A paved rollout from Bend feeds a long forest-road climb toward Wanoga, followed by a fast and sometimes very loose descent, smaller rough-road hazards, and a controlled return to the Athletic Club of Bend.[2]
Course Profile
Editorial verdict
A 55-mile Central Oregon climber with loose forest roads and an actual party at the finish.[7]
Source Weekly reported that Bend Dirt Fest launched in 2025 as a successor to the Oregon 24 relay, combining trail running, gravel, and mountain biking to preserve that event's community-focused dirt festival atmosphere. Founded in 2025. By Mike Ripley and Mudslinger Events.
Reputation: A young but quickly growing Central Oregon regional race backed by an experienced local endurance-event organizer.
The inaugural 2025 edition combined three dirt disciplines at the Athletic Club of Bend
The 2026 OBRA results list 121 gravel entries across long and short categories
The 2027 edition serves as the Oregon Triple Crown Gravel Series final
[03]
The Course
A paved rollout from Bend feeds a long forest-road climb toward Wanoga, followed by a fast and sometimes very loose descent, smaller rough-road hazards, and a controlled return to the Athletic Club of Bend.
Signature challenge: Climbing from roughly 3,700 feet to 5,608 feet, then preserving speed and judgment through a loose second-half descent.
5
MILE
Forest Road Commitment
The route leaves the paved rollout for Forest Road 41 and begins the long gain toward Wanoga; starting too hard turns the high point into a debt collection.
24
MILE
Wanoga High Point
The course reaches roughly 5,608 feet after climbing almost 1,900 vertical feet from Bend, with hydration and cutoff execution already in play.
35
MILE
Loose Return
The organizer warns that the descent is very loose in places; chucker holes and other gotcha moments continue near mile 40.
[04]
From the Field
The gravel 55 miles ... all the cycling events will take off at 8:15.
BackyardBend · 468 views
BackyardBend · 468 views · 2:08
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[07]
Training
July 10, 2027 BEND DIRT FEST
[08]
Train for Bend Dirt Fest
RACE DEMAND PROFILE
Durability
2
Climbing
5
VO2 Power
5
Threshold
6
Technical
6
Heat
1
Altitude
4
Race Specificity
9
3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE
Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Bend Dirt Fest’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.
Gravel SpecificSurge and Settle
1hr+
Explosive surges into tempo settling — the signature gravel-specific workout.
Bend Dirt Fest's High desert gravel roads, Volcanic cinder/dirt surface forces constant power changes. Surge over the rough stuff, settle on the smooth, repeat for 54 miles.
EXECUTIONOut of the saddle for every surge — explosive, violent power. Then immediately drop to tempo and SETTLE. Smooth your breathing. Recover while still working. This is what gravel racing IS: attack the rock garden, settle on the straight, attack the climb, settle on the descent. Over and over.
POSITIONStanding for surges | Seated in drops for settle
RPESurges: 9–10 | Settle: 5–6
RACE-SPECIFIC: BEND DIRT FEST
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Bend Dirt Fest’s 54 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Moderate altitude at Bend Dirt Fest. Arrive 2–3 days early. Reduce intensity expectations by 5–10%. Hydrate aggressively.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Bend Dirt Fest requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on high desert gravel to build confidence. Expect: high desert gravel roads, volcanic cinder/dirt surface, oregon volcanic landscape.
Race SimulationSector Simulation
1.5hr+
Timed race sectors with transitions — practice racing in segments, not just riding.
Race-pace efforts that mimic Bend Dirt Fest's demands. Pacing, fueling, and tactical decisions under fatigue. Practice the race before July.
WU 10m
SECTOR 1 12m
TRANSIT
SECTOR 2 6m
TRANSIT
SECTOR 3 12m
TRANSIT
SECTOR 4 6m
TRANSIT
FINAL 8m
CD
STRUCTURE10min warm-up → 5 sectors (12-6-12-6-8min) at race pace / 4min transit between → cool-down
EXECUTIONEach sector is a race within the race. Sector 1: settle into race pace. Sector 2: short, hard — a hill or technical section. Sector 3: sustained power. Sector 4: another hard punch. Final sector: everything you have left. The transits are active recovery — drink, eat, prepare for the next sector.
POSITIONRace position on sectors. Sit up and eat during transits.
RPELong sectors: 7–8 | Short sectors: 8–9 | Transits: 3
RACE-SPECIFIC: BEND DIRT FEST
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Bend Dirt Fest’s 54 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Moderate altitude at Bend Dirt Fest. Arrive 2–3 days early. Reduce intensity expectations by 5–10%. Hydrate aggressively.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Bend Dirt Fest requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on high desert gravel to build confidence. Expect: high desert gravel roads, volcanic cinder/dirt surface, oregon volcanic landscape.
TT ThresholdDescending Threshold
1hr+
20-15-10-5 minute threshold blocks with descending duration — intensity through fatigue.
70ft/mi means long efforts at or near FTP on every climb. If your threshold cracks at minute 15, you'll walk the rest.
EXECUTIONThe intervals get shorter but harder. By the 5-minute block, you’re above FTP on tired legs — this is the finish-line effort. The decreasing rest (5-4-3 min) compounds the fatigue. If you can hold the 5-minute block, you’re race-ready.
POSITIONSeated. Drops for the final 10min and 5min blocks.
RPE20min: 7 | 15min: 7–8 | 10min: 8 | 5min: 9
RACE-SPECIFIC: BEND DIRT FEST
NUTRITION Target 40–60g carbs/hour for Bend Dirt Fest’s 54 miles. Front-load calories in the first half. One bottle per hour minimum, more in heat.
ALTITUDE Moderate altitude at Bend Dirt Fest. Arrive 2–3 days early. Reduce intensity expectations by 5–10%. Hydrate aggressively.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Bend Dirt Fest requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on high desert gravel to build confidence. Expect: high desert gravel roads, volcanic cinder/dirt surface, oregon volcanic landscape.
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Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is 15 miles north of Bend; the organizer lists Portland at roughly three hours by car
Lodging
Book west-side Bend lodging early. The organizer recommends the Peppertree Inn across from the venue; staying nearby avoids race-morning cross-town traffic.
Food
Bend has full grocery and restaurant options. Carry enough fluid for a dry first half and use the hydration and full-aid stops rather than relying on outside support, which is prohibited.
Packet Pickup
Friday 2:00-6:00 PM at Pine Mountain Sports, or Saturday at the Athletic Club of Bend from 6:00 AM until 30 minutes before the start
Parking
Participant parking is at OSU-Cascades, 1500 SW Chandler Avenue; no participant parking at the Athletic Club of Bend
NOAA's July normal is an 83.8°F daily maximum, while the guide warns about full sun, heat, dehydration, and fine dust. That is a moderate race-day challenge rather than an automatic extreme.[9]
How are the logistics for Bend Dirt Fest?
+
Bend has a regional airport 15 miles away, abundant lodging, one start venue, and organized OSU-Cascades parking. Destination travel and the lack of participant parking at the venue still require moderate planning.[2]
How adventurous is Bend Dirt Fest?
+
Forest roads, a sustained climb toward Wanoga, a loose return, and three dirt disciplines sharing one venue make the day memorable without turning a regional race into a bucket-list expedition.[1]
How prestigious is Bend Dirt Fest?
+
Oregon Triple Crown final status creates meaningful regional significance, but a race founded in 2025 has not established national stature.[7]
Should I race Bend Dirt Fest?
+
Yes if you want a hard but manageable climbing race in Bend and value atmosphere as much as a giant field. Travelers chasing prestige alone have stronger national targets.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
