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We are excited for the 2024 Gorge Gravel Race/Ride! Team Breakaway has drastically changed all three courses this coming year to keep things fresh and exciting for all who participate. For starters we have removed the dreaded Endersby Wall that kicked off the start of all our races the past 3 years for a kinder gentler start that allows riders to “warm up” before throwing down the gauntlet.
Don’t think this omission means we are getting soft! We have added more spicey sections and more miles to make sure everyone gets their money’s worth. So, without further ado here are all three 2024 Gorge Gravel courses and a quick run down from our infamous race director Bad Chad.
NEW for 2024 we are including some spicy sections into this year’s Gorge Gravel Race. For the Big Course there will be 3 sections and for the Medium and Small just one section. Do not panic! The first spicy section for all distances there is a “chicken” route available for anyone who does not do spicy in their gravel riding. The alternate route is super easy to navigate and only adds an additional half mile. We will be posting intel on each of the three routes later this month with the snows melt. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to check out all the juicy details.
BIG GRAVEL
100 Miles - 8300 Feet Elevation
60% Gravel - 40% Paved
For 2024 our Big Gravel course will be even longer! We where so close to that century mark; we said what the heck lets just go 100. That is 100 miles of course. No wimpy metric century at this event. Up from 93 miles for last year’s Big Gravel course the race starts with a gentle rollout through the beautiful Dufur Valley on paved roads before turning off onto Rail Hollow and the start of the gravel. The first 10 miles will be gentle climbing with grades ranging from 2-3% to help get the blood pumping and legs warmed up. This year we are adding three brand-new spicey sections to help make the race more selective based on bike handling in addition to fitness. Heberlein, Wrentham Cutoff, and Upper Eight Mile descent will provide short be decisive sections for the Big Gravel riders. The dreaded Endersby Climb will now be reversed with riders climbing the back side up to the timing finish to make sure and zap the last of your strength and energy. We are confident this course will leave you tired and satisfied.
2023 to 2024 Breakdown – For starters 7 more miles. 2024 will be 100 miles in total length and 1000 feet more elevation. Three brand-new spicey sections will help to ensure this does not turn into a full-blown road race again (last year we had a peloton rolling through much of the course). We will also be including an additional category for Pro-Elite Men and Women and Amateur Men and Women for the Big Gravel Course. The Pro-Elite Men and Women will be vying for a cash prize purse this year to keep motivation high.
MEDIUM GRAVEL
65 Miles - 5200 Feet Elevation
60% Gravel - 40% Paved
For 2024, our Medium Gravel course got just a little easier. With the removal of the dreaded Endersby Climb right out of the gate next year’s race will start with a 10-mile warm up heading out the Dufur Valley and up Rail Hollow Road. A little shorter on mileage and elevation will help riders save some more energy for the new spicy sections we have included. Heberlein and Wrentham Cutoff will provide just enough challenge to tease riders who like technical gravel and scare those who don’t. Nearly all new roads next year for the Medium Gravel course riders as we head further west than in year’s past will keep those who have done this course multiple year’s, new scenery to experience. This course is also more wind shaded. Don’t get us wrong there will still be wind just less of it.
2023 to 2024 Breakdown – Less miles, less elevation, more spice is the theme for our Medium Course riders. Down from 66 miles last year to 64 miles in 2024 as well as 700 feet less elevation. This will allow rider a little more in the legs to take on the spicy Heberlein and Wrentham Cutoff sections. The majority of this course is new for Medium Gravel course riders and the roads that have been used the past 3 years will be run in reverse for a new look and feel. More trees and beautiful views of Mt. Hood greet riders and this is a more wind friendly course.
SMALL GRAVEL
45 Miles - 3500 Feet Elevation
50% Gravel - 50% Paved
For 2024, our Small Gravel course got just a little easier. With the removal of the dreaded Endersby Climb right out of the gate next year’s race will start with a 10-mile warm up heading out the Dufur Valley and up Rail Hollow Road. A little shorter on mileage and elevation will help riders save some more energy for the new Heberlein Road spicy section. Nearly all new roads next year for the Small Course riders as we head further west through the town of Friend, Oregon. Also “Friendly is the fact that the course is more wind shaded. Don’t get us wrong there will still be wind just less of it. What has not changed is the super fun decent down Easton Canyon Road to the timing finish as well as sweeping views of no less than 5 major Cascade Mountain volcanos from the top of Tygh Ridge Road.
2023 to 2024 Breakdown – Less miles, less elevation, more spice is the theme for our Small Course riders. Down from 51 miles last year to 45 miles in 2024 as well as 800 feet less elevation. This will allow rider a little more in the legs to take on the spicy Heberlein section. The majority of this course is new for the Small Course riders and the roads that have been used the past 3 years will be run in reverse for a new look and feel. More trees and beautiful views of Mt. Hood greet riders on the 2024 course.
Getting ready to join us at the Gorge event?
Our pals at Dirty Freehub, who are going to join us at the Gorge event, have offered up some suggestions on additional routes that you can include on your visit to Dufur. Dirty Freehub is a nonprofit that creates amazing gravel Ride Guides that help you to find cool places to ride and to learn about these places. Here's the map of their Ride Guides in Oregon; we hope you carve out extra days on your journey to enjoy some of them. (Maupin, Tygh Valley and Dufur all have routes that are low enough to be snow free.). We also hope you support their great cause with a donation to their organization.