-
![]()
300 miles of solitude
-
![]()
Never more than 40 miles from resupply
-
![]()
Experience OK's Cross Timbers eco region
-
![]()
starting and ending from District Bicycles in Stillwater OK
-
![]()
Route comprised of all historical Mid South event routes
-
![]()
Oklahoma like you've never seen it
FASTEST KNOWN TIMES
-
Maybe you If you’ve been to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a Midsouth experience, you know. If you’ve never been, you have no reason not to. Come for Midsouth in March, Mega Midsouth in September. Hell, come out for both, it’s the shit! I am very much a solo rider; I’m happiest on two wheels in the middle of nowhere, often slightly disoriented from lack of sleep, nutrition, hydration, or a healthy mix of all three. I was fortunate enough to attend Midsouth and ride the Mega Midsouth route in 2024, both for the first time. Though I am apprehensive about massive cycling events, Bobby and the Midsouth crew take care and create an approachable and inviting atmosphere, whether you’re the fastest, slowest, or midpackest rider.
I was lucky enough to extend my season to November, motivated by an FKT attempt on the ultra-fresh Mega Midsouth Route on November 12th. Unfortunately, I missed the inaugural Grand Depart in September because I was fresh off another race, so this was the next best thing. My good friend Josh Bauer and I made the 11-hour trip down to Stillwater on Sunday, had a day of rest on Monday, and set out en route at 6:00 am on Tuesday accompanied by Bobby, Jarrod, and a couple of other locals for the first few miles.
We headed out at sunrise, and as Jarrod’s photos show, it was a fucking beaut! My goal was to keep my stops to less than an hour for the entire route. So, I kept ‘er in the saddle as long as possible without missing out on crucial resupplies. My two stops were in Guthrie at 96 miles and in Morrison at 200. Ascending and descending the expanses by single red clay ribbons cut out of the earth created a lasting connection between me, my bike, and the land. With 30 miles to go, anything that could go wrong did: Front tire puncture, bead unseated, snapped valve on TPU tube 1; valve extension issues, and a 15-minute downpour while installing TPU tube 2; a second 20-minute storm cell came through at mile 285 making the roads just wet enough to slow things down. I was aiming for a sub-20-hour finish, but given all the issues I encountered, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to ride the entire route and slightly beat the previous record. I cannot wait to return to re-attempt with more sunlight and better mechanical luck and to learn more about the rich history that permeates these red dirt roads.
– Nick Elliott, @Nickwithabike
excerpt from TheRadavist.com
-
Dave Easley, a local legend of endurance riding and heavy inspiration in the development of this route was the first Single Speeder to finish during the inagural grand depart with a time of 34 hours and 20 mins.
-
Theresa Bender was 1st place female on the inagural grand depart, completing the route in 30 hours and 5 minutes!
-
Completed on a Salsa Powderkeg during the inaugural grand depart 9-18-24. They really gave it the beans!
-
Justin Cary of Prosper TX was the first to complete the route during the inagural grand depart. He ran a geared rig with flat pedals.
-
BRITT DIDN’T QUIT! Hell yeah Britt!
MEGA LORE
This route was originally inspired from a passing comment from Dave Easley. In the summer of 2022 Dave was attempting a back to back ride of the 5 most recent Mid South 100 courses. Josh McCullock joined Dave for a bit of one of those rides and at some point in exhausted delirium, Dave mentioned linking together the outer perimeter of all the historical Mid South courses. The idea was planted, and over the next 2 years The Mid South didn’t let it go.
With help from Dr. Seth Wood and our friends at Ride with GPS, the course was cobbled together. All that was left was to ground truth the route. That process resulted in a 5 part documentary series you can watch below.
Once the route was finessed, we invited the community to come ride it!
The inaugural grand depart of this route happened on Sept 18th 2024, with the estimated completion coinciding with The Mid South 2025 registration party. The morning held great anticipation with 140 riders aboard their rigs for takeoff. The Oklahoma landscape held a bevy of challenges for these riders including high temps of 108 degrees, stifling humidity and even a deadly overnight thunder storm.
In the end, only 40 riders completed the 300 mile route earning them a hallowed place in the lore of Mega Mid South. We speak their names with reverence.
This series documents a wiley band of Oklahoma cyclists as they undertake the ground truthing of the first version of the Mega Mid South route.
The Mega Mid South is a stunning and challenging 300-mile gravel bikepacking loop that spans a long weekend or more, depending on your speed and fitness. The loop begins and ends at District Bicycles in Stillwater, Oklahoma, home of the iconic Mid South gravel event, and is the result of over 10 years of planning and route building for The Mid South. The course is designed to highlight the unique landscapes of Oklahoma, with picturesque farmland scenery and raucous gravel roads offering riders a rewarding challenge. The route guide includes carefully detailed logistics, beautiful photos, and info about the inaugural grand depart event.
— Bikepacking.com
-
Anytime! This route utilizes open roads. The route starts and ends from District Bicycles in downtown Stillwater so if you depart or return during business hours, we'll be sure to celebrate ya! If you complete the inaugural run on 9/18/24 you'll earn guaranteed entry to Mid South 2025!
-
Since the route utilizes our historical halfway point towns from past Mid South routes, there are C stores available roughly every 50 miles.
-
Using the Bikepacking .com difficulty rubric, we rate this route 6 of 10. With the relatively available resupply and camping placed along the loop, and approximately 55 ft of climbing per mile. Weather and road conditions will drastically affect this rating. If there is any rain in the forecast, much of the western side of the route will be impassable mud.
-
With downtown Stillwater under construction, our overnight parking is limited. We have approval from the City of Stillwater for Mega riders to park at Couch Park and Strickland Park while out on course. *Please leave the parking directly in front of the play areas open for daily use.
-
See the route on Ride with GPS for the camping details. If these distances don't suit your approach to the route, we suggest utilizing motels, Hipcamp or wild camping where appropriate.
Our camping areas utilize honor boxes for payment. Please be honest a bring a few dollars cash for each night you plan to camp. Liberty Lake near Guthrie has waved the tents per site limit for the night of 9/18, allowing Mega riders to share space. Make a friend, enjoy your neighbors and please respect the resource.
-
No support crews allowed.
If you need picked up from the route for any reason you must have your own bailout plan or SAG pickup.
No support, SAG, or pickups will be provided by The Mid South or District Bicycles.
-
Mega will be on Trackleaders! Riders can sign up here.
-
As with any Mid South route, these roads are ever changing. The route is 99.9% unpaved and the dirt will change with the weather conditions. We recommend a tire of at least 38mm setup tubeless. Our crew at District Bicycles will be able to get you dialed and suggest the right gear to give you the best chance to complete the route comfortably.
Don't underestimate your need for water. It's been a hot, hot summer here in OK and these roads will dry you out!
-
The Mega Mid South FKT: Nick Elliott’s Fastest Known Time
Jarrod Bunk was in attendance at a recent FKT attempt by two Angry Catfish team members, Nick Elliott and Josh Bauer on the Mega Mid South route in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Read on for a packed gallery with all the vibes, along with a fundraiser to get more riders out to the Mid South Gravel.
-
Love Letters Written in Red Dirt
Erik Mathy returned to Stillwater, OK for the inaugural Mega Mid South, a 300-mile gravel cycling endurance event hosted by Bobby Wintle and the team who bring the Mid South to life every year. Below, feast your eyes on a gallery full of Erik’s unique handmade images and enjoy quotes and prose from the Oklahomans who welcome these events into their communities. Without further ado… this is the Mega Mid South.
-
FINDING MAGIC AT THE INAUGURAL MEGA MID SOUTH
Nic Morales had never participated in a bike race and didn’t see the function of having someone else tell him how and where to ride his bike. Yet after years of hearing nothing but positive things about what went on in Stillwater, Oklahoma, he was drawn to their weirdest and newest event, Mega Mid South. In this piece, Nic dives into his journey across the Oklahoma plains and what exactly powers America’s most eclectic gravel event.
-
Hoping to Go to The Mid South Next Year? Here’s a ‘Mega’ Way to Get There
The Mega Mid South is a new bikepacking route based out of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Doing the grand départ in September guarantees you entry to the 2025 gravel race.
-
Open year round
The inaugural run of MEGA MID SOUTH was 9/18/24. Solo or group trips are encouraged year round!
-
$0.00
The Mega Mid South is completely free. RSVP below to let us know you’re going to give it a go.
-
Self supported
This is a 100% self supported ride. You are responsible for you own food, gear, lodging and safety.
