VERDICT Fifty-three miles, roughly 6,690 feet, and no traffic control.
A training plan for West Coast Gravel—shaped to your fitness and the hours you have.
A steep Sunday run from the Pacific into Siuslaw National Forest.
A Viking-themed second day of the organizer's Oregon Coast gravel weekend, pairing the 53-mile Erik the Red route with the shorter 32-mile Leif Erikson option. By Mudslinger Events.
Reputation: A steep Oregon Triple Crown stop with a scenic coastal setting and unusually consequential climbing for its distance.
A paved rollout from Yachats leads to a remote timed start, a sustained forest climb, rolling gravel, and a fast open-road return. Timing ends one mile before Yachats for safety.
Signature challenge: Managing roughly 6,690 feet of climbing in only 53 miles while preserving handling and attention for loose corners, potholes, and the uncontrolled public-road return.
Right off the bat, you're on to the main climb of the day, a total of almost 1,900 ft over the first 10 miles or so. From there, it's a long and mainly downhill gravel ride down to Yachats River Road and a flat paved 9 miles or so to the end of the time section.
Chip Weinert · 278 views
All of you at 2.8 miles from here have to make that left-hand death turn. It's a 55 with a corner. The traffic's coming at you is on the KP turnoff. It's not even marked. Yachats fire department's going to be at the corner there in case any of you guys decides to be a hood ornament.
Decently Fit Dad · 30 views
There were about 200 racers who started the day and by the time we were a couple of miles into the first climb, we were all strung out across the mountain side. It was a gorgeous morning and the scenery made the relentless climb just a little bit more pleasant.
Chip Weinert · 278 views
There were about 200 racers who started the day and by the time we were a couple of miles into the first climb, we were all strung out across the mountain side.
Chip Weinert · 278 views
12-week training timeline, race-day checklists, packing list, and personalized fueling calculator — unlocked instantly.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Favorable weather in roughly three quarters of past editions but explicitly warn riders to bring rain gear for the Oregon Coast. Moving to late April does not remove the spring rain, wind, and temperature variability that riders must prepare for.[2]
Packet pickup ends at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 AM start, creating stress for mechanical issues. The course traverses a "high-traffic 55MPH zone on Yachats River Rd" with no traffic control, prompting organizers to recommend taillights. Ham radio operators provide emergency communication through Siuslaw National Forest valleys.[2]
The course delivers "ocean waves and ribbons of gravel" through Siuslaw National Forest on routes that have "seldom seen a bike tire." Navigation warnings emphasize GPS devices and self-reliance through remote forest terrain. The transition from coastal Yachats to inland backcountry creates diverse exploration opportunities.[1]
West Coast Gravel sits as "Round #4 of the Oregon Triple Crown," a regional series with limited reach beyond Pacific Northwest gravel circles. No notable pro presence or national coverage elevates the event beyond local weekend warrior racing.[2]
Yes if you want a compact climbing race on the Oregon Coast and are comfortable racing on open roads; skip it if protected-road logistics are non-negotiable.
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.