Steve Tilford Foundation Logo
STF EPIC CONCEPT LOGO

September 26, 2026 - Lawrence, KS

A gravel cycling festival at the Snake Farm Ranch with EPIC circuits on surrounding gravel roads and trails!

Register for the STF Epic!

FAQ

Questions about registration, timing, or race day logistics? Start here.

We’ve put together the key details so you can spend less time searching and more time getting ready to ride.

Registration

There are two pre-event opportunities to pick up your packet, at which you can also register if there is room. We strongly encourage everyone to pick up their packets on Friday, as race morning will be very busy. The ride starts will not wait for people still picking up their packets.

General Packet Pick-Up Opportunities:

Friday, September 25th, 2026: Sunflower Outdoor and Bike from 4:00-8:00pm

Saturday, September 26th, 2026: Snake Farm Ranch (main venue) from 6:30-7:30am

Yes, day-of registration will be available as long as the event has not sold out. Registration will be handled through BikeReg, and details on day-of registration and packet pick-up will be shared closer to the event. Event-morning packet pick-up will take place on-site near the start/finish area.

STF Epic offers three category options: men, women, and non-binary/gender expansive. Your category will be pulled from the gender selection in your BikeReg profile.

If you would like to compete in a different category than what appears in your BikeReg account, please contact Kent at kent@stevetilfordfoundation.org before event day so we can make that adjustment with timing.

Additional Considerations

We recognize that Kansas, like many places, can present challenges for gender non-conforming and gender expansive individuals. Our goal is to create an environment at STF Epic where all participants feel respected, supported, and able to focus on the experience of the event.

We encourage anyone with questions or concerns about participation, category selection, facilities, or event-day logistics to reach out ahead of time. Open communication helps us make thoughtful adjustments and provide the best possible experience for everyone.

Please contact Kent at kent@stevetilfordfoundation.org with any questions or to discuss your specific needs.

Gravel racing does not have a universal para classification system. For STF Epic, the para category is intended for athletes with a permanent disability.

If you are unsure whether the para category is the right fit for you, or if you have questions about registration, please reach out to us ahead of time and we’ll be happy to help.

As part of your registration fee, you'll receive free pizza from Johnny's Tavern and Beer from Lawrence Beer Company.

REFUND POLICY:

  • We do not offer refunds. You may transfer your entry to another rider within BikeReg.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

  • Rider-to-rider transfers can be completed directly in BikeReg.

  • BikeReg offers optional registration insurance, which we strongly recommend.

You can also transfer your entry to another rider for a $5 surcharge through your BikeReg account. If you purchased third-party event insurance, you can contact them for an entry refund.

Yes, you can log into BikeReg and change which route you are signed up for.

If you’d like to downgrade your distance during the ride (i.e. signed up for the Whole Pie but feel bad and want to complete the Half Pie), that is okay, however, you’ll receive a DNF. At the finish, you need to immediately report to timing so they can amend your result. You must change your distance prior to the start, before check-in closes.

Yes. Please use common sense around other riders. E-bike riders will not be considered for podiums and you should designate that you are on an e-bike when you register.

There is a tandem category in BikeReg. Your “tandem captain” will register both riders at the same time. The price is per team (versus each individual).

Phone numbers used to register in Bike Reg will be used to send a final reminder and emergency information for the weekend of the event only.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes.

Event Day: Timeline & Logistics

A detailed STF Epic event schedule will be released closer to the event. That schedule will include packet pickup, staging times, start times, podium timing, and key venue activities.

The Rider Guide and event website will serve as the official source for the most current schedule.

Parking is available on-site near the start/finish area for easy access to check-in, staging, and the event hub. Please follow event signage and parking staff directions when you arrive.

We’re still finalizing food and drink offerings for the event. More details will be shared closer to event day.

Event Day: On Course

STF Epic routes will be provided through Ride with GPS and shared at least one week before the event. Riders are responsible for downloading their route in advance and having it available on a bike computer or phone on event day.

Courses will not be marked, so riders should not expect directional signage on course. Please come prepared to navigate using the official route file.

Aid station access at STF Epic depends on route distance and loop format. Our aid station support will be located at the start/finish area, which riders will pass through based on their selected distance.

Final support details for each route will be shared closer to the event in the Rider Guide.

Water will be available at the STF Epic support area in the start/finish zone. Additional aid station supplies, food, and support details will be confirmed closer to the event.

Riders should plan to be self-sufficient and bring the nutrition, hydration, and repair items they expect to need on course.

All routes will have chip timing.

All STF Epic routes are open to traffic unless otherwise noted. Riders are responsible for following all applicable traffic laws, riding predictably, and staying aware of their surroundings at all times.

Please ride respectfully, do not litter, and help us take good care of the roads, trails, and properties that make this event possible.

STF Epic riders should come prepared to be self-sufficient between passes through the venue. We recommend carrying enough fluids and nutrition for your route segment, along with the tools and supplies needed to handle common mechanicals.

At minimum, plan to carry flat repair supplies, a pump or inflator, a multi-tool, a charged phone, and any personal nutrition or medications you may need during the ride.

Riders should plan to be self-supported during STF Epic. Outside support from personal vehicles is not permitted on course except in the case of emergency or rider pickup.

Friends and family are welcome to cheer from appropriate locations, but support crews should not drive the course to follow riders. If a rider needs to abandon, pickup should be handled as safely and efficiently as possible.

Yes! Helmets are required to participate.

Course Safety & Rules

The STF Epic takes place on a mix of open public roads, trails, and private property. Please ride safely, follow all traffic laws, and respect other road and trail users.

  • Railroad Tracks: Do not stop, gather, or provide support within the railroad right-of-way, particularly near the tracks on Alexander Road by the Lawrence Levee Trail. Cross only at established legal crossings.
  • Highway 24/40: Traffic will not be stopped for the event. Riders must obey traffic laws and cross only when safe.
  • Open Roads: Obey all stop signs and traffic signals, ride no more than two abreast, and expect normal vehicle traffic throughout the course.
  • Stay on Course: Follow official course markings and do not enter private property unless it is part of the marked route.
  • Support & Spectators: Please use safe, legal locations away from traffic lanes, intersections, and railroad property.

When in doubt, safety takes priority. Stop, yield, and wait until it is safe to proceed.

Competitors

Yes, STF Epic is absolutely a race. It is also meant to be a great day on the bike for people who want more of an adventure than a result sheet.

If you like pinning a number on and seeing what you can do, there will be competitive categories, timing, and podiums. If you would rather ride hard with friends, settle into the challenge, and enjoy the day at Snake Farm, that works too.

Some categories are competitive, while others are there to make the event more welcoming and accessible. E-bike categories are non-competitive, and the Half Slice Fun Ride is designed as a non-competitive option.

Results are based on mass start to finish, not chip time. Your time begins with the official start of your distance, not when you roll across the timing mat.

Your finish time is recorded when you cross the finish line.

For example, if your distance starts at 8:00 AM and you finish at 12:00 PM, your official time is 4 hours.

If you are doping, stay home.

Steve Tilford had no patience for dopers, and neither do we. STF Epic is built to honor the kind of riding and racing Steve believed in: hard, honest, and earned.

This event is about real effort, real competition, and a good day on the bike. Keep it that way.

We expect to have a cut-off for the longest course only. Because STF Epic uses a cloverleaf format that brings riders back through the start/finish area, that should be fairly easy to manage.

The goal is not to be harsh. It is to make sure riders are on a pace that allows them to complete the course safely while aid, course support, and event operations are still in place. Final cut-off details will be shared in the Rider Guide closer to the event.

Your number plate will include the timing transponder used to record your result. It must be mounted properly on the front of your bike and kept fully intact.

Do not fold, bend, cut, trim, wrap, or otherwise modify your number plate or RFID chip. If you do, it may not read correctly and you may not receive a time.

No, aerobars will not be allowed at STF Epic this year.

Not this year.

STF Epic is being built first and foremost as a fundraiser to support the Steve Tilford Foundation’s youth-centered initiatives, including programs like Let’s Ride! That means our priority is putting resources into the event experience and the mission behind it rather than cash payouts.

We love high-level competition and would be happy if STF Epic grows into that kind of event over time, but in year one, the focus is building something great and using it to do real good.

Yes. We expect to offer age group awards for the competitive categories. The Half Slice Fun Ride is not intended as a competitive category.

Final age group breakdowns, podium details, and award timing will be shared closer to the event.

We plan to offer special category podiums for para athletes and single speed riders in the competitive distances. The Half Slice Fun Ride is not intended as a podium category.

Final category details, podium depth, and any route-specific exceptions will be confirmed closer to the event.

We plan to offer para category podiums and awards at STF Epic. If participation supports it, additional para subcategories may be recognized.

Final para category details, podium structure, and any subcategory breakdowns will be confirmed closer to the event as registration develops.

STF Epic wants to make participation possible for para athletes, including those who require electric assist as part of their adaptive setup.

Because adaptive equipment and athlete needs can vary, podium and category eligibility for electric-assist adaptive bikes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as registration develops. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible while keeping competition fair and transparent.

If you are planning to ride an electric-assist adaptive bike, please reach out before the event so we can determine the best category and recognition structure.

Bikes are fun and let's keep it that way. In a group, skip the headphones so riders can communicate with you if needed (transparency mode is fine).

Emergency Protocols

Rider safety is a priority, and we will share emergency procedures with participants before the event. Important updates related to weather, course changes, or emergency situations will be communicated as clearly and quickly as possible using the contact information provided during registration, along with on-site staff and aid stations when applicable.

Closer to event weekend, we will provide riders with the best way to receive updates and get help on course if needed.

Every rider should have a personal emergency contact who can pick them up if needed. In many cases, that will be the fastest option.

Support on course will be limited, so if you are able to keep moving, please make your way to the nearest aid station where we will be in a better position to help.

We will also have sweepers out on course and roving support helping manage riders throughout the day.

September is usually one of the best times of year to ride in Kansas, but it can still keep things interesting. Expect the potential for warm temperatures, wind, and the occasional storm.

We will be monitoring the forecast closely and planning accordingly, especially if heat or storms are in play. Riders should also come prepared to make smart decisions based on conditions out on course.

First, stay calm and assess the situation. If you or someone else is having a serious medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

If the issue is minor and you are able to keep moving, your best bet is to head to the nearest aid station. Riders should come prepared to handle flats and other minor mechanical issues on their own.

If you cannot continue, your personal emergency contact may be the fastest option. We will also have sweepers and roving support out on course helping manage riders throughout the day.

STF Epic takes place on roads and trails that are open to normal public use. We have designed the course to use low-traffic roads where possible, but riders should expect occasional vehicle traffic and should stay alert at all times.

All riders are responsible for knowing and following the rules of the road and for riding within their limits. Keep your head up, use good judgment, and be especially careful at intersections, road crossings, and anywhere the course interacts with public traffic.

Inclusion at STF Epic

Yes. STF Epic is built to bring people together for a great day on the bike and a meaningful day at Snake Farm Ranch. Whether you are racing at the front, riding with friends, volunteering, or cheering people on from the sidelines, you are welcome here.

We welcome participants of all ages, races, genders, abilities, bodies, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. It takes something to show up to an event, especially if it is your first one, and we want that effort to be met with respect.

We have zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior from riders, spectators, volunteers, or staff. Anyone who fails to meet that standard may be removed from the event without refund or award, if applicable.

STF Epic exists to honor Steve Tilford’s legacy and help grow the future of cycling. That starts with creating an event where people feel included, respected, and glad they came.

Yes. STF Epic includes a para category for athletes with permanent disabilities.

We are not going to pretend we have every detail dialed on day one, but we do want para athletes to know they are welcome at this event. The para category is one small step toward making sure that welcome is reflected in the registration process as well. If there is something that would help you participate, please reach out ahead of time and we will do our best to be helpful.

For information about para athelete category prizes and podiums, please see the competitors section.

Preparation

The course will feature a wide variety of terrain. Most of the gravel is fast and friendly, but if we get rain, things can get a little more interesting. The good news is September is usually one of the best times of year to ride gravel in Kansas, and any rain we do get is less likely to completely wreck the route than it would in the spring.

There is also a healthy dose of singletrack at Snake Farm and the Lawrence River Trail. Both are very rideable on a gravel bike. LRT can get a little loose and sandy when it’s dry, and extra fun when there’s just enough moisture to tack things up.

We’re not going to tell you there is one perfect tire for this event, because there isn’t. A normal gravel setup should work well, and you do not need a mountain bike-specific setup to enjoy the course. Part of the fun is deciding how much tire you want for the day.