Dead Swede 2026: Which Course Is Right for You?
The Dead Swede Gravel Grinder has quietly become Wyoming's most beloved cycling event. Four courses, four very different types of riders. Here's how to choose yours.
Dalton Goodyear · Feb 15, 2026 · 6 min read
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.
60 miles of gravel, one cold pint, and the Bighorns at dusk. That's the Dead Swede.
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 gravel and dirt roads threading through the Bighorn foothills — 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. Start and finish at Kendrick Park.
Course Breakdown
| Course | Distance | Elevation Gain | Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Grasslands | 20 mi | ~800 ft | Beginner | First-timers, families |
| The Foothills | 40 mi | ~2,200 ft | Intermediate | Regular cyclists |
| The Classic | 60 mi | ~5,500 ft | Challenging | Experienced gravel riders |
| The Epic | 100 mi | ~10,500 ft | Expert | Seasoned endurance cyclists |
All courses start and finish at Kendrick Park in downtown Sheridan.
The Grasslands (20 mi) — Mostly flat foothills terrain with sweeping grassland views. Minimal climbing. The right choice for first-timers and anyone who wants to finish with energy left for the after-party.
The Foothills (40 mi) — Rolling terrain through the Bighorn foothills with moderate climbing. You'll feel it in your legs but nothing that proper training can't handle.
The Classic (60 mi) — A significant climb into the Bighorn Mountains with stunning panoramic views. Technical descents, sustained climbs, and the satisfaction of earning every mile. This is the race's soul.
The Epic (100 mi) — Summit the Bighorns. Suffer beautifully. The Epic reaches the high country above 9,000 feet. Not for the casual cyclist.
Gear Check Required
The 60 and 100-mile courses require a gear check at sign-in: emergency bivy, phone, water, first aid kit. Course marshals verify at packet pickup. 40mm+ tire clearance recommended for all courses — 700c or 650b both work great.
The Start: Kendrick Park
All courses depart from and return to Kendrick Park — a beautiful city park on the west edge of downtown Sheridan. Parking near Kendrick Park fills fast on race morning. If you're staying downtown, 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. 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. One longer ride (15–20 miles) per week is plenty.
- 40-mile Foothills: 10–12 weeks base training. Include climbing work. A few rides over 30 miles.
- 60-mile Classic: 4–5 months of structured training. Weekly long rides building to 50+ miles. Hill repeats essential.
- 100-mile Epic: 6+ months of serious preparation. Multiple centuries in training, ideally at elevation.
Logistics: What You Need to Know
- Registration: Opens in January at deadswede.com. The 100-mile fills first.
- Aid stations: 20-mile: 1. 40-mile: 2. 60-mile: 3. 100-mile: 5.
- Bike transport: Drive or fly into Sheridan Municipal Airport (SHR). Ship your bike ahead to a local shop.
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 walking distance from all of it. No driving after a 60-mile race. A downtown rental puts you in the center of everything, and usually costs less than two interstate hotel rooms when split with riding friends.
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, the finish, and the after-party.
Downtown Sheridan Apartment
Sheridan, Wyoming · ★ 4.9
Sheridan Loft — Walk to Everything
Sheridan, Wyoming · ★ 5
Sheridan Home Near Main St.
Sheridan, Wyoming · ★ 4.8
Frequently Asked Questions
The Dead Swede Gravel Grinder 2026 takes place June 6–7 in Sheridan, Wyoming. Packet pickup is Friday June 5 at Kendrick Park in downtown Sheridan. All four courses start and finish at Kendrick Park.
Registration opens in January at deadswede.com. The 100-mile Epic course fills first — register early. All courses include aid station access, route markings, and the post-race celebration at Blacktooth Brewing.
A gravel bike with 40mm+ tire clearance is recommended for all courses. Both 700c and 650b wheel sizes work well on this terrain. The 60 and 100-mile courses include rocky sections where wider tires provide a significant advantage.
Downtown Sheridan is the ideal base. The race starts at Kendrick Park (downtown), packet pickup is downtown, and the after-party is at Blacktooth Brewing on Main Street. Staying downtown means walking distance to everything — no driving after a 60-mile race. Wyo Stays manages 65+ properties in Sheridan, many within blocks of the start line. Book direct at wyostays.com.