The 2025 North South Bikepacking Race sets off at 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, from Fort Collins’ Lee Martinez Park. Riders will face 609 miles of self-supported gravel and mountain terrain, climbing more than 52,000 vertical feet on their way to the finish in Trinidad, Colorado.

Now in its fifth year, the race continues to attract a mix of veterans and new faces. This year, 27 riders are registered to start. Among them are three with Fort Collins ties—two locals and one expat. Returning to the event are Jon Ruble, Kevin Clark, and Devon Pia, each back for another go at the demanding course.

2024 champion Zack Allison will not be defending his title this year.

Here’s a look at how the number of starters has evolved since the race began:

  • 2021: 20 starters

  • 2022: 39 starters

  • 2023: 55 starters

  • 2024: 26 starters

  • 2025: 27 starters

Live tracking is available through Trackleaders (map and link below), so you can follow the riders throughout the holiday weekend as they make their way south.

Highpoints-

  • What: 609-mile self-supported gravel race
  • When: July 4th, 2025. 6:00 AM
  • Where: Lee Martinez Park. 600 North Sherwood Street, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States
  • More information- Website
Photo by Zack Allison

NoCo Racers

  • Jon Ruble

    FROM: Fort Collins, CO USA
    FORMAT: Grand Depart Men
    AGE: 52
    BIKE: SalsaCutthroat
    SPONSOR: Neurotypicalwife

  • Kevin Clark

    FROM: Fort Collins, CO USA
    FORMAT: Grand Depart Men
    AGE: 37
    BIKE: Esker Lorax Ti

  • Devon Pia

    FROM: Boulder, CO USA (formerly of Fort Collins)
    FORMAT: Grand Depart Men
    AGE: 32
    BIKE: Trek Checkpoint SL

Trackleaders

Route Details


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Howling Cow Cafe opened on July 1st, 2014, adjacent to Morning Fresh Dairy Farm hq, almost exactly a year after the Bellvue Bean closed down. That was a tough year for cyclists who were used to a mid-ride coffee break while doing the Dairy Loop. Lori and Robert Graves, the owners of Morning Fresh, managed to fill the void left by the Bean and then some. Howling Cow offers a comfortable patio with views of the foothills, great coffee, Ummbers IceCream, Noosa Yoghurt, baked goods, and other…

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