SBT VRTL to Take Place of SBT GRVL

SBT GRVL, a world-class gravel bike experience presented by Canyon Bicycles, has cancelled the 2020 event due to COVID-19 concerns but implemented a virtual event. Based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the federal, state, and county governments, and after discussions with local authorities in Steamboat Springs, the SBT GRVL team determined the safest scenario for the community will be to cancel the event this year. 

The SBT GRVL team remains committed to keeping the gravel community connected and providing an experience to look forward to on August 16th. Working with sponsors and pro athletes in different regions, the SBT GRVL team introduces SBT VRTL – a localized plan to connect people all over the world and ride one of the four distances of SBT GRVL together, while apart.

The SBT VRTL experience will be free and open to everyone to participate. Regional routes will be created for all four distances, easy to find and follow using Ride with GPS. There will be prize giveaways from sponsors and opportunities to continue to support advocacy partners.

SBT VRTL will continue to work with world class sponsors, including Canyon Bicycles as the presenting sponsor.

“The SBT GRVL experience remains rooted in our core values including safety, fun and credibility,” says Mark Satkiewicz, co-founder and race director of SBT GRVL. “Taking these values into account, it became clear to us that the required changes needed to keep every rider, spectator, volunteer, sponsor, vendor and members of our local community safe would result in a significantly compromised version of the SBT GRVL experience.” 

“Like so many folks in the endurance community, we were looking forward to this year’s SBT GRVL experience and all that it offers. We live for these events and the opportunity to support athletes as they challenge themselves on the beautiful gravel roads around Steamboat,” says Brian Vaughan, chief endurance officer of GU Energy Labs. “It’s disappointing to hear that the 2020 edition will be cancelled, but we totally understand that the SBT GRVL team made the responsible choice. We believe that movement is essential, and racing with our friends at events like SBT GRVL feeds our need to move. As a family owned business, we know firsthand that short term sacrifices are essential for long term gains and happiness.”

“The team at SBT GRVL showed courage today to postpone their event which in its introductory year, set a new standard in gravel events: a race, a community gathering and a party done on a world class level putting the riders safety first! As the title sponsor we fully support their decision and we are excited to work with them for years to come,” says Blair Clark, president of Canyon Bicycles. “On a personal level, it was something I was really looking forward to doing, but when it happens again in the future, it will be such a sweet appreciation. I’ll be back for what John Denver described as: ‘The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake…you can talk to God and listen to the casual reply’…to get my ‘Rocky mountain high’ at SBT GRVL!”

Participants who signed up for one of the four distances in the 2020 event have the option to defer to 2021 or receive a race refund. Participants wishing to defer to 2021 will not need to do anything at this time. Participants wishing for a refund will need to reach out via email to info@sbtgrvl.com and request a refund.

For any additional information and to stay up-to-date on SBT GRVL news, please visit sbtgrvl.com or follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

About SBT GRVL: SBT GRVL launched August 2019 as a world-class gravel bike experience committed to Beauty, Inclusivity, Family, Challenge, and Fun. The event enables gravel fans of all ability levels to experience the unmatched gravel roads winding around and through the iconic, beautiful mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Riders are invited to push their abilities on four-course distances ranging from 37 miles to 144 miles. Those seeking the ultimate challenge can saddle up to 9,400 feet of climbing on the Black 144-mile racecourse—a sought-after title for endurance gravel pros. The Blue Course is a ‘best-of-Steamboat’ experience wrapped up in 103 miles and the Red course is a condensed 64-mile “best of” route offering challenge, beauty and fun. The Green Course is a 37-mile introduction to the area’s unrivaled gravel roads. Come experience high-altitude gravel, a weekend full of events for the whole family and ranch-town hospitality at SBT GRVL.