The Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series (IPGS) debuted in 2023 as the brainchild of Syringa Cyclery shop owner, Charles Mortensen. 

The series comprises three races: The 3/4 Minus Cykeltur, Chafe 150, and Monarch Grind. Riders are given points based on their finishing place for each race they participate in and an overall winner is crowned at the end of the final race, Monarch Grind. 

The ¾ Minus Cykeltur is a gravel grand fondo consisting of a 52-mile route on asphalt and gravel roads and a 75-mile route on asphalt, gravel, and some dirt singletrack trail. Riders have a chance to earn points towards the overall series by completing either the 52-mile or 75-mile route.

Both options start and finish on Oak Street between Syringa Cyclery and Matchwood Brewing Company. Following the race, riders get to celebrate their hard earned accomplishments with food, drink, live music, and an awards ceremony at Matchwood Brewing. 

This race takes place annually on the first Saturday in May.

Chafe 150 is based out of Sandpoint, ID and offers a 55-mile or 75-mile gravel route for riders to choose from. 

The 75 and 55 mile gravel routes are mostly along forest service roads of the Cabinet Mountains plus gravel and paved back roads of Selle Valley.  Riders will begin with breakfast at City Beach Park.  They will then be bussed along with their bikes to Clark Fork, Idaho.  Riders will climb up Lightning Creek Road before descending on Trestle Creek Road to ride along Lake Pend Oreille until Lower Pack River Rd where they will ride until they join the Chafe 40 mile route back to Sandpoint City Beach Park.

Chafe 150 supports riders with fully stocked break stops, professional ride support, an epic after ride party, and prizes for top fundraisers.

Monarch Grind is the culminating event of the three-part Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series (IPGS). The 70-mile route starts at 2,000 ft. of elevation in Clark Fork, ID where riders make their way through the small town, across a gorgeous royal blue river, past lush fields, and climb 5,167 ft. into the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. 

There is a fully stocked aid station available at the top of the first major climb (~18-miles in). Riders are then met with a downhill that takes them back down to the elevation they started at. Then comes the second, and longest, climb of the day which takes you up to the highest elevation reached during the race followed by an undulating top section with gorgeous views of Lake Pend Oreille. Quickly after this section you’ll come across the same aid station that was at the top of the first climb where you can restock with whatever is needed for the final descent and push to the finish line. “It’s a gorgeous route, challenging, 98% gravel made of roads and double track. It’s a true gravel race,” Mortonson says. 

Riders will finish the race where they started. You’ll be welcomed with snacks, BBQ, and beer waiting for you as soon as you cross the finish line. Make sure you stick around for Monarch Grind prize giving as well as the overall Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series prize giving! 

Make sure you sign up while spots last — the Monarch Grind is capped at 90 riders due to Forestry regulations. 

*Entrants do not have to compete in all three races to be eligible to win the overall IPGS series.