The Mooswa Meat Grinder is a gravel bike race in the Manitoba Parklands. It starts and finishes in Erickson, Manitoba, just south of Riding Mountain National Park. Like our first year, we are heading back to the Little Saskatchewan River Valley for it's beauty, gravel and climbs.
The safety of all participants has always been a priority for organizing and running the Mooswa Meat Grinder. With 200 km and 160 km courses in previous it has been challenging to ensure everyone's safety with our resources spread thin over a large geographical area. To help ensure our ability react quickly enough should there be an incident that requires immediate medical attention, changes have been made to better manage the safety aspect of the race. Unfortunately, that means that a 200 km or 160 km course presents difficulties and the decision was made to reduce the longest course to 120 kms.
There are 3 courses that make up the 2025 Mooswa Meat Grinder - 120, 80 & 40 km.
The 120 km course will be taking you back to the Little Saskatchewan River Valley. It's not quite the gorges of the East Escarpment, but there'll still be climbs to challenge you.
The 80 km course will be taking you back to Little Saskatchewan River Valley, just like our first year.
The 40 km course has been slightly changed from last year, and is intended to be an introduction to both gravel and the Parklands. New to gravel? This is the perfect opportunity to try it out! Don't want to race, but would rather ride? Get a bunch of friends and ride it at "Party Pace"!
This year, we've also added a 2km Family Fun Ride. Hopefully, this will encourage local kids (and their parents) to come out and be part of the fun that makes up the Mooswa Meat Grinder.
Whichever distance you choose, come out and join in the fun!
Unleash Your Adventure
click on the map for GPX file
The 40 km course will give you an introduction to a small section of the Trans Canada Trail and gravel roads in the Erickson area. Take it easy, enjoy the scenery, and have an enjoyable ride.
click on the map for GPX file
The 80 km course is intended for riders looking to challenge themselves and take on something harder than the 40 course and also looking for some adventure in the climbs and descents of the Little Saskatchewan River Valley.
click on the map for GPX file
The 120 km course is intended for experienced riders who are looking for challenging climbs and descents, and need something more challenging than the 80 km course.
RACE BIBLE
Race Organizer:
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Robert Helms - MooswaMeatGrinder@gmail.com
Race Formats:
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Mass starts with Neutral Roll-Outs through Erickson.
Driving Directions:
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Erickson is located on PTH 10, 90 kms north of Brandon, 20 kms south of RMNP.
Registration:
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Online registration is encouraged, recommended and available at Zone4.
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Mooswa Meat Grinder 2025 Registration ($35)
(update: issues with registration link have been fixed)
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closes Friday July 25th at 11:00pm
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No MCA Race Licenses will be required for any riders.
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Don't worry, we've got you got you covered through the Canadian Adventure Racing Association!
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Choose which distance (40, 80, 120) you want to race in.
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Walk-up registrations will be accepted, but early registration is encouraged.
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Walk-up Registrations (day of event): $50 (cash or EFT)
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The 2km Family Fun Ride is FREE event, but all participants must sign a waiver.
Race Day Sign-In
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Erickson has added an new shelter at the Start/Finish area.
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Look for us there for Race Day Registration/Sign-In.
Date & Times:
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All races take place on July 26, 2025.
120 km Race
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7:30 Registration/Sign-In Opens
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7:45 Call-Ups
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8:00 Start
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Neutral Roll-Out will be used to get all racers started.
80 km Race
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9:15 Call-Ups
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9:30 Start
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Neutral Roll-Out will be used to get all racers started.
40 km Ride
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10:30 Registration/Sign-In Closes
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10:45 Call-Ups
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11:00 Start
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Neutral Roll-Out will be used to get all riders started.
2 km Family Fun Ride
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11:00 Registration/Sign-In Closes
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11:30 Call-Ups
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11:45 Start
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Neutral Roll-Out will be used to get all riders started.
Start/Finish:
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**NEW **
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All races will start and finish at the Viking Ship at the end of Main Street. Parking will be available along Railway Avenue, and also at the Erickson Rec Centre (where we've started in previous years).
Categories:
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40/80/120 km Male
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40/80/120 km Female
Awards:
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Prizes will be given to the top 3 finishers in each category once all races have finished.
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Prizing amounts will be based upon total number of registrations - more registrations - more prizes!
Race Regulations:
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All racers bikes must operate a bicycle with both front and rear working brakes.
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All racers will be given a race number plate at registration. These numbers need to affixed to the handlebars for identification during the race.
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All racers must wear a CSA approved helmet while riding on-course and off-course.
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Riders shall act and race with caution and respect for their fellow racers. They shall be held responsible for any accidents that they cause.
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A racer must act in a sporting manner at all times and shall permit any faster rider to overtake without obstructing.
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The organizer and/or officials retains the full right to refuse any rider from racing.
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E-Bikes are welcome, under specific conditions:
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must be pedal-assisted.
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if it cannot be pedalled for locomotion, then it is not permitted.
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E-Bikes will not be eligible for any prizing.
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No Surrons, or similar e-motos will be permitted.
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Navigation:
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A GPS device (Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) is highly recommended.
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Course will be marked with Turn Arrows.
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Paper Maps or Turn-By-Turn Directions (strip maps) will not be provided.
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GPX for 40 km:
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GPX for 80 km:
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GPX for 120 km:
Parking:
Parking is available along Railway Ave. near the Start/Finish lines. Please park south of Main St. so that we can use Railway Ave. as our starting grid.
There is also ample parking at the Erickson Recreation Centre, 29 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Erickson MB R0J 0P0.
Water & Supplies:
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Aid Stations will be setup on the 40, 80 & 120 km courses.
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No caching of water or supplies on the course is permitted.
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No outside assistance other than at the identified Aid Stations.
Courtesy and Safety:
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This is not a closed course - the course is open and the public can access the course at any point.
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Keep your head up at all times.
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Be courteous to others.
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You are responsible for you!
Washrooms:
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Washrooms will be available at the Erickson Campground, next to the Recreation Centre, as well as Porta-Potties at the Recreation Centre.
Wildlife:
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This is Bear Country.
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Do not be surprised if you encounter Black Bears.
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Despite what you think, they are more afraid of you than you are of them.
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Also expect to see Turkey Buzzards, Foxes, Hawks and Eagles.
CAPTURE THE MOMENT
MERCHANDISE
Need something to comemorate the Mooswa Meat Grinder?
Good news - we've got Mooswa Meat Grinder t-shirts!
A limited number of medium, large & extra large will be available on race day.
Cost is only $25.
Don't want to be left out?
You can pre-order by sending an email to MooswaMeatGrinder@gmail.com
