A: Need to change your distance? Want to go for a longer route? Need a different shirt size? Simply email your need to info@bikemonkey.net. Changes and transfers must be completed by August 15. Changes may include moving to a different race distance (i.e., from French Fry to Baked Potato), transferring your registration to a lucky friend, and updating contact information.
Please see our event schedule for the most up-to-date start times. The most critical ones to pay attention to are the start times for your route on Saturday's final stage, because not all routes start together. Starting in 2026, the start times for the Baked and Fully Baked Potato routes are an hour earlier for two reasons: 1) The courses are more challenging than they have been in the past with the new roads that we've introduced, and 2) It will give everyone a higher probability of completing the course they've signed up for within our support window.
A: Please read our refund policy for current details about refunds.
A: Registration will remain open until it sells out. If there are spaces available onsite, you may still register in person, but onsite registration is more expensive.
A: Check out all the course details here on our home page.
A: RPI is a largely self-supported event. Plan to bring the hydration, nutrition, and tools you need to succeed along your chosen route(s). Rest stops will be available on the final day of the Queen’s Stage Race, including for all riders in the French Fry, Baked Potato, Fully Loaded, and Tater Tot categories.
Rest stops will offer shade, bicycle racks, portable restrooms, trash receptacles, water, and limited food items to support riders. All food and water distribution will be done in accordance to best practices for food and health safety standards. Volunteers and staff will be onsite at all rest stops.
The Tater Tot rest stop is located at the turnaround point at mile 8.5.
Rest Stop 1 (Trail Creek) - French Fry, Baked Potato, Fully Loaded
The rest stop is located at the top of the Trail Creek climb.
- French Fry riders will pass this at mile 12 and 45
- Baked Potato riders will pass this at miles 12 and 92
- Fully Loaded riders will pass at miles 12 and 106.5
Wild Horse cutoff is the first cutoff to make; all riders must be to this point (mile 35.5) by 9:15 a.m.
Rest Stop 2 (Burma Road) - Baked Potato and Fully Loaded (does not include French Fry)
All riders will pass the second rest stop at mile 46.6. This is at the bottom of the big Burma Climb, a 6-mile climb with 2500 feet of elevation gain (up to 8700 feet of elevation), so be sure you are stocked up on water and fuel.
The Copper Basin time cutoff (for Fully Loaded) is 1:00 p.m. at mile 61, just before the third rest stop.
Rest Stop 3 (Big Lost) - Baked Potato and Fully Loaded (does not include French Fry)
Riders will hit this rest stop tat mile 62, ten miles after the summit almost all downhill to this aid station.
Rest Stop 4 (Copper Basin) - Baked Potato and Fully Loaded (does not include French Fry)
Fully Loaded will do the Copper Basin Loop and hit this aid station at Mile 81. Baked Potato will continue down East Fork Road (where you popped out at the Copper Basin cutoff) and hit this aid station at mile 65.
Rest Stop 5 (Wild Horse) - French Fry, Baked Potato, Fully Loaded
This rest stop is located on the west side of the Wild Horse Creek and 135 split. French Fry will hit this stop at miles 24 and 32. Baked Potato will hit this stop at mile 77, 24, and 76. Fully Loaded will hit this at mile 91.
The El Diablito time cutoff is 3:00 p.m. for Fully Loaded and Baked Potato only. All hand cyclists (human and OPDMD) and recumbent bikes do NOT do this route; instead, stay straight on Trail Creek Road. For Fully Loaded, this is mile 96.5. For Baked Potato, this is mile 82.
A: Please refer to our policies page for more information regarding cancellations, refunds, and transfers.
A: No. However, we purchase our insurance through USA Cycling, and because of this you must still sign a USA Cycling Waiver even though you do not need a license to participate in the event. Insuring our event with USA Cycling coverage does not require us to follow any of the racing guidelines or category rules that might otherwise govern a USA Cycling sanctioned event. To be clear, RPI is not sactioned by USA Cycling, only insured by it.
A: The RPI course is OPEN, meaning that it is your responsibility to be aware of traffic, fellow riders, and wildlife. You must obey the rules of the road and follow our Gravel SHARK ethics (see our policies page to read about them). Failure to comply will disqualify you from the event.
A: While the course is open to traffic, we do not encourage family and friends to be out on it. For the safety of all riders involved, we want to do our best to minimize the amount of traffic on the course. We also want to assure we maintain the integrity of this beautiful National Forest Land and reduce our footprint as much as possible.
However, if they would like to volunteer to help at one of our aid stations we would love for them to join us in support not just of yourself but of all our event participants. It's a super fun way to be a part of the action. Click here to learn more about volunteering at RPI.
RPI very gratefully takes place on primarily National Forest Land, including the Lost River Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the Ketchum Ranger Districts of the Sawtooth National Forest, all of which are historic native land of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe. This land is also open range land, meaning grazing livestock may be on the course.
Below are some general rules and parameters from our Forest Service permit related to land use:
- Be respectful of other NFS users, including other recreationalists and permit holders.
- Recreation events are non-exclusive, and public lands are for everyone’s enjoyment.
- Please be mindful that the Forest is still open for other visitors to recreate and that public lands are shared spaces. --- Other permit holders include grazing, mining, and logging permittees, who also operate on NFS lands.
- Please be mindful of these activities.
- For events that occur within or near grazing allotments, do not harass or stress livestock, and leave gates as you found them (i.e., keep closed gates closed).
- Respect wildlife. Do not harass and stress wildlife. Observe wildlife from a distance and do not approach or feed.
- Ensure participants practice Leave No Trace ethics and prevent resource damage.
- Take responsibility for any resource damage that occurs as a result of the event and contact the Forest Service to repair, restore, or replace any damages on NFS lands.
- Stay on designated routes and trails. Motorized vehicles must comply with Motor Vehicle Use Maps.Prevent the spread of noxious weeds by cleaning motorized vehicles and equipment prior to accessing NFS lands. Events promoting motorized use must provide participants access to weed wash stations.
- Follow all federal, state, and county laws.
- Leave NFS lands better than you found them.
A: The Duo category was created so that two riders can work together on the French Fry or Baked Potato courses to share the load and help each other along.
Duo Team rules:
- Duo riders must sign up for the Duo category when registering.
- Duo riders must stay within sight of each other throughout the entire course.
- Duo riders must cross ALL of the timing mats AND finish line together.
- You will be scored and recognized as a team; we have Duo category prizing!
A: The Tandem category is designed for tandem bicycle riders who want to work together to complete the French Fry or Baked Potato courses. Grab your partner and tandem bike and enjoy the race from whichever bike seat you choose!
A: Yes!
There are time cuts that impact the Baked Potato and Fully Baked Potato routes on Saturday's final stage.
Wildhorse Creek - 9:15 AM
If you do not reach mile 22 by 9:15 a.m. on the Baked Potato or Fully Loaded routes, you will be redirected to the French Fry route. In order to make this cut, you will need to maintain a 10 mph average speed. We estimate that the slowest 10% of the field will not make this time cut. But it is a very important one because the challenge ahead means your average speed will drop so low that you will be far off the back of our aid station support windows on course if you're not able to maintain at least this average speed within the first 22 miles of such a long day.
Copper Basin - 1:00 PM
If you do not reach mile 61 on the Fully Loaded route by 1:00 p.m., you will be redirected to the Baked Potato route. This eliminates the Copper Basin Loop, which is about 18 miles long, and 1,000 feet of climbing. This second cutoff should only affect less than 3% of the remaining riders attempting the Fully Loaded course, but it is necessary in order to keep all riders within our on-course support window.
El Diablito - 3:00 PM
If you do not reach mile 82 on the Baked Potato route or 96.5 on the Fully Loaded route by 3:00 p.m., you will not be permitted to complete the El Diablito section of those courses. This eliminates 5.5 miles and just over 600 feet of rugged elevation gain to keep all riders within our on-course support window. This should impact as much as 15% of our remaining Fully Loaded participants, but maybe only a couple of our Baked Potato participants.
A: Go as big as will fit! Just be sure to dial your tire pressure and choose a tire with decent sidewall protection. Maxxis Rambler EXOs are Rebecca's go-to.
A: Yes! About 25% of riders at RPI ride on their mountain bikes. We know that not everyone can own a variety of different bike types, so if you choose to ride a mountain bike during RPI, we recommend using thinner (1.8”-ish) tires without a lot of tread on it to make a noticeable decrease in resistance and therefore increase in speed.
As far as fat bikes go, a small percentage of RPI riders choose this option each year, though it is definitely slower.
You can also always rent a gravel bike from Sturtevants of Sun Valley if you’re interested in seeing if this bike type is right for you! For more information, visit their website or give them a call at 208-726-4501. Please note they tend to book quickly for dates during RPI, so make your reservations well in advance!
A: Yes! We are always looking for more volunteers to help our already incredible and dedicated team on the ground in the Sun Valley area. Check out the volunteer page here.
A: Capacities for all our events are determined by permits granted by the U.S. Forest Service. While we would love to let as many people as possible experience the Queen’s Stage Race, we are grateful for all that our permits do to protect the places we love by keeping them safe and clean so that we can continue to enjoy them in pristine shape for years to come.
To that end, the Queen’s Stage Race is limited to 300 riders and sells out quickly each year. You may register for the QSR waitlist, but we also strongly recommend registering for the Saturday Baked Potato ride to ensure you have a guaranteed way to saddle up in case a QSR spot does not open up.
A: As with anything, practice is important. Try to ride your drop-bar gravel bike like a mountain bike. Our suggestion is that you start dipping onto some singletrack on your gravel bike while training for RPI. For more tips and tricks directly from Rebecca sign up for the Rusch Academy "Mastering RPI" course for detailed insights to execute your best RPI ever!
A: We have worked closely with Dr. Meg Fisher to develop clear guidelines for the RPI para cycling category, and you can review those guidelines here. To be eligible for the para cycling category, the para cyclist must have a medically diagnosed condition that is permanent and meets one of the eligible impairments for sport adapted from the International Paralympic Committee and listed in the guidelines document linked above. Cyclists with acute injuries or temporary conditions are ineligible. Neither a national nor an international para-cycling classification is required.
A: Not all events are open to all para cyclists due to terrain, course dynamics, and safety considerations. The Queen’s Stage Race has narrow single track inaccessible to three-wheeled cycles and is only open to the upright (single human-powered bike) category. The Baked Potato route will have a re-route for hand cycles and recumbents.
A: Para cyclists may ride with an assistant or shadow rider. The shadow rider’s role is to assist at aid stations with nutrition, toileting, etc. At no point shall the shadow rider be in front of the para cyclist providing a draft, nor pushing the rider from behind while on course. The shadow rider will have a guaranteed free entry with the para cyclist; please email us at info@bikemonkey.net to coordinate.
A: There are two competitive para cycling categories for podium placement: upright and hand cycle. We strive to create a competitive para cycling race program across gravel racing, but at this time can only accommodate the following categories:
- UPRIGHT (human-powered single bike)
- HAND CYCLE (hand-powered kneeling and recumbent)
As we grow, we aim to add more para cycling competitive categories.
A: Bikes that do not meet the competitive categories are still able to participate in RPI. These cyclists will be recognized, but they will not be able to compete for podium placement. Bikes in this category include foot-powered recumbents, VI Tandem, and other tricycle bikes. Please feel free to contact us at info@bikemonkey.net for questions. We hope to open more competitive groups, allowing more bike styles, as our outreach and participation increases.
A: We adhere to the framework maintained by the International Olympic Committee. You may read the entire framework here: IOC Framework on fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations.
A: Great question! RPI lets the rider set their own goal. If your goal is to be at the top of the podium, race away! If your aspirations are to finish your first 20, 56, or 102 miles of gravel, we'll support you the entire way and high five you at the end. If you sign up for the experience of RPI—hometown hospitality, connecting with fellow riders, celebrating beautiful places—we will make sure the views are epic and the smiles genuine.
So in short, RPI is a ride, a race, an experience—whatever you want it to be!
A: While RPI is not a fundraiser there is a fundraising component. We encourage you to pedal with purpose in support of the Be Good™ Foundation, which is dedicated to using the bicycle as a catalyst for healing, empowerment, and evolution. To learn more about the Be Good™ Foundation and to increase your impact by donating directly, visit the Be Good Foundation website.
A: We're so glad you asked! Visit our policies page to read about what it means to be a gravel SHARK.
There are a variety of lodging options in the Ketchum area, but it is a tourist town and can be busy even after Labor Day; we suggest making reservations well in advance.
Limelight Hotel is offering up to 25% off for RPI riders. Book your rooms early to get the best rates, and call to let them know you are with RPI to receive the discount (you can cancel within 14 days for a full refund).
Alpine Lodging has condos throughout the valley and also offers discounted rates for RPI riders. Call to let them know you are with RPI to receive the discount.
The Saturday race start is at Champions Meadow on Sun Valley Road between Spruce and Dollar.
Packet pickup takes place on Friday at Champions Meadow at 200 Sun Valley Rd East in Sun Valley. Downtown Ketchum is only about three miles wide, making most lodging options very walkable from both Champions Meadow. The exception would be Elkhorn Village in Sun Valley, which is a bit further afield, though still very rideable by bike!
A: The Friday packet pickup and the Saturday race start is at Champions Meadow on Sun Valley Road between Spruce and Dollar.
There are a few camping and RV parking options on public lands in the Ketchum area. Head to the recreation.gov website for more information and to check availability. Please note that sites tend to fill very quickly, so make your reservations early.
There is an RV park just south of town, about five miles from race start. Contact the Meadows RV Park directly to inquire about a spot.
No RV parking is allowed within Ketchum city limits. Please be respectful of the City of Ketchum and City of Sun Valley's parking rules.
A: Yes! Camping is a popular option in the Sun Valley area. There is dispersed camping off almost every dirt road in the valley. Almost all sites will be out of cell phone range and will require some driving to find a spot, so be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to find your home for the weekend.
A: We strongly recommend riding to the race start if you are staying in Ketchum or Sun Valley. All Saturday categories begin on the border of Ketchum and Sun Valley in Champions Meadow just off Sun Valley Road and are easily accessed via a paved bike path.
If you are staying out of town or need to drive for some other reason, please park in one of the public parking lots around town and then ride or walk to Champions Meadow from there. Do not park in an on-street, two-hour parking spot, as you will be ticketed. You can find more information about and locations of public parking options on the City of Ketchum’s website.
We suggest that you plan to be parked and rolling to the start line no later than 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. start time for the Baked and Fully Baked routes.
A: RPI takes advantage of a wealth of world-class gravel roads in the greater Sun Valley area. Many of these roads head into remote regions where cell service is either severly limited or unavailable. Plan ahead and do not rely on cell coverage during the event.
A: Yes! We'll have a bag drop station on Saturday morning for all riders in the Fully Loaded, Baked Potato, French Fry, and Tater Tot categories. Your bag must have your rider number on it in order to be put in the bag drop. Feel free to pack a change of clothes, recovery drinks, car keys, and any other items you might need to relax and enjoy the finish line party at Champions Meadow without having to go back to your car or lodging. Changing tents and bike valet will also be available post-ride.
A: The Be Good™ Foundation Party is open to anyone, and all proceeds go toward the Foundation’s mission to use the bicycle as a catalyst for healing, empowerment and evolution. Click here to buy your tickets!
