Calvins Challenge 2027

The Calvins Challenge Event for 2027 - May 15-16

I am very excited to announce that the Calvins Challenge event is back again in 2027 after being an ever greater success in 2026.

I am waiting for confirmation if any events in 2027 will be WUCA NA Championships - return here for any updates.

We are also incredibly fortunate enough to have it at the same Shawnee High School location! The format for the 100 mile, 6-hr, 12-hr and 24-hr events will be the same as 2026 - utilizing a long and short loop! There will be drafting, non-drafting, and self-supported categories. For insurance issues: I must clearly state that this is not a race. Each rider is riding for personal best in their own category.

What’s New: Nicer and shorter daytime loop.

Sadly due to the continued deterioration of many sections of the original 50-mile loop I do not feel it is safe any longer. So right after the event in May I scouted, rode, and video’d some possible replacement routes. And the winner is:

The 15.0 mile daytime loop (all events)

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54088467

RAAM Qualifier (RQ)

Again for 2026 - Calvins Challenge 24-hour non-drafting event will be a RAAM qualifier. The RQ Standard is 380 miles for men and 350 miles for women and 60+ men.

Where is it:

The hub of the event will be the Shawnee High School (1675 E Possum Rd, Springfield, OH 45502). If you rode in Calvin’s 2016 or earlier or 2024-25 you will recognize it. The start/finish/lap timing and crew setup will be at the back of the building in the parking lots. There is traffic circle at the intersection of Selma Pike and E Possum Rd (at the NE corner of the school) - which is a welcome addition. Here is a view of that area: Yellow path indicates bike route on road and purple is timing and crew setup. Riders will come into school back parking lot off of E Possum Rd - and then turn right on to Selma Pike.

Important Dates:

• Dec 31, 2026: Last Day for early bird registration
• April 1, 2027: Last Day to order a custom Calvin’s t-shirt or Jersey
• May 14, 2027: Final day for online registration
• May 14, 2027: 4pm - 7pm - Packet pickup and late registration
• May 15, 2027: 5am-6am - event day packet pickup and late registration

Packet Pickup and on-site Registration:

New for 2027 - No more paper waivers - I will email you a link you can use electronically sign your waiver. Then about 2 weeks before the event I will email you your digital packet including your bib # and all other info about the event. All you will have to do is show up Fri from 4-7 or Sat from 6-7 to get your bike tag and your RFID tag - then ride!

Your packet up is at the Shawnee High School Football concession stand (behind the school)

Awards and snacks:

Awards will be given at the finish line area after each event as soon as results can be tabulated - Estimating 15-30 minutes after last rider in.

I will provide some after ride snacks and water for the riders and crew. If you would like to bring anything to share there will be some tables to put in on. I will also work on getting some food trucks there this year too!

The courses:

• The original 50.5 daytime loop: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7576957
• The new 15.0 mile daytime loop: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54088467
• The original 6.8 mile finishing loop: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7576965

The events:

There will be 4 UltraCycling events: 100 Mile, 6-hour, 12-hour, & 24-hour.

There will be 3 Time Trial events: 7-Mile, 15-Mile, and 50-Mile Time Trial.

All events will have the following categories: gender, 5-yr age-groups, all bike types, supported or unsupported, and solo as well as 2 thru 8 rider teams. There is something for everyone! The UltraCycling events will also have non-drafting or drafting categories.

Mechanicals and/or race abandonment before completing a full lap:

If you have a mechanical and had to call your crew to help and had to return to the school, you must return to the spot you stopped (via vehicle is fine) and continue if you are able. If you are not able to and you must abandon, to get credit for this partial lap you must be tracking your GPS location on your phone or Garmin (type) unit. You must save this file to Strava and present it to the Event Director when you declare you have abandoned before the official end of your timed event. If you do this then the Event Director will review your Strava ride and credit you with the mileage you rode on the partial lap.

Event protocol:

All events will start at 7:00am and will ride their respective long loop until there is not enough time to ride another loop - then they will transition to the 6.8 mile loop until their time is finished.

Miscellaneous:

This event is also aligning with the World Record setting standards within World UltraCycling Association (WUCA). This new format also allows all riders to ride until the very end of their timed event.

Accommodations:

• Many hotels: There are many hotels in and around Springfield where you can stay.
• RV Parking: This is no outdoor camping allowed at the school, but you can park your RV there.

Lastly, we are very fortunate in that the Shawnee School District has graciously allowed us to use their High School for our event again. PLEASE be considerate of the building and the space. Don’t try to gain access to the tracks or the school. Use the time immediately after your event (while you are waiting for the award ceremony) to remove all personal items and all trash from your support area.

More information:

Thank you to the Shawnee School District and especially the principal and athletic director of the High School for their support.

For more details on the event, visit the official page: Calvins Challenge 2027.