NEDERLAND — The inaugural gravel bike race in Nederland this summer won’t be known as the Dead Man Gravel bike race after all, but it will be open to more participants because of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions in Boulder County.

Race organizers announced the race in March, saying that it would be added to the gravel bike race circuit and that efforts would be made to make the race especially inclusive for women and people of color. 

“We realized that having ‘man’ in our name didn’t complement our mission,” said public relations director Scott Kaier. 

So instead of naming the race after Bredo Morstoel, the frozen dead guy preserved on ice in Nederland, the event will now be called Ned Gravel, a reference to Nederland, the home base for the race.

Kaier also said that because Boulder County has eased COVID restrictions the race can now host up to 750 participants. Registration can be accomplished here.

The race will be one of the highest and most challenging gravel races in the country, organizers said, but it has more than one course so that less experienced bikers can participate along with professional riders.

The inaugural Ned Gravel will be July 31 with start and finish in downtown Nederland. 

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