The Courses

The Sheriff is excited to announce course changes for Fistful of Dirt 2024!  The most notable change is that ALL courses are changing directions.  Please check out our course descriptions, maps, and profiles below for all our course changes!

This ain’t your mama’s gravel.  Come prepared for our signature Whiskey Gravel – it’s gnarly, twisty, steep, unrelenting fun.  And did I mention the most breathtaking views this side of the Mississippi?  Probably that side too.  

Below you’ll find descriptions for The Good, The Drifter, The Bad, and The Ugly.  Come to race, or just come for a leisurely ride with friends and family.  All distances start and finish at City Park in downtown Cody. Learn a little bit more about each distance below.  Hope to see you there, pardner!

***Please note, each race contains portions of private property.  These private sections are listed on our maps below with separate additional lines.  These land owners have been gracious enough to grant only FFOD riders access ONLY for the race on 9/1/2024.  Pre-riding of these sections is never allowed, and crews/friends/family will not be allowed on these sections during the race.  These policies will be strictly enforced and any riders caught breaking rules will be immediately DQ’d and removed from the course.

20 Miles

The Good

This is a 20 mile course designed with the whole family in mind.  You will encounter a little pavement, fun gravel, dirt two track, and possibly some sand as you approach the aid station about midway.  By Wyoming standards the terrain is relatively mild, but don’t be fooled, it’s still our special brand of Whiskey Gravel.  This year, we’ve replaced the section of course southeast of the golf course with some exclusive private access.  You can easily do this course on your gravel bike, but if you prefer a little more comfort and stability we recommend a mountain bike.  

Aid Station #1 – TBD

Cut-off is 5 hours – all riders must be off course by 2pm.

Sign up for The Good
40 Miles

The Drifter

The People spoke and The Sheriff listened!  For many folks our 20 Mile course is a wee bit easy, but our 65 Miler is a real bitch – 40 Mile of Fistful Of Dirt is juuuuust right.  The Sheriff’s updated 2024 course follows a similar reverse pattern as last year, heading out the Greybull Highway to Eagle Pass before ending up in Oregon Basin.  After linking up with the 20 Milers, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by our slight re-route through private access into town.

Aid Station(s) – TBD

 

Cut-off is 7 hours – all riders must be off course by 4pm.

Sign up for The Drifter
60 Miles

The Bad

This 65ish mile course is not for the faint of heart.  The first 15 miles start relatively mildly as you follow the new 20-Mile course out of town onto the Greybull Highway then into Oregon Basin.  Once you cross and head south on the Meeteetse Highway, you’ll be joining up with the 100 Milers as you take a right hand turn onto the historic Hoodoo Ranch – one of the largest ranches in Wyoming.  Here you’ll see sights not afforded to most, just watch out for those sprinting prong-horn antelope.  

For the next 16+ miles you’ll cruise through the Hoodoo Hills before hitting the infamous South Fork Rd where you’ll turn left and head southwest.  At mile 43, you’ll take a right and again hit unprecendented and exclusive access to first the TE Ranch, then Hawks Hill Ranch as you cruise through the amazing sights the South Fork Valley has to offer including the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and Sheep and Cedar Mountains.

At Mile 55, you get back onto the South Fork Rd and head north towards Cody.  Once you hit the downhill towards Cody and take a right it’s smooth sailing back to City Park.  

  • Aid Stations TBD

Cut-off is 10 hours – all riders must be off course by 7pm.

Sign up for The Bad
100 Miles

The Ugly

The Ugly starts heading south out of City Park in a neutral group through neighborhood streets before hitting the Greybull highway east out of Cody.  Just as you hit your highway stride, you’ll start your easier ascent up the McCullough Peaks until Mile 11 when your brain catches up to the realization that the hill in front of you is what you will in fact be climbing – about 1000’ to be exact.  Once you hit the top, enjoy the views as the next 15+ miles take you through breathtaking sights and rolling (generally) downward hills until you eventually cross the highway and enter directly into Oregon Basin.  The OB may not be known for it’s hills, but beware of the sand traps, heat, and cacti – depending on current conditions.  The rolling hills, faint sound of the oil wells, and vastness of the OB are quintessential elements one can’t ignore when in the wild west – you may even be lucky enough to see a petroglyph or two.  

Just about the time you think the OB will never end, you hit the Meeteetse Highway and head north for a brief stint before taking a left onto the historic and expansive Hoodoo Ranch.  Enjoy the ride, because FFOD riders have exclusive access to this wild haven for an abundance of antelope, elk, bear, and did we mention the views?  

Once out of the Hoodoo, riders will have a chance to enjoy the infamy that is the South Fork Valley – heading southwest towards the end of the road with the Absaroka Mountain Range right in front of you.  At Mile 81, you’ll take a right and meander through two more private ranches – The Trails End Ranch, and Hawks Hill Ranch – both allowing unprecedented access to FFOD riders.  From here you’ll have breathtaking views of the vast valley, Buffalo Bill Reservoir, and Sheep & Cedar Mountains.  Eventually riders will meet back up with the main South Fork Rd leading back into Cody – hanging a right at the intersections, riders will follow traffic heading generally east through Cody and on into the finish at City Park for some post-race celebrations.

  • Aid Stations TBD

Cut-off is 12 hours – all riders must be off course by 7pm.

Sign up for The Ugly