Steve Tilford was a cyclist who refused to be defined by a single discipline. Over the course of his career, he competed in road racing, mountain biking, cyclocross, and gravel. The events that resonated most with him were not simply difficult, but distinctive. They had a clear sense of identity, brought piople together, and felt meaningful to those who took part.
The Steve Tilford Foundation Epic is built with those same values in mind. While the racing at the front is competitive, the event is open to anyone willing to challenge themselves. The course design intentionally brings riders back through Snake Farm Ranch multiple times throughout the day. This allows friends and family to remain connected to the race, see riders as the event unfolds, and offer encouragement that provides a tangible lift to those on course.
The Epic also serves as a fundraiser supporting the work of the Steve Tilford Foundation. This includes the Let’s Ride! program, which provides bicycles and helmets to second graders at Title I schools, helping remove one of the initial barriers to participation in cycling.
By lining up at the start, riders become part of this mission. Participation in the event is not only about racing, but about supporting practical, community-based efforts that expand access and create opportunities for young riders to get started.
The Venue:
Snake Farm RanchSnake Farm Ranch, located just north of Lawrence, Kansas, serves as the heart of the Steve Tilford Foundation Epic. The event begins and ends at the ranch, and much of the day’s activity remains centered there. The property combines gravel roads that extend into the surrounding countryside with singletrack trails purpose-built within the ranch itself, creating a cohesive and immersive venue.Each route returns through Snake Farm Ranch multiple times. Rather than sending riders off onto a single long course, the design brings them back in stages, allowing spectators, families, and volunteers to stay engaged throughout the day. This structure creates a shared experience, where the progression of the race is visible and riders benefit from repeated moments of encouragement as they pass through familiar ground.More than a start and finish location, Snake Farm Ranch functions as a gathering place that anchors the entire event, from the opening rollout to the final finishers.
In addition, a key initiative of The Steve Tilford Foundation is the Let’s Ride! program.
Let's Ride! is a school-based program that provides second graders at Title I schools with their very own bicycle and helmet. Our goal is simple: remove barriers to movement and empower kids with a tool that supports physical health, independence, and joy. This program is built to meet kids where they are, partner with their schools and communities, and make cycling accessible to every child—not just those who already have access to gear, safe spaces, or the means to participate. Every dollar moves us closer to our $100,000 goal to fully fund the Let’s Ride! bike give.
You may make a donation to the Let's Ride campaign through the following link:
https://www.stevetilfordfoundation.org/lets-ride/