A fully permitted gravel event starting in Palo Alto, CA and riding through the open space preserves above Silicon Valley? It can be done! Team Roaring Mouse has put together a fun, challenging, mixed-terrain ride that serves up spectacular scenery and doesn’t require an entire weekend or a three-digit entry fee. Read more below.
The 2025 Infestation Gravel traverses through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge and Saratoga Gap preserves of Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space. © Cyclocross Magazine
Infestation Gravel Coming to Bay Area on September 21
Gravel excitement is coming to the hills outside of Palo Alto, California on September 21st. Team Roaring Mouse, working with Bicycle Law and other sponsors, including Zealios and Infinit Nutrition, has created a new dirt-and-road event for NorCal. Infestation Gravel is an untimed fondo-style event traversing the peninsula’s finest gravel. The mass start will be limited to 150 riders, and the course is sure to be a popular one with both new and experienced gravel fans.
Views for miles…to the ocean! The 2025 Infestation Gravel traverses through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge and Saratoga Gap preserves of Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Infestation’s miles of beautiful but intense wooded trails offer some of the most glamorous and challenging gravel riding on the California calendar. Clocking in at 54 miles with 5,800 feet of climbing, the Infestation is sure to please. Designed by fiendish course wizard Jeff Parker, the route starts in the seductive beauty of the smooth tree-lined roads around the Stanford University campus, then turns uphill.
The 2025 Infestation Gravel traverses through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge and Saratoga Gap preserves of Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space. © Cyclocross Magazine
Once the route leaves the pavement, the challenges begin, and don’t let up until after a ripping 9-mile descent, when riders will get a flat cruise to finish. (Please note that some of the trails are reasonably technical, so the event is recommended for intermediate+ level riders only.)
The 2025 Infestation Gravel serves up 54 miles and 5850 feet of elevation change through some of Silicon Valley’s best open space preserves.
Parker emphasizes that the hilly off-road terrain is well-suited to mountain bikes and mountain bike tires, and the event will probably see many of those, as well as gravel bikes using mountain bike tires. Riders will be greeted with three aid stations up in the gnarly parts of the course, each with its own Infestation theme. Waiting for you at the finish? Your inaugural Infestation Gravel t-shirt and refreshments.
Bring your buddies, regroup at aid stations, and enjoy the post-race festivities. The 2025 Infestation Gravel traverses through Monte Bello, Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge and Saratoga Gap preserves of Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space. © Cyclocross Magazine
This event is in partnership with Live In Peace, a Bay Area non-profit whose mission is to empower East Palo Alto’s youth and young adults to reclaim the vision for their future. $5 for every entry will go to support Live in Peace and its youth programs that train the next generation of bike mechanics and get more kids on bikes and to the bike races!
Additionally, LIP will be hosting a charity bike drive at the event. Bring your bikes and components that are collecting dust but still have life left and get a tax receipt!
The 2025 Infestation Gravel by Team Roaring Mouse descends the fun and flowy John Nicholas Trail, with plenty of views to enjoy. Hannon Ayer unknowingly previewed the course in July. © Cyclocross Magazine
While not a race, the Roaring Mouse crew is infamous for making memorable events, and with this one, the memories will come from those excellent miles of forest trail.
There is a cap on rider count, so register today!
More info: teamroaringmouse.com/infestation
Local NICA team Black Mountain Composite enjoys the views at the vista near the top of the John Nicholas Trail. The 2025 Infestation Gravel by Team Roaring Mouse descends the fun and flowy John Nicholas Trail, with plenty of views to enjoy. © Cyclocross Magazine
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