An Epic Gravel Journey
The Co2uT gravel event is coming up April 23, 2022. This ride offers a unique desert landscape unlike any other gravel experience out there. With five different course lengths, clearly marked routes, and high-quality aid stations along the way, it’s an event that both new and experienced gravel riders will love. We spoke with Morgan Murri, promoter of Co2uT and Rexy gravel events, about Co2uT and why you should consider adding it to your calendar.
SALSA – What is the Co2uT event?
MORGAN – Co2uT is an acronym we created for "Colorado to Utah." It’s a gravel event that begins in the great little cycling town of Fruita, CO, and takes riders on an epic gravel journey across the western Colorado desert into Utah and back.
SALSA – Can you give a brief description of each course length?
MORGAN – Our region is synonymous with dinosaurs. You see them everywhere here, so we played on that idea with our courses, identifying each course with a regional dino that suits the personality of the course:
- Our shortest distance of 30 miles is a cute, fun course for someone ready to put a toe into the gravel scene and check it out. It’s aptly named Fruitadens, after a small omnivore.
- Next up is our 50-mile Pterodactyl route, giving riders a little more room to fly, with a bit more climbing and descending.
- Our 75-mile Stegosaurus route features a short, very steep climb that adds a slight sting in the tail!
- Our century route, the 100-mile Triceratops, is stout and burly with more than 5,500' of climbing.
- Our 125-mile brute is the infamous Utah-Raptor (yes, there was one) with big miles, big climbs, and our notorious "raptor-traps" sandpits to spice it up.
SALSA – Fruita is well-known to many mountain bikers, but what does it offer gravel riders?
MORGAN – Fruita is a riders’ town. Fantastic pizza, killer coffee, several excellent breweries, and friendly locals. What we get so stoked about is that I believe our gravel terrain quality and quantity rivals that of our MTB offerings. Simply put: our gravel is incredible.
SALSA – What sets Co2uT apart from the other gravel events out there?
MORGAN – What sets us apart from anything else in the gravel space is three-fold:
- Riders experience a unique environment - The mix of terrain is just extraordinary — you ride through the desert into the incredible Book Cliffs, canyons, arroyos, and desert plateaus.
- The scenery - Every person that comes out here and rides our terrain comes back with one word in common: "Wow!" You look out at this vast, empty wasteland when you drive along I-70. But, when you get out in it — deep in it — on a bike, it truly takes your breath away.
- Our vibe - We're this authentic mix of desert-rat cyclists that embrace the front end of the group that loves to throw down and get after it as much as the tail of the group that is smart enough to take it in, pause for the views, dig out the camera and appreciate what is out there. We genuinely mean it when we say, "You Belong Here."
SALSA – Participating in an event can be intimidating for many cyclists. What can you tell them about Co2uT to ease their worries or concerns?
MORGAN – We are about the rider. We haven't just linked together roads to equal 30 miles, 100 miles, etc. We work relentlessly to put our events together with purpose. What someone wants in a 30-mile experience is different from what someone wants in a 125-mile experience. The flow of the miles, the amount of hard riding versus the amount of cruising, matters.
SALSA – What makes Co2uT great for riders who are new to gravel events?
MORGAN – Course markings and aid stations. We'd love to reduce the costs and efforts by having an event where you are "on your own," but our rider feedback told us that wasn't what they wanted, so we have several great, fully stocked aid stations and hundreds of markers guiding the way for everyone.
Our distance choices also make this great for newer riders. We give you fantastic terrain regardless of the distance you choose. We have outstanding awards for fast age groupers, and we have authentic hugs and cold beer for someone finishing well after dark. Last but not least, I'll go back to our vibe.
SALSA – What is your favorite part of the Co2uT event?
MORGAN – It is great to see and meet the riders. We have a lot of dialog, questions, emails, and engagement with riders, and putting faces to names is awesome. But the absolute best part is seeing each rider finish. The first-timer that was nervous and the long-course riders pushing their limits of what is possible — it is so rewarding to be there when they get it done.
SALSA – Do you have any standout memories from the first edition of Co2uT?
MORGAN – Co2uT 2021 was one of the first races anywhere to come out of the pandemic. It was literally a day-by-day "go – no go" situation. On top of all that, the weather leading up to the event was just horrible. Race day unfolded with perfect weather and ideal course conditions, and everybody just had this incredible sense of relief. That "Holy shit, we are actually at an event again!" feeling is something I'll never forget.
SALSA – What are your motivations? Putting on an event is a huge amount of work. Why do it?
MORGAN – This is an easy one. I created a coaching business (Amaze Your Self Endurance Coaching) and then Desert Gravel, both with the same purpose. As an ultra-endurance athlete, my life has been shaped and improved by the experiences I've had testing myself against ridiculous challenges in many of the world's most extreme and beautiful places. Desert Gravel is my venue for people from all walks of life and all levels of fitness to partake in that experience. The empowerment one gets by completing a challenging adventure is transformative. And the satisfaction I get when someone finishes an event and shares that empowerment is a priceless reward.
SALSA – Make your pitch! Why should a cyclist sign up for this year's Co2uT event?
MORGAN –
If you are looking for a welcoming, nonintimidating place to experience gravel,
If you've ever wondered how someplace so desolate can be beautiful,
If you want to hang with a bunch of awesome, like-minded people,
If you seek a destination that is worth making a vacation out of,
If you love the desert and want an immersive experience,
If you thrive on gravel and seek dynamic terrain,
If you're ready for a personal challenge,
If you're prepared to test yourself,
If you want to race hard,
If you want to go easy,
We have a place for you: Desert Gravel, like no other on Earth!
Interested in Co2uT? There’s still time to register! Learn more about the event and sign up today.
