Outdoor rides at 6:30 PM! Tue and Thu road rides. Wed mountain bike rides.
About the Gorilla Century
History
Because of Covid the 2020 Gorilla Century has been pushed back to October 24th. We'll return to our normal Labor Day weekend
The Gorilla Century Bicycle Fun Ride has become a Pittsburg tradition held every year as part of the Little Balkans Festival events on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
The Gorilla Century began in 2003 to celebrate Pittsburg State University's 100th anniversary.
As the ride has grown it's settled on starting at Pittsburg High School to accommodate the large number of riders with plenty of parking, indoor bathrooms and post-ride showers.
Riders can choose from 38, 62 or 100 mile paved routes or a 62 mile gravel route.
This course features mostly flat, fast roads rolling through Cherokee and Crawford Counties past local sights like the awe inspiring Big Brutus Coal Shovel (world's 3rd largest).
More About the Gorilla Century Fun Ride
We want this to be your best ride
We want this to be your best ride
We want this to be your best ride
Marking the course
We're up at 1:00 AM marking the course with high viz signs! If we start before the bars close the drunks steal our signs.
Great SAG's with fun themes
Whether it's the North Pole Saloon with root beer floats, baked potatoes at the Last Stop SAG or one of our six other SAG's we have great helpers and an incredible selection of tasty treats. Pickles, peanut butter and all kinds of other traditional and unusual quick energy foods keep you riding strong.
Safety on the road
We want this to be your best ride
We want this to be your best ride
Safety on the road and comfort after
Roving SAG's are on the course to shuttle you in if you run out of energy. We'll make sure you get home safe even if you don't make it to the finish.
Every SAG is equipped with comfort items like Ibuprofen, eye drops, sun screen, first aid supplies and even feminine hygiene supplies for emergencies.
After the ride enjoy a refreshing shower (if Covid procedures allow) at Pittsburg High School then grab a delicious meal at one of the areas many restaurants.
Where does the money go?
We want this to be your best ride
Where does the money go?
Every year someone asks if we're raising money for a cause. We pay local civic and local youth groups to run our SAG's, help at registration, provide mobile SAG service and make the Gorilla Century possible.
The Gorilla Century is an important fundraiser for all these community organizations.
Where does the money go?
Pittsburg Little Balkans Day Festival
Pittsburg’s Little Balkans Days celebration is every Labor Day Weekend. Look for it to return better than ever in 2021!
Activities run all day Saturday and go well into the evening when riders can join the action for the downtown street dances & carnival. Friends and family can enjoy the live music, train rides, carnival rides, arts & crafts vendors, and a car show plus many more Saturday activities with lots more Sunday.
A full list of festival activities & times, as well as history of this event are available at littlebalkans.com or at their Facebook page.