the FBG Story
Funk Bottoms Gravel started in 2011 in the tiny unincorporated town of Funk Bottoms, Ohio. Three blokes from Northeast Ohio, started the race as a training challenge for Gravel Worlds put on by our PCL brethren in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our main matey CK (Mr. Big Ring), decided to lay the hurt down by scouting some of the nastiest, steepest, dirt and gravel roads in Ohio. Over the years, the race location has taken us from Funk to Lakeville, Big Prairie, and now its current home of Glenmont. Each new location addressed the need for an ever-increasing field of riders and the desire to be closer to more rural dirt & gravel roads, and elevation. In honor of the race's beginning departure point, the name was kept. Besides, Funk Bottoms Gravel just sounds cool!
Each year, there are slight modifications to the course. You will never ride the same route each year. In 2013 the race grew to its current format of 100K+ and 200K+ courses. Also in 2013, America's oldest brewery, Yuengling, started donating cases of beer which are awarded to each of the winners. That same year, our good friends at Hammer Nutrition started sponsoring the event. See our sponsor page for all those that support the FBG family. In 2014, we had our first riders from surrounding states participate. In 2022 we had our first international entry.
Since 2018 a percentage of racer entry fees have been donated to the Holmes County Trail Fund. We will continue donations to needed trail funds each year in order to make safe and accessible cycling routes in Ohio available to everyone. THANK YOU ALL for donating to this cause.
Over the years the team that helps put on this event has grown. From DW, PH, KK, DE, Mr. Adam, TA, and AG, we couldn't do it without their hard work and input. We are grateful for their support.
Each year’s race will offer some new twists and turns. All we ask is that you have fun and follow some basic rules (Click here). Funk Bottoms Gravel is a grassroots race with some cool awards, great scenery, awesome riders, and friendly waves from the folks in central Ohio.
Mr. Big Ring
Coach
