Starting a general PNW race thread to discuss all things race (or big rides) in our region. I relocated to the Vancouver, WA area from Houston last fall so it’s been a big change of pace in riding.
This weekend I have my first gravel race up here - Gorge Gravel, in Dufur, OR. I’m doing the big course which is about 92 miles and 9000’. I’ve been battling knee issues the last 2.5 weeks so my volume and intensity are way down from what had been some best fitness numbers. Feeling better this week. Heading to Dufur with the family tomorrow (wife, kids 4 & 1.5). Fun weekend camping and festivities. Should be around 700-800 people at the race.
Following that I’m doing Cascade Gravel in Bend, OR, at the end of May.
Then the High Cascade 100 in Bend (100 mile mtb) in mid July.
Considering the Sisters Stampeded 50 mile mtb race in Bend in late September as well.
Curious what everyone else has planned. Seems to be a fair amount of good races in the region but not many of the bigger notable US races. Seems the most notable race is probably the 5 day stage race in Oregon.
I miss riding in the PDX/Vancouver area. The Columbia River Highway, Sauvie Island, Skyline Blvd, even just cruising a loop around North Portland and up to Vancouver Lake.
I’m further inland NW now. I’m planning on the Tour du Bloom in the Wenatchee area in mid-May and a couple of gravel races in and around Spokane throughout the summer (Climb for the Cure, the Grind, maybe some of the Panhandle Gravel series)
I am sincerely jealous of US and Canada gravel culture, race, routes and fondos. Nothing similar in Eastern Europe. Enjoy it.
The Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series has some terrific events and great unique courses!
PNW gravel and MTB really hits a sweet spot for scenery and suffering 
. Gorge Gravel sounds like a great opener, especially with camping and family along for the weekend. Hope the knee holds up and you get some good legs back in time.
Well it was an interesting weekend no doubt! Had a fantastic time with the family and some friends. Kids loved spending all day outside playing at the park/campground.
Race unfortunately did not go as planned and I think there’s a few factors there:
- The last couple weeks taking it really easy because of the knee didn’t have me as physically prepped.
- I haven’t had nearly as many 5 hr rides as this time last year. A good amount of 3-4+, but needed a bit more.
- I went out too hard lol. I hit my 2nd best 1 hr power and 3rd best 8 minute power.. Don’t think that’s ideal for a 6 hour race (for me).
I ended up starting to cramp about 2 hrs in. I’m a “cramper” by nature it seems, but usually with a lot of training and proper nutrition, I’m good to go. I did cramp at the last 2 miles of unbound last year so bad that I crashed into the ditch (fortunately going up hill) and I was crippled for about 2 minutes. A bystander brought me some drink and I was back up and finishing. Yesterday, the cramps came in hard and got way way worse. I got through all my drinks as I should have, tons of sodium in the tail wind, drank a pickle juice shot. By mile 40 I was only able to ride for about 15 minutes then stopping for 5, and still had 4k-5k feet of ascent and 52 miles left. Ultimately, I had to DNF or I could have been out there forever. I made it to 60 miles.
Disappointed for sure considering all the work I put in. My watt/kg is the highest it’s ever been (4.2) but my durability isn’t what it should be right now and I should have had that more calculated into my race plan going in. Just the adrenaline that had me pushing hard.
Fortunately my knees felt fine and it was just my muscles. Literally both hamstrings, both quads, calves, and even that weird tendon that is on the back of your knee (don’t think it’s a muscle, not sure how it cramps lol).
5 weeks until Cascade Gravel and I’ll be hitting it hard. Heading to Bend/Sisters for a pre-ride in two weeks and will make sure to get my long rides and mileage in between now and then. The Cascade gravel is 10 miles shorter with 2000’ less climbing, so that should help.
How did you like the new course? I grew up in Hood River and go back to visit a family a couple times a year. Is it worth an extra trip?
The course was a 10/10. The only thing that wasn’t ideal were a few of the longer paved sections. Not that there was ‘too much’ pavement for a gravel course, it was reasonable, I’m just not a big fan of riding on paved roads when I can avoid it. It’s not bad at all when you’re with a group, but always more of a concern if doing solo.
Other than that, the hills were long but not very steep. The descents were fast but you could hit them hard if you were smart about seeing the turns ahead. Most of the gravel was smooth and easy with a few bigger pot-hole areas deeper into the forests, but not really on fast descents so it wasn’t an issue. The scenery, as I’m sure you’re aware, was phenomenal. Coming from Texas, I remind myself every day to never stop appreciating the beauty out here.
Came across a ton of amazing dispersed camping spots out that way. Can’t wait to make a trip back there and get some camping in.
Good to hear about the course and sorry to hear about the cramping. Same happened to me at Sea Otter. Makes for a tough day. Hopefully able to recover and get back on the bike quickly!
Not many cycling events on my calendar for the year, i’ll likely do Bon Jon Pass Out and try to make a weekend of it on the peninsula. Otherwise i’d like to join in on Baker Hill Climb. STP is tentative though requires some more dedicated training than I think i’m willing to give right now.
I’ve done a few early season gravel rides like the Real West Gravel back in March followed by the GF Kennewick. Those helped just get in the mileage and work on my nutrition plans. I’ve had to pivot my schedule though due to work so I couldn’t do the Gorge Gravel grinder, but hoping this weekend maybe doing the GF Wahkiacus (Goldendale). High Cascades 100 is out due to family wedding so might opt for the Ring of Fire later.
Other than that, some other gravel and/or mtb will play by ear as it comes.