The following is a press release issued by Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance:
The 2024 Ukiah-Mendo Hopper cycling race takes place in Ukiah on Saturday, May 11. The event is the fourth and final stop in the 2024 Grasshopper Adventure Series spanning twenty cycling events across thirteen countries annually.
Grasshopper cycling events have challenged professional and novice cyclists alike for 28 years. This year’s activities begin on Thursday, May 9 with registration at the California Welcome Center, 200 S. School Street, in downtown Ukiah. Practice rides and technical demonstrations take place on Friday, and downtown Ukiah restaurants will offer a portion of their proceeds to the Moriah Wilson Foundation, the event’s beneficiary.
Local sponsors include the City of Ukiah, which is providing logistical support, and Mendocino Redwood Company, which has granted access to its private forest roads for part of the race course.
John W. Kuhry, asset manager for Mendocino Redwood Company, notes that the Grasshopper “is a rare chance to combine public recreation activities in a working sustainable forest.” The City of Ukiah also benefits, according to City Manager Shannon Riley, who says that “we’re always looking for new opportunities to show off everything that Ukiah and Mendocino County have for visitors.”
Registration and event details can be found at http://grasshopperadventureseries.com, and race updates will be posted online at @grasshopperadventureseries.
Ukiah-Mendo Hopper Schedule
Thursday, May 9
- 10:00 AM – Coffee Ride W/ Hopper Adventures: Coffee at Black Oak Cafe in Ukiah and course recon up Low Gap Rd. Meet: 476 N State St, Ukiah, CA 95482
Friday, May 10
- 10:00 AM – Coffee Ride W/ Enduro Bearings: Join Enduro Bearings and the Hopper crew for coffee and a shakeout ride starting at Black Oak Coffee in Ukiah. Tech talk, and giveaways included! Meet: 476 N State St, Ukiah, CA 95482
- 5:00 – 8:00 PM – Packet Pickup and Dine Out For Moriah Wilson Foundation: Reg packet pick up at the Ukiah Welcome Center; dine out in downtown Ukiah in support of the Moriah Wilson Foundation.
Saturday, May 11
- 5:30 – 8:00 AM – Registration: Registered rider packet pick-up at the Golf Club House at Ukiah’s Todd Grove Park.
- 8:00 AM – Neutral Start: Staging on Live Oak Ave
- 11:30 AM – After Party and Celebration: Post race after party and celebration with lunch, beer, activities, and a Specialized bike raffle!
The Courses
- 40-mile/3,200 foot ascent
- 75-mile/8,500 foot ascent
Both courses climb Low Gap Road past Ukiah High School to Masonite Road. All riders follow a mix of gravel, pavement, and packed dirt across a private logging road though redwood, fir, and oak forests of western Mendocino County. The longer course riders will ride out to Hwy 128, then up Flynn Creek Road to Comptche, and back via Comptche-Ukiah Road to Low Gap Road and Masonite Road to the finish. Short course riders will stay closer to Ukiah before finishing at the same location as the longer course riders.
