Created as America's answer to European multi-day stage races. The format brings Grand Tour vibes to gravel, with towns hosting different stages and riders progressing through Oregon's spectacular landscapes. Founded in 2015. By Breakaway Promotions.
Reputation: The gravel Grand Tour. Where one-day races feel limiting.
Pioneered the multi-day gravel stage race format in America
Pioneered multi-day gravel stage racing format in the US
Known for spectacular course variety across stages
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The Course
Photo: YouTube / Path Less PedaledPhoto: YouTube / Path Less Pedaled
Five distinct stages showcasing Oregon's diversity—high desert, forests, mountains, and everything between.
Signature challenge: The cumulative nature. Any single stage is manageable. Five consecutive days of 60-80+ miles with major climbing is a different animal.
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MILE
Opening Salvo
60+ miles to set the tone. Fresh legs meet Oregon reality.
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MILE
The Queen Stage
The longest, hardest day. Where GC hopes live or die.
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MILE
Final Test
Tired bodies, one more day. Celebrate or suffer to the end.
RIDERS REPORT
Golf ball-sized gravel is not uncommon on northern Vancouver Island routes, though the route remains 100% rideable.
Some tracks in southern Spain are steep and crumbly with hike bikes that aren't too infrequent.
The majority of gravel roads are graded and maintained on Vancouver Island's forest service roads.
[04]
From the Field
Total distance from our apartment about five miles to the campground so for the awesome actually have not gone bike packing feeds bike just trading on dirty Kansa so the nice change.
Path Less Pedaled · 75.5K views
The Jones H-bar allows you to slide further to the back so if I'm going down a steep hill I can shift my weight way to the back and put the front wheel out in front and get behind it and make it down the Steep Hill without endo.
Jones Bikes · 162.1K views
RACER
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Training
July 7, 2027 OREGON TRAIL GRAVEL GRINDER
RIDERS REPORT
For southern Spain's challenging terrain, Logan recommends rolling nothing smaller than a two-inch tire.
For Vancouver Island's Tree to Sea Loop, Miles suggests a gravel bike with at least 45 millimeter tires, but a hardtail with both rigid or suspension fork is not overkill.
The Jones H-bar comes in 710mm and 660mm widths. The 710mm allows you to slide all the way up and sit upright, while the 660mm puts you right at the back of the bar in rear control position.
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Train for Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder
RACE DEMAND PROFILE
Durability
10
Climbing
10
VO2 Power
7
Threshold
5
Technical
6
Heat
1
Altitude
8
Race Specificity
10
3 WORKOUTS BUILT FOR THIS RACE
Each workout below is selected from our archetype library based on Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder’s specific demands. Click any workout to see the full execution protocol.
DurabilityDouble Day Simulation
2hr (AM+PM)+
Two sessions in one day — AM endurance, PM intensity. Trains the double-day fatigue of multi-day events.
375 miles. Your legs will beg to quit after 120. This trains the power output you need from mile 130 onward.
EXECUTIONThe AM ride loads fatigue. The PM session tests your ability to produce quality power on pre-stressed legs. This is what stage racing and back-to-back hard days feel like. Don’t skip the AM ride — that’s the whole point.
CADENCEAM: 85–90rpm easy | PM: 85–95rpm on intervals
POSITIONAM: comfortable, any position | PM: race position for intervals
RPEAM: 3–4 | PM intervals: 7–8
RACE-SPECIFIC: OREGON TRAIL GRAVEL GRINDER
NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 375 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 375 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.
ALTITUDE Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder with 35,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. High-altitude sun exposure.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on high desert and forest service gravel across central oregon to build confidence. Expect: high desert gravel, forest service roads, mountain passes.
VO2maxNorwegian 4x8
1.25hr+
4×8min at VO2max intensity — the Norwegian method pushed to aerobic ceiling.
35,000ft of climbing means repeated surges above threshold. VO2max work is how you survive the fifth climb, not just the first.
EXECUTIONLonger VO2 intervals demand pacing. Don’t start at 120% and crater at minute 4. Hold steady at your 8-minute maximum sustainable intensity. Breathing should be maximal but controlled. If you can’t finish set 4, your target was too high.
POSITIONSeated in drops. Aero position for final 2 minutes of each set if possible.
RPESets 1–2: 8 | Sets 3–4: 9
RACE-SPECIFIC: OREGON TRAIL GRAVEL GRINDER
NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 375 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 375 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.
ALTITUDE Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder with 35,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. High-altitude sun exposure.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on high desert and forest service gravel across central oregon to build confidence. Expect: high desert gravel, forest service roads, mountain passes.
EnduranceTerrain Simulation Z2
2hr+
Zone 2 with rolling terrain simulation — undulating power that builds fat oxidation.
Every hard session works better with a bigger aerobic base. At 375 miles, base fitness is the difference between racing and surviving.
EXECUTIONStay in Zone 2 the entire time, but undulate your power to simulate rolling terrain. The rises push the top of Z2; the valleys ease off. This builds terrain-responsive pacing without leaving the aerobic zone. Your body learns to modulate power without thinking.
POWERRises: 72–78% FTP | Valleys: 62–68% FTP | All within Zone 2
CADENCERises: 80–85rpm | Valleys: 88–92rpm
POSITIONAlternate: hoods on rises, drops on flats. Build position endurance.
RPE3–4 throughout — never hard, but never mindless
RACE-SPECIFIC: OREGON TRAIL GRAVEL GRINDER
NUTRITION Ultra-distance fueling for 375 miles: 80–100g carbs/hour from mile 1 — don’t wait until you’re hungry. Practice your exact race-day nutrition in every long training ride. Carry backup calories. 375 miles burns 8,000–12,000+ calories — you cannot replace them all, but you must try.
ALTITUDE Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder with 35,000ft of climbing, much of it above 8,000ft demands altitude preparation. Arrive 5–7 days early for acclimatization. Expect 5–15% power reduction at altitude. Increase iron intake 4 weeks out. Hydrate aggressively — altitude increases fluid loss by 20–40%. High-altitude sun exposure.
TERRAIN Mixed terrain at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder requires surface adaptability. Include weekly rides on high desert and forest service gravel across central oregon to build confidence. Expect: high desert gravel, forest service roads, mountain passes.
FREE
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12-week training timeline, race-day checklists, packing list, and personalized fueling calculator — unlocked instantly.
high puncture protection for sharp surfaces. excellent wet grip
3
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M
40mm · $74 · 34W
high puncture protection for sharp surfaces
FRONT/REAR SPLITVittoria Terreno Dry 40mm / Specialized Pathfinder Pro 42mmFaster front for reduced rolling resistance on straights, grippier rear for traction on loose climbs and corners
What is the climate like at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder?
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July in Central Oregon means hot, dry conditions with intense sun and potential afternoon winds. High desert climate is generally predictable - no mud years or weather disasters mentioned. The elevation changes from Bend to the Cascades create temperature swings, but nothing that derails the event regularly. Similar climate challenges to SBT GRVL.[1]
How are the logistics for Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder?
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Five towns, daily gear transport, and full camp setup across Central Oregon creates complexity, but Morgan Cabot notes 'the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder entry fee included camping and meals for the entire event.' Secured parking in Bend and packet pickup the day before shows organization, though managing logistics across multiple venues still creates potential failure points. "Delicious Catered Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Nightly Campsite Festivities. Post-Ride Massages (additional fee). Stocked Aid Stations. Fat Tire Celebration & Whiskey Bar."[1]
How adventurous is Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder?
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Five days of stage racing through Central Oregon's backcountry, sleeping in different towns each night, with full expedition support - this is proper adventure cycling. The route connects Bend, Gilchrist, Oakridge, and McKenzie Bridge across varied high desert and Cascade terrain. You're not just riding long, you're touring Oregon's gravel network with 90 other lunatics.[1]
How prestigious is Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder?
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A 5-day stage race through Central Oregon with only 90 spots total? That's exclusive enough to matter. The race sells out and runs a waitlist, which tells you something about its reputation. Part of the Oregon Gravel Grinder Series Triple Challenge, but it's not pulling the big names or media coverage that would push it to legendary status.[7]
Should I race Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder?
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Yes if you're ready for multi-day racing and want to experience gravel at its deepest. Not if you can't commit the time or prefer the intensity of one-day events.
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Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
Photo: YouTube / Path Less Pedaled
Photo: YouTube / Path Less Pedaled