SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
Palo Alto, CA
This Year: Two Courses!

Rider Email September 15 with all the details! Hello from Infestation planning HQ! Thank you for registering for this year’s edition of Infestation Gravel! The weather is looking perfect, the courses are dialed, and the stoke is high! Here is a quick rundown of what to expect on the day of the event: …but first… Rules of engagement This is not a race, there is no prize for first place, and more than likely the last rider in will receive the most fanfare. We’re out here to have a good time. The course is not closed to other trail users, please be respectful. Call out and pass with care, again, not a race. Midpen has a 15mph speed limit, do with this information what you will. Obey traffic laws, and use common sense on the paved sections. Cars are hard, and cyclists are squishy (even the fit ones). We love our sponsor Bicycle Law, but let’s try not to add any cases to their schedule from this event. Now, on to the good stuff. Course and Bikes ShortCourse:https://www.strava.com/routes/3405218676039251166 Long Course:https://www.strava.com/routes/3345172801088817806 There is no “right” bike for this event, but one could argue that a road bike on 25c’s could qualify as the wrong bike, but I’m not going to tell you how to live your life. That having been said, our suggestion for bike range falls somewhere between a 40c gravel bike, and a 100/120mm XC bike. Special Note: Bike charity Live In Peace will be hosting a charity bike drive at the event. Bring your bikes and components that are collecting dust but still have life left and get a tax receipt! Start Times Although this is not a race, we will have some brief announcements, then an open start at 8 AM. Riders are free to start at any time up until about 9. Keep in mind the course will officially close at the following cut-off times, so for that reason, and to avoid the hottest part of the day, we recommend starting at or shortly after 8. The event officially ends at 4 PM. Cutoff times If you are cutting it close, you might consider returning down dirt alpine, altering your course selection (going short rather than long), or opting for the final bailout at HWY 9. Aid station volunteers will be able to help you navigate any of these options should you opt for one of these options. Aid station #1 11:00am Aid Station #2 12:30pm There will be course sweeps in Team Roaring Mouse kits on course doing cleanup and offering aid as needed. if you are on course and see one of the sweeps, please inform them that you are still on course. Parking Good news-there is plenty of parking at Mitchell Park and on the surrounding streets. That said, please carpool. Weather, Water and Refueling The weather looks absolutely perfect as far as we can see. That said, the course covers a lot of ground and has notoriously varied climates along the route, please pack accordingly. There will be three aid stations evenly spaced across the long course, two across the short course, plus the full park facilities at the start/finish. Please plan on being well supplied with hydration at the start, just in case the temperature spikes on Infestation Day. Route Marking The course will be marked with a combination of direction arrow, signs, and yellow ribbons in the dirt sections. In the pavement sections, look for lime green colored arrows near the right edge of the road. Please download the route(s) in this email as a backup. Printed cue sheets will be provided as well. Emergencies Please report any emergencies to rangers, sweep riders, and/or volunteers at the stations! Also, cell coverage is decent up there, and you can call 911. Post Race Please hang out and chat with your fellow riders at Mitchell Park following your ride. There will be prizes, awesome Infestation swag and good times! We are looking forward to seeing you all out there. See you soon! Team Roaring Mouse