Gravel Adventure Series
5th Annual | Boulder, Colorado
Ride #1 — July 25, 2026 | Ride #2 — August 29, 2026
Totally tubular. Absolutely gnarly. Gag me with a chamois.
The spandex is loud, the haircuts are questionable, and the vibes are immaculate. Dust off the neon, rewind the cassette, and charge up the Walkman — Far Out is back for year five and we've been cooking up something that would make even the Rad Man himself proud.
The TGIF Far Out Gravel Adventure Series is Boulder's most adventurous, most radical, most lovingly unhinged gravel event of the summer — two rides deep in the mountains of Colorado with big climbing, bigger views, and the kind of vibes that don't come with a timing chip. This isn't a race. There's no podium, no entry fee, and no dress code beyond the fact that it's 80's themed and we fully expect you to commit. Think neon, leg warmers, mesh jerseys, fanny packs, and whatever else is buried in the back of your closet from the last themed party you didn't try hard enough at. This time, try harder.
This one is for you
Whether you just got your first gravel bike or you've been racing ultras for a decade, Far Out was built with you in mind. We mean that sincerely. This ride isn't about who finishes first or who has the lightest setup. It's about getting out into the mountains of Colorado and doing something that scares you just enough to make it worth it.
Some of the best moments we've witnessed on these routes happen quietly — at the top of a climb someone didn't think they could finish, at a checkpoint where a first-timer realizes they're halfway through something they never imagined doing. We build this ride every year because we believe those moments should be available to everyone, regardless of how long they've been clipping in. If you've been waiting for a sign to do something big on your bike, this is it. You are more ready than you think.
What you're getting into
Let's be real with you, because we respect you too much not to be. These routes go deep into the mountains on roads with numbers instead of names, old mining trails that haven't changed much since the 1800's, and singletrack that rewards confidence and big tires. There will be loose gravel, steep pitches, fast descents, and sections where the only sound is your breathing and the wind. It is stunning and it is hard and it is exactly what you signed up for.
Bring the biggest tires you can fit on your bike. Seriously — this is not the day for the 38's you've been telling yourself are fine. We recommend 45-55mm tires and the biggest gearing ratio your bike can take. The terrain is technical in places and your setup matters. Come prepared and you will have the time of your life. Come underprepared and, well, the mountains will let you know.
The good news? You won't be out there alone. An aid station stocked and ready for you, and a community of riders who are all in the same beautiful mess together. Far Out attracts the kind of people who show up for each other out on course — and that makes all the difference. If this sounds a little scary, it should, and you should come push your limits with the rest of us, because we will be in it together. We get it done as a family, one mile at a time.
Choose your own adventure
We've got two routes so you can pick your poison:
The Far Out Route — ~50 miles / ~7,000ft of climbing Hard enough to earn your apres, short enough to make the after party on two working legs. Technical in places, rewarding throughout, and absolutely brag-worthy at the finish. This one will test you, but it won't break you. Maybe.
The Gnarly Route — ~100 miles / ~10,000ft+ of climbing For the ultra fans, the adventure heads, and those who look at a perfectly good Saturday and think — I could make this harder. Old mining trails, unnamed roads, relentless climbing, and descents that make it all worth it. This is the kind of ride that resets your perspective, tests your limits, and makes every other ride feel easy for the rest of the summer. If you finish this one, you've earned everything that comes after.
Both routes start together from the Giordana Pop-Up on Pearl St with a special roll out for the femmes by Ride or Die Collective. From the first climb, ride your own ride at your own pace. No judgement, no pressure, just open road and open trails ahead of you.
Checkpoints
Each route has checkpoints marked with pink ribbon along the way. When you reach one, pull a page from the book. Don't lose your pages — they're your proof of adventure. Turn them all in, full of blood, sweat and tears, at the finish and collect your custom TGIF top cap. Every rider who completes the route gets one. No exceptions. You did the work, you get the cap.
Every finisher also receives a raffle ticket. The raffle kicks off at 6pm with prizes from Canyon, MiiR, Better Bolts, Vittoria, Knog, and Tailwind. Stick around — you're going to want to be there.
Aid stations + self support
Each route has its own dedicated aid station stocked by Canyon Bicycles, fueled by Tailwind Nutrition and stoke brought to you by Ride for Hope. If you see the Rivian truck, you know help is on the way too — because bonking is so 1987 and we're not about to let that happen on our watch. But make no mistake, this is a self supported ride. Bring your flat kit, your tools, your food, your water, and everything you need to handle whatever the mountains decide to throw at you. Cell service is limited out there. And yes, pack a jacket — Colorado storms roll through fast and they don't care about your finish time or your hairdo. A 15 minute storm is not a reason to cut the day short. You've put too much into this for that.
Canyon + our allies
This year Canyon Bicycles is our presenting sponsor — providing neutral support before the ride and backing the aid station out on course. Giordana is hosting the morning roll out from their Pearl St pop-up and showing up for the community all day long. We are grateful to both for believing in what we're building and showing up to make it real.
Our allies for 2026: Canyon Bicycles · Giordana · Vittoria · Knog · Better Bolts · Tailwind Nutrition · MiiR · Ride for Hope
Free to ride. Powered by people who give a damn.
Here's how this works. Canyon, Giordana, Vittoria, Knog, Better Bolts, Tailwind, and MiiR believe in what TGIF is doing — and because of that belief, this ride costs you nothing. Gratis. Our team spends months planning, countless weekends on the trails, and more hours than we can count to count building this event from the ground up because we think the barrier to entry in cycling is already too high. A great day on the bike shouldn't come with a registration fee. So it doesn't.
This year we're channeling that spirit into something bigger. We're raising money for mental health awareness in partnership with Ride for Hope, who will connect people in Colorado with mental health services they couldn't otherwise afford. If you had a great day out there — and you will — consider paying it forward. Every dollar donated goes directly to someone who needs it.
Riders who donate $30 receive a limited edition TGIF x MiiR Far Out water bottle — designed exclusively for this event by Rosie on the Riverbed. These are limited, they are beautiful, and they will go fast.
Donations are never required to ride. They are always welcomed, always appreciated, and always put to good use.
After the ride
We're finishing at Upslope Brewing for cold beers, food, and the kind of post-ride hang that reminds you why you do this. Bring a change of clothes, your pages from the checkpoints, and whatever's left of your legs. The raffle kicks off at 6pm — prizes from our partners up for grabs and 80's hits on the speakers all night. Bring your friends, bring your partner, bring anyone who needs convincing that gravel riding is the greatest thing going. This is the part of the day that makes the suffering make sense.
Day of schedule
Check-in + coffee: 8:00 – 8:50am
Safety talk: 8:50 – 9:00am
Finish:Upslope Brewing
Raffle: 6:00pm
Roll out: Groups depart 5 minutes apart in compliance with Boulder OSMP regulations
Ride cap: 144 riders
The details
Date: Ride #1 — July 25, 2026 | Ride #2 — August 29, 2026
Locations:
Roll: Giordana Pop-Up, Pearl St, Boulder, CO
Afterparty & Raffle: Upslope Brewing
Routes: ~50mi / ~7,000ft | ~100mi / ~10,000ft+
Aid stations: One per route, stocked by Canyon, supported by Rivian, fueled by Tailwind Nutrition
Tire recommendation: Bigger the better — 45-55mm
What to bring: Flat kit, tools, food, water, layers, jacket, electrolytes, 80's costume, party legs
Theme: 80's — neon, leg warmers, mullets, mesh, fanny packs, all of it
Routes subject to change. Use your real email when you RSVP so we can keep you updated
Questions? stoke@thankgravelitsfriday.com