The Hammer Road Rally begins and ends at Shaver Lake. It features some of the most incredible roads and scenery you can find on two wheels, and takes place near the end of California's road cycling season before winter grips our highest elevations. The fall colors are incredible this time of year, and crisp air at elevation fills your lungs.
This is a timed, competitive event with prizes awarded to competitors in various age and gender categories. However, only the "Hammer" route is timed.
Everything is happening at the Chickaree Amphitheater at Camp Edison.
7:00 am Packet Pickup opens
7:00 - 10:00 am Complimentary breakfast (mini burritos, parfaits, OJ and coffee) available
9:00 - 10:00 am Starts (see details for each route below)
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Lunch + Beer available
SUNDAY
Free, non timed but supported ride with Tyler Pearce (the Vegan Cyclist) to McKinley Grove. Register on the registration form. More details coming soon!
Hammer and Hard -- Both routes start together at 9:00 am.
Easyish -- 10:00 am.
Your entry includes a fully supported and timed race (Hammer route), aid stations, neutral mechanical support, roaming support mechanics, a post-ride meal and a post-ride beer or non alcoholic beverage!
The "Hammer" route will be timed from Big Creek to the top of Kaiser Pass. After Kaiser Pass, you will be able to ride with your friends and appreciate the incredible views. (to be confirmed for 2022)
Participants will be scored, recognized and awarded according to various age/gender categories. Podiums will go 3 deep in each age/gender/route bracket. These brackets are subject to final assessment based on the total registration so that field sizes are not too large.
ALL OTHER ROUTES ARE NOT TIMED.
The Hammer route will have 6 aid stations, the Hard route will have 3 and the Easyish route will have 1 (passed both times); they will all have at least water, some sort of hydration mix and basic nutrition like energy bars.
Aid Station #1: Hammer & Hard Mile 11.6 -- 10:30am time cut (you'll have to take the "Hard" route)
Aid Station #2: Hammer Mile 26.5
Aid Station #3: Hammer Mile 38.5
Aid Station #4: Hammer Mile 45 -- marks the end of the timed segment (from Big Creek)
Aid Station #5: Hammer Mile 61.5 -- 3 pm cutoff / Hard Mile 29.5
Aid Station #6: Hammer Mile 74.5 / Hard Mile 42 / Easyish Mile 10.9 & 16.5
There are two time cuts for 2023
At 10:30 am at the first aid station at mile 11.6, if you have not reached this point you will be advised to proceed on the "HARD" route rather than the "HAMMER". If you have not reached this point early in the course by this time, it is unlikely that you'll reach Kaiser Summit before 3:00pm when support is removed from that location. Because of the difficulty of this ride, we really want to make sure everyone completing the climb to Kaiser summit is able to get there with support. If you proceed on the hammer route after this time, we will not be there to support you as the final SAG support team will be ahead of you.
At 3:00 pm at the "Tamarack" aid station (AS#5). This is not so much of an issue for the Hard route, but for the Hammer, it happens at mile 61.5. For anyone trying to make this time cut, just make sure to give yourself about an hour if you're riding at a medium pace to get there from the summit of Kaiser Pass.
TIMED
TIMED
THE REAL DEAL
The Hammer features an absolutely massive 15 mile long gravel climb from Stump Springs Road to Kaiser Pass at 9,196' above sea level.
Features nearly 30 miles of legit gravel.
Timing ENDS at the top of Kaiser Pass. The rest of your ride after Kaiser Pass is for the pure enjoyment of it with your friends.
Not Timed.
NOT TIMED
STRENUOUS 53 MILE RIDE
With nearly 6,000' of elevation gain, Riders will take on a major 2,000' paved climb as they make their way from the town of Big Creek to Huntington Lake.
Features several miles of mixed, chunky road and gravel descending.
Not Timed.
NOT TIMED
MODERATE 28 MILE RIDE
The "Easyish" route is a beautiful option for those looking to explore the region without taking on such gruelling climbs.
The course features an out-and-back format with one moderate descent which turns into a moderate climb after you turn around. If you don't want to drop all the way to Dinkey Creek, you can simply turn around at the aid station located at mile 10.
Supported. Non-Competitive.
NOT TIMED
MODERATE 35 MILE NON-COMPETITIVE RIDE
Join Canyon Athlete, Tyler Pearce (The Vegan Cyclist) on Sunday, OCT 16 while he shows you the ancient, towering McKinley Grove.
Canyon Bicycles will be on-site to support the ride with basic mechanical support, some water and replenishment.
The Hammer honors the late Edward O. Lund, a Fresno State faculty member, avid cyclist, artist, curator and one of the founding organizers of Fresno’s Art Hop. Ed tragically lost his life in late 2015 due to a cycling accident. Ed approached everything in life with passion and verve, and we honor his memory through cycling and music with The Hammer.
The Hammer Road Rally remembers Ed, and his passion for both cycling and art. It brings attention and funds to the Ed Lund Foundation which supports aspiring artists at Fresno State University through a study-abroad scholarship program.
The Hammer Road Rally is a Bike Monkey production in remembrance, celebration and in support of the Edward O. Lund Foundation.
EMail: info@bikemonkey.net