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High-altitude MTB and gravel challenge in Big Bear
Choose MTB, gravel, or fondo distances and tackle Big Bear’s rugged terrain—serious climbs, crisp air, and a finish-line buzz all day.
Event details
The Grizzly 100 returns to Big Bear on September 5, 2026, offering three ways to take on the mountains at roughly 6,750 feet: the 100 mile mountain bike route, the 100 mile gravel fondo, and shorter 50 mile options. This date also lands on Labor Day weekend, which changes the practical plan because lodging, parking, and dinner reservations fill sooner than many first-timers expect.
The quiet performance edge is acclimation and pacing, not fitness bravado. Arriving Friday for packet pickup lets your body adjust overnight, and it gives you time to sort out simple issues that become big issues at altitude, like under-hydrating or starting the first climb too hard. Start race morning with more fluids than you think you need, and keep electrolytes steady so the midday sun does not turn the second half into a cramp management session.
Course preparation is different for each format, and that is where experienced riders gain minutes without extra effort. On the MTB side, traffic can build on narrow sections, so a calm but decisive early position helps you avoid stop and go bottlenecks later. For gravel, expect long stretches where tire choice and pressure matter more than raw speed, with washboard and dust rewarding slightly lower pressures, solid eye protection, and a drivetrain that stays clean and quiet.
Make your weekend easier by planning your finish like a recovery appointment. Have a change of clothes and warm layer ready for the moment you stop, then walk a bit to keep legs from locking up before you settle into the finish area. Afterward, a low-effort lake reset like a gentle shoreline stroll or a short paddle can do more for soreness than another hour in the car.
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