Dead Swede
The Dead Swede is dedicated to having fun on bikes! Sheridan County, Wyoming is home to some of the most beautiful places to ride. There are three course lengths; the 100 mile Crusher, the 40 mile Cruiser, and the Little Ripper’s 20 Mile. Come race/ride/tour on the premier gravel, single track, and pavement of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains.
100-MILE CRUSHER
This course has it all! You’ll start in the heart of downtown Sheridan at Black Tooth Brewing Company. The first mile will be a controlled start as you travel west out of town through some of Sheridan’s historic neighborhoods. Upon hitting WYO 331, the escort will pull off and the race is on!
The next 6 miles will be paved and riders are expected to follow the rules of the road, riding safely to the right hand side. At mile 7 the course heads south on the first gravel section. You’ll be traveling through some beautiful rolling ranch land to wake those legs up before you begin the monster climb up Red Grade Road.
The first aid station will be at mile 11.5 (approximately). This may be a good time to get some extra food before you start the climb. With a few punchy climbs, your legs should be ready to go. You’ll get a decent descending section as you head eastbound towards the small town of Bighorn, where you’ll catch some more pavement on WYO 335. As the road bends south and then begins to take you back to the west, try not to get distracted by the beauty of the mountains you are about to climb! Yes, that steep gravel road up the face is where you’re about to go!
At aid station number 2 (mile 23), you’ll catch your first bit of Singletrack, riding up some of the newly built trails in the Red Grade Trails System. There may be a couple of steep berms, but you’ll get a fun section of descending before the monster of Red Grade Road truly begins.
From here, you’ll continue to climb your way into the heart of the Bighorn mountains. The views of Cloud Peak wilderness are absolutely stunning. As you’re on top you’ll hit aid station 3 and then you’ll get a chance to explore some fun Forest Service roads with at least one stream crossing before looping back around to decent Red grade Road. At the bottom, you’ll hang a hard right to catch some more flow Singletrack before you hit the next aid station, followed by a fast paved decent back to Bighorn.
You’ll hang a left back on to Beaver Creek road towards aid station #5 (same as #1), where you’ll then catch some new gravel and two track towards the town of Beckton. You’ll join with the 40 mile course for another fun section of rolling ranch land, making your way to Dayton.
From Dayton you’re on the homestretch! 20 more miles of rolling hills, two track and the wonderful Beer and Bacon Station at the 90 mile mark! After refueling, you’ll get a nice long decent back into the Sheridan Valley.
As you enter town, you’ll catch pavement. Cruise downhill to the first traffic light and hang a right onto Highland Ave. In about 1/4 mile, you’ll turn left at the Four-Way stop onto Lewis St. Cruise down the hill past the Jr. High School. Flaggers will waive you straight through as you make your way to Broadway St. for the final right hand turn and the straight shot to the finish line, at Black Tooth Brewing Company!
100 MILE GPX (W/O SINGLETRACK)
40-MILE CRUISER
The 40-mile course starts identically to the 100-mile course. There will be a controlled start beginning at Black Tooth Brewing Company where you’ll follow an escort for the first mile through Sheridan’s Downtown and historic neighborhoods. The escort will pull off after the first mile and then the race is on!
The course follows WYO 331 on pavement until you reach the small town of Beckton and the first aid station at mile 10 (approximate). From here you’ll catch your first section of gravel.
Try not to hide your excitement with the first major climb of the course up the famed PK Lane Hill. As you peak out on this climb, you’ll ride through Sheridan County’s gorgeous rolling ranch lands at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, making your way towards Dayton.
When you roll into Dayton, you’ll take a left turn at the Stop sign followed by a Right turn onto US HWY 14. The second aid station will be on the right hand side at The Dayton Town Pool. Restrooms will be open.
Make another right hand turn at Corner Grocery (4th St.) and start heading east where you’ll catch the second gravel section, rolling by the famous “Give Me Liberty” Barn.
After a quick decent, you’ll make a right hand turn onto Wolf Creek Rd, followed quickly by a left hand turn onto Keystone Rd (dry weather road), where you’ll get some fun two track roads through some open cow country. Be prepared for a few more climbs on this section, but don’t worry, the Beer and Bacon Station is at the top of one of them!
From here, you’ve got 10 more miles into town. Cruise down some fast gravel back into the Sheridan Valley. Just as the 100 milers did, you’ll catch pavement. Cruise downhill to the first traffic light and hang a right onto Highland Ave. In about 1/4 mile, you’ll turn left at the Four-Way stop onto Lewis St. Cruise down the hill past the Jr. High School. Flaggers will waive you straight through as you make your way to Broadway St. for the final right hand turn and the straight shot to the finish line, at Black Tooth Brewing Company!
LITTLE RIPPERS’ 18 MILE
This course is designed to introduce young riders and beginners to gravel grinding.
There will be a shuttle the departs Black Tooth Brewing Company immediately following the start of the 40 mile race. Riders and their bikes will be shuttled to the Scott Bicentennial Park in Dayton.
Racers will head out from the park towards 4th St where they will then turn left and join the last half of the 40 Mile course. Racers from the 40 mile and 100 mile should start coming through around the same time, so there should be plenty of encouragement out on course.
“Race” is a relatively loose term, as we want to encourage riders of all ages and abilities to be able to come enjoy our backyard! However, for the safety of riders, there will be cut-off times for designated aid stations.
After the ride, be sure to stick around at the brewery for a fun awards ceremony, food, drinks, and street dance!
For more information and to register, visit thedeadswede.com.