GO TO HELL IN OCTOBER.
Chelsea, MI to Hell, MI (and back).
Rode To HELL is a gravel bike event consisting of three distances: 71 mile, 41 mile and 24 mile. The race starts at the Chelsea Fairgrounds in Chelsea, MI and travels to Hell, MI and back on the 71 mile and 41 mile courses, or through purgatory on the 24-mile loop. The event encompasses Jackson, Washtenaw, Livingston and Ingham Counties. A majority of the roads traveled will be gravel with smaller segments of paved portions, making for a memorable and unique challenge at the longer distances.
2025 Rode To Hell sponsors coming soon.
The 3 Courses of the Apocalypse.
One road lead to Purgatory.
The others go straight to Hell.
Rode to Hell’s “Purgatory Loops”.
Starting and ending in Chelsea, MI, the shorter 24-mile distance travel east and north before coming back to the Chelsea Fairgrounds, never quite making it to Hell.
Going all the way to Hell.
Starting and ending in Chelsea, MI, the two longer distances would travel east and north all the way to Hell, MI before looping back to the Chelsea Fairgrounds.
24-MIle Purgatory Loop
With 712 feet of elevation gain, our shortest route is a great introduction distance for Rode To Hell.
”They yearn for what they fear for on that 24-mile course.
Dante AlighieriAuthor of Inferno
24
MILES
712
FT. ELEVATION GAIN
2
AID STATIONS
41-Mile (ish) Hell Loop
Our second shortest distance boasts 1,810 feet of elevation gain and this year is closer to 44-miles. This course makes it all the way to Hell!
”I have come to lead you to the other shore; into eternal darkness; into fire and into ice. Also into some pretty sweet gravel.
Dante AlighieriAuthor of Inferno
44.73
MILES
1,810
FT. ELEVATION GAIN
2
AID STATIONS
71-Mile (ish) Hell Loop
This is where things get real and go all the way to Hell (Michigan). Challenge yourself to 3,033 feet of elevation gain in what is actually over 73 miles of course.
”Because your question searches for deep meaning, I shall explain in simple words: that 71-mile course is hella-hard.
Dante AlighieriAuthor of Inferno
73.37
MILES
3,033
FT. ELEVATION GAIN
3
AID STATIONS
Sign-up without selling your soul.
Get the biggest savings of the year by signing up during our early bird period running through February 2. For our full pricing schedule for each distance, please click the “Pricing” button below (then click “registration details” under each distance for the full pricing schedule & tiers).
The Devil in the Details.
Race Venue
Chelsea Fairgrounds
20501 W Old US Hwy 12, Chelsea, MI 48118
Race Schedule
WHEN: Saturday, October 4th
8:30-9:45am – Packet Pickup/Reg (71, 41, 24-mile)
10:00am – 71-mile Start
10:15am – 41-mile Start
10:30am – 24-mile Start
Cutoff:
*For distances going to Hell, you must leave Hell on the return trip by 2:30pm.
Aid Stations (approximate mile markers):
24-mile – 9, 15
41-mile – 9, 32
71-mile – 9, 25, 45