A few exciting updates this season:

Referral Program: Once you register, you’ll receive a unique referral code to share with friends. Each friend you refer gets $10 off their registration, and you’ll get $10 back for every friend who signs up.
Team Classification: We’re adding a team classification for the overall series. The standings will take into account your top five riders. Note: at least two must be women.
More info info below under “How does Team Classification work for the Series overall?”
Group Discounts:
Groups of 5 or more receive $10 off per rider. Message us for your custom team/group code.
Jackson Forest Returns: The Jackson Forest Hopper is back as the fourth event in the series. This event is somethings special and we are so stoked to share it with you all!
Low Gap Course Update: Low Gap now offers two course options, a short course and a long course with the same great finish and post event party.
Junior Series: Juniors now have their own series. To be placed in the series results, juniors must compete in three (3) of the (5) five events, including the Series Finale at the Ukiah-Mendo Gravel Epic. Junior competing for the Overall Series MUST ride the short course for Low Gap, Huffmaster and King Ridge. At Ukiah Mendo Epic they will race the Mediano and at Jackson Forest will do one 25 mi. lap.
More info below under “How do I compete in the Grasshopper Junior Series”
Series Overall Podiums: We’re expanding to a Top 5 podium for overall series results for every category.
Event Podiums: Each event will now feature a Top 5 podium for Pro Men and Pro Women categories. Age groups are top 3. Short course podium for top 3 M/W Overall, not per age group. Also, U16 and 16-18 top 3 M/W.

Yes! It’s up to you. These aren’t your average events; they’re adventures that push your boundaries and inspire independence. Some riders push for their best finish, while others are there simply to enjoy some really cool places on two wheels. We have a podium for the top 3 finishers in all categories and cash prizes for the top 3 Pro M/W, but if you’re just in it for adventure and exploration, we say ride on.

Note: All Hopper routes are open and riders must obey all traffic laws and rules

Hoppers are what you make of them. Riders are welcome to simply join individual events, or test their mettle in the Series Overall Podium.

Series Overall Podium
The Series Overall Podium is calculated using a point system. Placing in each series event awards you points in the following manner:

1st place = 60 points
2nd place = 55 points
3rd place = 51 points
4th place = 48 points
5th place = 46 points
Each place after 5th earns one less point than the place above it (i.e., 6th place = 45 pts, 7th place = 44 pts, and so on).

Overall Points Leaders will be calculated by adding up place points in each event completed. Only your top 4 finishes will count towards your Overall Points. If you complete all 5 events in the series, your lowest result will be dropped.

Overall points are only awarded to those who complete the long course options at Low Gap, Huffmaster, King Ridge, Jackson Forest and Ukiah-Mendo Epic. For each event that has a long course option, riders competing for the overall series podium MUST ride the long course.

In order to be eligible for the Series Overall Podium, (aka “Hopper Super Hero King, Queen and Rider of the Universe”), riders must contest King Ridge, the series finale, on May 10.

Overall winners for all categories will win a free Series Pass entry into next year’s Grasshopper Adventure Series.

Junior Series

The Grasshopper Junior Series gives young riders the chance to experience the challenge, adventure, and camaraderie of the Grasshopper events in a fun, supportive, and competitive environment.

Race Format:

Juniors will compete on the Short Course at all events, except for the Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic, where they’ll race the Medium Course.
To qualify for overall series standings, riders must complete at least 3 out of the 5 series events and be present at the series finale, the Ukiah Mendo Epic.
Junior riders who race 4 or 5 races, the top 3 finishes will be scored.
Juniors may choose to race U19 long courses in any Grasshopper but these results will NOT count towards the Junior Overall Series Awards.

Age Categories:

Men’s U16 (Under 16)
Women’s U16 (Under 16)
Men’s 16–18
Women’s 16–18

Series Scoring & Awards:

Series points are based on each rider’s results at their eligible events.
The best 3 results will count toward the overall Junior Series standings.
Overall podiums will be awarded for each of the four age categories at the conclusion of the Ukiah Mendo Epic.

How to Register:

Junior riders can select their appropriate Junior Category during registration.
All junior participants must have a parent or guardian sign the event waiver.

The Junior Series is all about exploration, growth, and fun on the bike. Whether it’s your first Grasshopper or you’re chasing a series podium, you’ll be part of an incredible community of young riders pushing limits and having a blast.

Team Competition Rules
For the 2026 Grasshopper Adventure Series, riders can compete together in the Team Classification for each event and the overall series standings.

Team Requirements

Each team must have at least 5 riders
At least 2 riders must be women
Teams can have more than 5 riders, but only the top 5 finishers at each event will score, and those 5 must include at least 2 women
Teams do not need to be USAC registered. You can grab five friends and call it a team, or use your official team name if you already have one
Teams must be created ahead of race day, but riders may still be added to an existing team at day-of registration

Valid Scoring Example
2 men + 1 nonbinary + 2 women

Scoring

Team points are based on individual event results
1st place = 60 points
2nd place = 55 points
3rd place = 51 points
4th place = 48 points
5th place = 46 points
Each place after 5th earns one less point than the place above it (i.e., 6th place = 45 pts, 7th place = 44 pts, and so on).
Only the top 5 finishers from each team contribute to that event’s score, with a minimum of 2 women included
If a team does not have a minimum of 5 finishers and meet the above requirements they will not score points.
Teams must compete in at least 4 events and attend the finale Ukiah Mendo Epic to qualify for the overall team standings
All Long Course categories are eligible to contribute to team scoring

Team Setup at Events
Each event will include a designated Team Zone where teams can set up tents, banners, and a home base. This is your spot to gather, support your riders, and bring your team’s vibe to the day.

Only teams with 5 or more registered riders will have designated tent space.

How to Register a Team

The team captain should create the team during registration
Once created, teammates can select the team name from the drop-down menu when they register
Riders must enter the same exact team name for scoring to be accurate
Teams planning to register together can contact us via the website contact form ahead of time to receive a small team discount code

Teams add camaraderie, friendly rivalry, and extra energy to every Grasshopper. Rally your crew and let’s ride.

Entries to an individual events may be transferred to another rider via Movemint for a fee of $10 ahead of the event or $20 the day of the event.

How to transfer your registration

Riders who purchase the a Series Pass may not sell or transfer their entries to other riders for individual Hoppers.

If the event is not sold out, a day-of registration will be available at packet pickup. The day-of registration fee is the event registration cost +$20.

Registration for the Series Pass opens Nov. 1st 2025 and closes on January 21, 2026.
Nov. 1 - December 1, 2025: Series Passes are $650 for all five races. That’s $200 off!

Dec. 1 - January 23, 2026: Series Passes prices go up to $700 for all five races. $150 savings.

The first 100 riders to register in any category will receive these special perks from our sponsors:

A custom number plate and pre-assigned race number for the entire series
Express check-in line at every event
20% off Maurten gels
A bag of Black Oak Coffee to kick things off right
A special piece of Hopper memorabilia, received at Low Gap

Register Here

Series pass riders may NOT transfer their individual entries to other riders.

Don’t Cross the Yellow Line

Stay in your lane! We have a permit to use the road, but that doesn’t exempt us from following traffic laws. No crossing the yellow line—otherwise known as the middle of the road!—even if the group swells or the pace slows. If there’s no yellow line, stay to the right.

All riders must obey the rules of the road.

Don’t Ride or Pass Aggressively

Grasshopper Adventure Series events are designed to challenge you. We've curated these routes with just the right balance of NorCal’s finest winding backroads, gravel paths, and dirt tracks. This is about adventure and camaraderie, but it also inspires independence. Not sure about your fitness, ability, or familiarity with the course? Here are some tips:

1. Pace yourself. Smooth before fast.
2. Study the course ahead of time, including the map, elevation, and terrain.
3. Bring essentials: extra tubes, tire boots, CO2 and a pump, food, water, warm clothes, a course map or GPS, space blanket, and a good-luck charm.
4. Make new friends, especially locals—they know the roads.

Obey traffic laws. The course is open, marked, and, where possible, pre-riding is encouraged.

SAG and Emergencies Only

We’ll have an EMT and SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles for injuries only. If you’re tired or cramping, you’ll need to make your own way back. Carry tubes, a pump (not just CO2), chain tools, and cash for food stops if needed. Water, hydration and snacks will be available at two rest stops, but bring your own extra fuel.

No Personal Support Vehicles

No personal SAG or follow vehicles allowed. We need to limit cars on the road. If you'd like to volunteer on the course to see what it’s all about, let us know. Volunteers earn entry to a future Grasshopper event.

No E-Bikes or Aero Bars*

If you drop out mid-course, have a friend notify us at the finish.

Lunch and cold drinks await all finishers!

Questions? Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Categories and Podium

Categories:

Male: Pro, U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Female: Pro, U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Non Binary

Podium:
Long Course:
Top 5 Pro Men/Women $500/300/200/150/100
Top 3 Men/Women age groups and Non-Binary
Short Course:
Top 3 Overall Men/Women
U16 and 16-18 Junior M/W

Hoppers are more than just rides; they’re community events.

Financial Support to Non-Profits:
A portion of each registration is donated to a variety of nonprofits working to improve lives and the communities where Hoppers are held. Organizations receiving financial support from the 2026 Hoppers include the NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League, Monarch Racing Team, Redwood Trails Alliance, Adventure Therapy Foundation, Be Good Foundation, Redwood Forest Foundation, Small Monsters Project and various high school mountain bike teams who will be helping with event rest stops.

Local Businesses:
We partner with local companies to bolster our community and bring the best of NorCal to you.

NICA Teams

Local NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) teams actively participate in our events by organizing bike washes and other fundraising activities to support their programs. They also help staff some of our feed zones, for which we provide a donation to support their teams.

A crazy hard, super fun adventure with a bunch of your new and old cycling buddies.
Feed zones with Skratch and GU Energy hydration & nutrition.
Awesome prizes at the finish from our generous sponsors.
Event timing and results.
Hot Coffee and fresh baked pastries from Black Oak Coffee Roasters on the morning of each event.
Delicious lunch, cold Guayaki and Best Day Brewing beer at the finish.
Podiums for Top 5 Pro M/W. Top 3 all Categories long courses, and for Top 3 M/F/NB Overall short courses.
Cash prizes for Top 5 Pro Male/Female Overall.
Emergency Medical Support en route.
Unforgettable stories of adventure.
Free Event Photos from FinisherPix.

UKIAH MENDO GRAVEL EPIC

May 24th, 2026

Grasshopper Adventure Series

Discover Events in the Series:

Low Gap

Huffmaster

King Ridge

Jackson Forest

Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic

Grasshopper Adventure Series

Discover Events in the 2026 Series: Registration is Open!

Low Gap

Huffmaster

King Ridge

Jackson Forest