The Dead Swede Gravel Grinder has quietly become Wyoming's most beloved cycling event — a race where the scenery is as challenging as the route itself. Set in the Bighorn Mountain foothills outside Sheridan, it offers four courses for four very different types of riders. Here's how to choose yours.
What Is the Dead Swede?
The Dead Swede started as a small local gravel event and has grown into one of the premier gravel races in the Rocky Mountain West. The name comes from a local Bighorn Mountains landmark — a clearing where a Swedish prospector reportedly met his end in the 19th century. Grim name, spectacular venue.
The race takes place on the gravel and dirt roads threading through the Bighorn foothills west of Sheridan — a landscape of rolling grasslands, pine draws, rocky outcroppings, and (on the longer courses) high-elevation mountain passes with views that make the suffering worth it.
2026 dates: June 6–7. Packet pickup: Friday June 5 at Kendrick Park, Sheridan. The start and finish line is at Kendrick Park, right in downtown Sheridan.
Course Breakdown
20 Miles — The Grasslands
Mostly flat foothills terrain with sweeping grassland views. Minimal climbing. The right choice for first-timers, casual cyclists, and anyone who wants to finish with energy left for the after-party.
Elevation gain: ~800 ft · Gravel: ~70% · Road: ~30%
Best for: First-timers, families, recreational cyclists
40 Miles — The Foothills
Rolling terrain through the Bighorn foothills with some serious views and moderate climbing. You'll feel it in your legs but nothing that proper training can't handle.
Elevation gain: ~2,200 ft · Gravel: ~80% · Road: ~20%
Best for: Regular cyclists with some gravel experience
60 Miles — The Classic
A significant climb into the Bighorn Mountains with stunning panoramic views at the top. Technical descents, sustained climbs, and the satisfaction of earning every mile. This is the race's soul.
Elevation gain: ~5,500 ft · Gravel: ~85% · Dirt: ~15%
Best for: Experienced gravel cyclists, 4–6 month training base
100 Miles — The Epic
Summit the Bighorns. Suffer beautifully. The Epic is exactly what it sounds like — a brutal, gorgeous, unforgettable day in the saddle that reaches the high country above 9,000 feet. Not for the casual cyclist.
Elevation gain: ~10,500 ft · Gravel: ~80% · Dirt/Rocky: ~20%
Best for: Seasoned endurance cyclists, serious training required
The Start: Kendrick Park
All courses depart from and return to Kendrick Park — a beautiful city park on the west edge of downtown Sheridan with a picturesque bandshell, massive cottonwood trees, and ample space for race setup. This is also where packet pickup happens Friday evening.
Parking near Kendrick Park fills fast on race morning. If you're staying downtown (highly recommended — see below), you can walk or ride to the start line. No parking stress, no early-morning shuttle scramble.
The Finish: Blacktooth Brewing
Cross the finish line and walk two blocks to Blacktooth Brewing Co. on Main Street — where the official after-party lives. Blacktooth makes some of Wyoming's best craft beer, and nothing has ever tasted better than a cold pint after 60 miles of gravel.
The after-party runs all afternoon with live music, food trucks, and riders comparing suffering stories. It's one of the best post-race environments in gravel cycling — don't rush off.
Training Tips by Course
- 20-mile Grasslands: 6–8 weeks of consistent riding with 2–3 rides per week. One longer ride (15–20 miles) per week is plenty.
- 40-mile Foothills: 10–12 weeks base training. Include some climbing work. A few rides over 30 miles in the month before.
- 60-mile Classic: 4–5 months of structured training. Weekly long rides building to 50+ miles. Hill repeats are essential.
- 100-mile Epic: 6+ months of serious preparation. Multiple centuries in training, ideally at elevation. Not a first-season gravel race.
Logistics: What You Need to Know
- Registration: Opens in January at deadswede.com. The 100-mile fills first — register early.
- Gear check: Required for the 60 and 100-mile — emergency bivy, phone, water, first aid. Course marshals check at sign-in.
- Aid stations: 20-mile: 1. 40-mile: 2. 60-mile: 3. 100-mile: 5. All stocked with water, electrolytes, and real food.
- Bike setup: 40mm+ tire clearance recommended for all courses. 700c or 650b both work great on this terrain.
- Bike transport: Drive or fly into Sheridan Municipal Airport (SHR). Flying? Ship your bike ahead to a local bike shop — there are two in Sheridan.
Why Stay Downtown Sheridan
The race starts at Kendrick Park, packet pickup is downtown, and the after-party is on Main Street. Staying downtown means you're walking distance from all of it. No driving after a 60-mile race. No worrying about race-morning logistics.
Hotels on the interstate are cheaper on paper but more expensive in stress. A downtown rental — apartment, house, or historic property — puts you in the center of everything, and usually costs less than two interstate hotel rooms when split with riding friends.
Check the events calendar for surrounding weekend activities while you're in town.
Book Your Race Weekend Stay
Downtown Sheridan rentals book out 2–3 months before race weekend. Lock in your stay now — walk to packet pickup, walk to the finish, walk to the after-party.