gravel.
b-roads.
singletrack.
pavement.
no surface untouched. this is core4.
Each route is a mix of terrains.
100 Mile Solo or Team
60 Mile Solo or Team
40 Mile or 20 mile
Straight out of Wilsons Orchard you drop into the first valley. It’s champagne gravel right out of the gates.
Is this heaven, no it’s Iowa.
Find yourself immersed in the best Iowa gravel and B roads in the Midwest.
Feel your pulse rise to Oasis.
THE BEST B-ROADS
It will most likely be warm in August but pray for dry conditions. Iowa B-roads can get nasty. Like MidSouth orange mud nasty.
Head north to the Vincent B-roads. This is classic Iowa countryside. A farming heritage at its core.
Sugar Bottom singletrack…
There’s an aid station party sponsored by Big Grove to get you stoked! But don’t stay too long before entering Iowa’s best-kept singletrack secret: pine forests, majestic lake views, and limestone rocky climbs to tenderize the muscles. Just when you think 10 miles of tight singletrack is enough, the party is waiting for you back where you started. And plenty of heckling no matter your condition. Stop for a quick drink, or stay for the party. There’s only 15 miles left for all y’all 60 milers.
If you are going all out for the 100, brace for impact as you head off to Prairie du Chien Rd. You’re about to experience an iconic view traveling across the Coralville dam, and into the urban experience of Iowa City and Coralville.
Finally! Some pavement…
Be mindful of other trail patrons - this community is the core4 community. Crossing over the Iowa River for another round into Coralville… Walk the stairs. It’s recommended.
Here’s the next singletrack segment. And yet another aid station party? Should you stay or should you go?Only time will tell…
Carry on through the singletrack in the Clear Creek GreenBelt and oak savannas, boardwalks over wetlands, super-fast cross country prairie lines.
And then the best flow trail in the state of Iowa at Creekside. What?! The course goes through barns? (yes plural). Its Iowa. And its no surface untouched.
Head down south, y’all!
You are finally out of the city and back in gravel south of the metro. Things start opening up and it all seems like downhill. Some pavement reprieve is coming at Hills, and a Caseys stop for a much-earned slice of pizza and a Red Bull. And water. But none of this before some super fast gravel rollers. And is this a C road?
You’re gonna feel it.
The end of this one is going to hurt. Like Rule of Three hurt. There are some legit B-road segments after climbing north back towards Wilson’s. Like seven or so? We lost track but they all have their lines. We repeat, pray for dry conditions. Or learn how to ride in corn fields. The last section of pavement at mile 99 rewards only those who have made it this far.
That turn back to the Orchard brings a smile to your face. The CX climb finish feels so good, mostly because at this point in the day, you can’t feel anything. And all your friends and family are about to celebrate with you. Food and drinks await, but then again, nothing tastes as good as the core4 cyclocross finish feels, except maybe that Big Grove Brewery beer.
This is core4. Welcome to Iowa.