Shake off the winter rust and test your early-season fitness at the Rough Road 100, a Spring Classic-inspired road/gravel event in Morris, Illinois. Located just an hour outside of Chicago, this event embraces the unpredictability of Midwest spring weather, offering a mix of fast pavement, gritty gravel, and scenic rural terrain. Known for its welcoming, all-inclusive atmosphere, the RR100 is designed for competitive racers, gravel enthusiasts, and "gravel-curious" cyclists alike.

Course Description

The Rough Road 100 features a challenging mix of surfaces, typically comprising 63% to 65% smooth pavement and 35% to 37% mixed surface gravel/dirt.

100K Route (approx. 62 miles): This route takes cyclists through scenic Illinois farm country, featuring fast-paced flats, exposed roads that invite wind, and punchy, short climbs to test your legs. The course concludes with a memorable section on the Historic I&M Canal tow path.
64K Route (approx. 40 miles): A shorter loop designed for those looking to build into the season or looking for a faster, "gravel-curious" introduction to the race.
Conditions: Be prepared for varied, "rough" road conditions—ranging from chip-and-seal tarmac to deep gravel and two-track dirt. A road bike with 32mm+ tires or a gravel/cyclocross bike is recommended.

Event Details & Highlights

Start/Finish: Downtown Morris, IL, with post-race festivities and awards at Keg Grove Brewing.
Safety & Support: The course is well-marked with ground arrows and signage. Several intersections will have law enforcement presence.
Logistics: The event is self-supported, but there are convenience stores available for fuel in the towns of Marseilles and Seneca.
Post-Race: Awards ceremony after noon with equal payouts for top 5 open/USAC men and women in the 100K, plus random prize raffles.

Schedule

Packet Pick Up: Friday, 5:30 PM–8:00 PM and Saturday, 6:00 AM–7:15 AM at Keg Grove Brewing.
Start Time: 8:00 AM

Course Description

Event Details & Highlights

Schedule

Rough Road 100 From a Rider's Point of View