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Registration
ONLINE REGISTRATION: BikeReg
Registration opens December 25th, 2023. Same day registration is not available.
Register early! Prices will increase as the event day nears.
Important Details
Park Release Form: A completed release form is required to participate in the event. Bring your signed release form to registration when picking up your bib.
Licensing: A USA Cycling race license is not required.
Rider Support: There is no neutral support. You cannot assume cellular coverage will be available. Come prepared to deal with potential equipment breakdowns.
Helmets: Required.
Weather: Rain or shine. No refunds.
Covid-19: All Queen City Wheels events follow USA Cycling, CDC, State and local rules, guidelines, and protocols to help assure a safe competitive environment.
Categories
Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each category.
Location
The Shawnee Pebble Pounder is being held in the Shawnee State Park, West Portsmouth, OH.
Shawnee State Park offers many family friendly activities and amenities. Bring some friends and family and stay the weekend. Check out the park website and plan your weekend getaway.
View location on Google Maps.
Cellular: Cellular coverage is weak to non-existent depending on your carrier. If you are unfamiliar with the area, you may want to download maps to your phone prior to leaving home.
Restrooms: Indoor restrooms can be found at the Lodge located at the Shawnee State Park label on the map above. A more primitive, but indoor, restroom can be found at Turkey Creek Lake. From the parking lot, cross the foot bridge and the restroom is on your right.
Parking: See parking locations on the map above.
Check In: Opens at 7:30 AM.
Routes
The course is on mostly gravel roads that can be dry and dusty or wet and spongy. There are sections of pavement and a section of technical double track.
Important: Download the routes below for this event into your GPS unit. Print and carry cue sheets with you. You are responsible for your own navigation. In 2023, Pebble Pounder directional signs were stolen/vandalized at important route intersections the night before the race. Some riders missed important turns on the route.
Cellular: If you plan to load the route for navigation, load the route and maps to your head end unit before leaving home. You may not be able to load data to your device via cellular at the park.
Pebble Pounder - 45 Mile Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44820052
¾ Pounder - 35 Mile Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44820078
Alterations: Event officials may alter the course as necessary due to prevailing conditions.
Testimonials from 2023 event:
“Great course. Plenty of climbing and distance for early in the season“
Comments from an UNBOUND Gravel finisher: “The location and course [Pebble Pounder] distance was awesome. This is arguably some of the best gravel to ride in the US (I have ridden lots of gravel races so have a good basis for comparison)"
“Volunteers were awesome! they were helpful, friendly and responsive”
“The course was good. A lot of gravel which makes sense for a gravel event. I found it very challenging and felt good to simply finish”
“The gravel climbs into the tarmac descents were awesome”
"Really can't think of a downside [at the Pebble Pounder]. Everything was great. Thanks so much for hosting this event!"“
Let's ride some gravel at Shawnee State Park! In 2024, we have planned two exciting gravel routes: The 45-mile Full Pebble Pounder and the 35-mile ¾ Pounder.
Ride the Full Pounder and experience 45 miles of the best gravel riding and racing available in the mid-west. You will be treated to over 4,500' of climbing as you traverse the most scenic and remote sections of Ohio's largest state park. This route option has amazing gravel, outstanding climbs, at least one incredible descent, and three bridal paths (one grass-covered). Additionally, a section of technical double track will test your bike handling skills.
Are you interested in all the fun but with fewer miles? We have got you covered with the 35-mile ¾ Pounder. Enjoy the same great Pebble Pounder experience while bypassing a significant climb and the most technical sections of the Full Pounder. If you elect this route, you’ll still need to bring your climbing legs. You will climb over 100 feet per mile and ride on an amazing grass-covered bridal path.
We've got you covered if you are a racer or an adventure rider. In 2023, the racing field was highly competitive with elite riders pushing the pace and finishing in fewer than 3 hours. 2023 also saw adventure riders completing the route in more than 5 hours. See the 2023 results here.
Whichever route you choose, you can plan on a well-marked route, a well-supplied mid-ride aide station, and a friendly, supportive volunteer staff.
What kind of bike should you ride? A gravel bike or a CX bike will get the job done as will a hard tail 29er. No road bikes here folks. Minimum tire width is 33mm; 40mm or wider is recommended.
Podium prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
Free t-shirts!
T-shirts will be provided to all riders while supplies last.