Mooswa Meat Grinder
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. Our courses will take you into the Little Saskatchewan River Valley so that you can enjoy the scenery, gravel and climbs.
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About
The courses are mostly the same as last year, with a few minor changes, and one big change - we're going in the opposite direction!
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​​​​There are 3 courses that make up the 2026 Mooswa Meat Grinder - 120, 80 & 40 km.
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The 120 km course will take you 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.
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The 80 km course will be take you to Little Saskatchewan River Valley, just like our first year.
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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 just ride? Get a bunch of friends and ride it at "Party Pace" and enjoy the scenery!
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This year, we've also added a 2km Family Fun Ride to encourage local kids (and their parents) to come out and be part of the fun that makes up the Mooswa Meat Grinder.
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Whichever distance you choose, come out and join in the fun!
Adventure awaits!
Courses
Take your pick, we've got 3 different courses to challenge you. Pick something that matches your skill level, or push yourself, and try something more challenging.
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
The 80 km course is intended for riders looking to challenge themselves and take on something harder than the 40 km course and also looking for some adventure in the climbs and descents of the Little Saskatchewan River Valley.
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.
Details
Race Organizer:
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Robert Helms - MooswaMeatGrinder@gmail.com
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Race Formats:
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Mass starts with Neutral Roll-Outs through Erickson.​
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Driving Directions:
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Erickson is located on PTH 10, 90 kms north of Brandon, 20 kms south of RMNP.
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Registration:
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Online registration is encouraged, recommended and available at Zone4.
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Mooswa Meat Grinder 2026 Registration ($40)
closes Friday July 24th at 11:00pm
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MCA Race Licenses will not be required for any riders.​
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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.
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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.
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All riders must Sign-In in order to get their race number plates.
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Date & Times:
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All races take place on July 25, 2026.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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).
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Categories:
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40/80/120 km Male
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40/80/120 km Female
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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! ​
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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.
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​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.
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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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We will be riding on public roads, please obey the rules of the road.
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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!
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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.
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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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