Our Story
Our raison d'être
Dirt Fest by YFC GRVL is New Brunswick's first and only gravel race. Hosted out of Crabbe Mountain, the routes will take participants through valleys and peaks with incredible views of the region. Dirt Fest was founded by YFC GRVL (a local cycling collective based in Fredericton, NB) out of a desire to build community in the gravel cycling scene and provide opportunities for riders to push themselves, regardless of what that means for them. A true labour of love, it aims to provide riders with opportunities to connect, push themselves, and have a damn good time. This is more than a gravel race, it's a huge party that celebrates community. Get ready for 3 days of fun, 1 day of racing (at your own pace), and a lifetime of memories and connections.
Meet our founders below! If you're spending some time in the region before or after Dirt Fest, give them a shout. You might be able to catch them on a YFC GRVL club ride. We'll see you on the mountain from September 19 to 21, 2025!
Zach is the co-founder of YFC GRVL and a gravel cyclist to his core. With over 10 years of experience working in bike shops, he has dedicated his life to his passion - bikes. Whether it's riding them, fixing them, or talking about them, he loves it all. His passion for the sport runs so deep that he wanted to find more ways to share it with others, resulting in YFC GRVL and Dirt Fest. From planning epic routes for our event to co-leading YFC GRVL’s community rides, he's become a lot of people's go-to resource for route planning. Whether he’s exploring backroads or swapping stories over a beer at the end of a ride, Zach’s love for gravel is contagious.
Chloe is the co-founder of YFC GRVL and the creative force behind Dirt Fest’s event planning and marketing. With a background in marketing, outdoor recreation and tourism, she has a passion for growing the gravel cycling scene on the East Coast. She’s especially driven to grow diversity in the sport by building a community that thrives on good times, fresh air, a little bit of dirt and a whole lot of grit. She co-leads YFC GRVL's group rides, including the monthly womxn's ride. You can usually find her with our party pacers (yes, they have way more fun back there!). For Chloe, cycling is about community and wellness first.
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