Lead Ore Gravel

Welcome to the 2026 Driftless Gravel Festival!

We have teamed up with the ultra distance race, the Driftless Dagger, to form a weekend long festival in the most underrated cycling destination the Midwest. The party will get started on Friday afternoon with shakeout rides, a kids race, and packet pick up. The festival will take place at Chestnut Mountain Resort which is located in the heart of Driftless country while also overlooking the Mighty Mississippi.

Race Overview

The Galena territory was founded by resilient, industrious folks who put the area on the map by being the first major site of the mineral rush in the United States. They mined over 21 million pounds of lead in just a 3 year period. If you want to finish The Lead Ore, you’ll need the same tenacity that these early pioneers demonstrated.

Location Information

• Venue: Chestnut Mountain Resort
• Region: Illinois Driftless Region
• Scenery: Arguably the most scenic region Illinois has to offer
• Activities: Many activities for couples and families in the area

Additional Details

• Weekend Experience: We recommend making a weekend out of this one and taking in the full experience.
• Refund Policy: There are no refunds or deferrals.
• Registration Insurance: BikeReg does offer registration insurance at checkout.
• Registration Link: Register Here