THE WATERMOO is a 111-mile gravel bike race on mostly gravel, some tarmac and a road that is no longer a road with a river crossing in the farmlands of southeastern Michigan. It will be an honest challenge for most, something riders will be proud of completing and is part of the Ultra Michigan Gravel Race Series.

SPONSORS – Jolly Pumpkin + Kitchen | Pactimo | Q + M | Michigan Bicycle Law | Wheels in Motion | Adams Sports Medicine | Ann Arbor Velo Club | Farm Sudz | FitMi! | Ann Arbor Running Co. | Commercial Mortgage Capital, Inc. | Quiring Cycles | Sic Transit Cycles | Bank of Ann Arbor | The Bouma Group | Skratch Labs

EVENT CAPPED AT 302 – On July 11th we will determine the maximum number of participants so we can start placing final orders of road signs, soap, numbers, etc.

DATE – Saturday, August 12th, 2023

START WAVES – 6:11am (14mph or slower) 7:11am (14mph or faster)

START/FINISH LOCATION – Jolly Pumpkin + Kitchen – 2319 Bishop Circle E, Dexter, MI 48130

COURSE – Is mostly gravel, some tarmac and a road that is no longer a road with a river crossing in the farmlands of southeastern Michigan. The dirt roads can be hilly at times and some of the pavement is smoking fast. THE ROUTE WILL NOT BE MARKED AND IS OPEN TO TRAFFIC. You will need to upload the route to your Garmin (GPS device) so you know where you are going. The course is open to traffic and all rules of the road must be followed at all times. About 3/4 into the ride you may refuel if needed at the Adams Sports Medicine Feed Station.

ONE FLAVOR – THE WATERMOO is one distance. 111-miles. No less, no more. THE WATERMOO has just one category and no podiums. No less, no more. You pick your weapon (gravel, road, mtb, fat bike, etc) of choice. If you’re looking for an easy ride or a race with podiums this race is probably not your cup of tea.

RULES – Because it’s a race and you gotta have some rulz.

• Rules of the road must be followed at all times
• No aero bars
• Self-supported

REGISTRATION DETAILS

• $88.00 entry fee
• 6/11 price increase to $99.00
• 7/11 price increase to $111.00
• 8/9 – REGISTRATION CLOSES (NO DAY OF REGISTRATION)

JUNIORS – Thanks to The Watermoo sponsor Commercial Mortgage Capital all juniors ride for free. Email race director Nicholas Stanko at nick (at) annarborrunningcompany.com to get your free entry.

REGISTRATION PRIZES

• Register on opening day (January 11th) to be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card to Sic Transit Cycles.
• 1st 88 registered receive a free Pactimo – The Watermoo cycling cap.
• Register before February 11th to win $100 from Bank of Ann Arbor
• Register before March 11th and be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 11 Pactimo – The Watermoo cycling gear.
• Register before April 11th and get a say in what road will be on the finisher’s signs.
• Register before May 11th and be entered into a drawing for a $50 Jolly Pumpkin + Kitchen gift card

OVERALL AWARDS – Presented by Michigan Bicycle Law. The glory of finishing and a road sign that you can hang in your bedroom.

RIDER’S GUIDE – The rider’s guide will contain all the information you need to know to successfully complete THE WATERMOO. Stay tuned! This will be sent out to Watermooers the first week of August.

MICHIGAN GRAVEL RACES SERIES – The Michigan Gravel Race Series is a points series composed of 15 uniquely different gravel centric events. Riders may choose to challenge themselves in the Short, Long or Ultra course series in several categories from open, fatbike, singlespeed and tandem. Racers registered for the series will accumulate points at events throughout the season.

REFUNDS – Before July 11th we can offer full refunds. After July 11th NO REFUNDS, but you can transfer your race entry to someone else. Learn how to do that HERE.

HOTEL – Comfort Inn Chelsea 1645 Commerce Park Dr., Chelsea, MI, 48118. Group Name – Watermoo 2023. Group Number – O10S5 Book room HERE

OVERALL RESULTS – Can be found HERE.

If you enjoyed yourself at this ride, please join us for some of our other rad rides – CONE-AZALIA, BLØM, THE PLEASANT LAKE RIDE, THE WATERMOO, and WINNEWANA.