2019 Oregon Trail Competitor Guide - June 19-23 rd 2019 - Oregon Trail Gravel ...
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2019 Oregon Trail Competitor Guide
June 19-23rd 2019Welcome to the 2019 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. On behalf of the entire Breakaway Promotions crew we would like to welcome you to Bend, Oregon and this inaugural event. The goal of this race is to provide a fun and adventurous outing that showcases the many faces and beauty of Oregon while capturing the spirit of the Oregon Trail. Miles of forest, rivers, and yes even two historic wagon roads will provide both back drop and challenge to you at this event. We hope you ride responsibly and enjoy this event. The following information is provided to help you navigate this adventure. Rules The rules are there are no rules. Well that is not quite the case. We do have rules just not as many as your standard USA Cycling Road Race. We are relying on all of you to race in a respectful and honest manner throughout the week. Cheaters will be sent home and banned from future events. Please keep in mind this is both a competition and a ride. But most importantly this is all for fun! So, without further ado here are the rules. Categories – there are three categories being offered at this year’s Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. They are the Explorer (hardest), Adventure (easier), and Packer (really hard). Explorers are expected to ride the longest stages each day and navigate the roughest roads. This is a very hard race and you should come prepared with great fitness and mad bike handling skills. Adventure category is for those looking for a challenging ride but are not built with a third lung and really high lactate threshold. Kind of the sport category. Don’t get us wrong it is still going to be really hard just not soul crushing hard. Packers are the hardy and stubborn bunch that will pack all their own gear. No one is going to carry their bags. They will receive no tote bin and must carry all their own equipment through the entire event. They will follow the Adventure courses each day in their quest to reach the finish while having all their equipment still in tow. Disqualification – If for any reason you must receive a ride to the finish of a stage you will no longer be in the race competition. You may start the following day and continue to participate in the event but you will not receive an overall time or place. At this point you are bike touring. If you are caught cutting the courses, or impeding other riders you will be disqualified and sent home immediately. You will be banned from all future Breakaway Promotions events…..period! We do not take kind to cheaters. Category Changes – Should you start out as an Explorer and decide mid race to drop down to the Adventure courses you may do so at any time. You are required to notify Cascade Timing of this decision. Your current time will carry over and continue to be added to your overall time as an Adventure competitor. You may not go from an Adventure category up to the Explorer at any point and still continue to be scored in the race. You may do so simply to ride but you will no longer be in the race competition. Packers must remain as Packers through the entire race. Racing Rules and Info – This is a gravel race so we are removing as many of the paved sections at the start and end of each day from the race competition. We don’t want any stinking pavement. What that means is we will have a ceremonial start in Sisters on Wednesday June 19th to get things underway, as well as from camp each morning. You will ride easy to the official timing start out on course. Each stage is marked as to the official timing start and finish. Before this checkpoint and after you are not in competition. Though we are chip timing this event we will use a gun time to start each day’s race. Meaning everyone is given the same starting time. Timing Start and Timing Finish will be identified by two cones and an Oregon Trail Flag at both the timing start and finish. Both locations are identified on your Ride With GPS maps as well as in the official turn by turn directions. The official start of each day is 9 AM but the official timing start will vary depending on the distance from camp to the starting point. Here are the official starting times by stage. Stage #1 – 9:30 AM Stage #2 – 9:10 AM Stage #3 – 9:10 AM Stage #4 – 9:00 AM Stage #5 – 9:40 AM We will have a mandatory rider meeting each day at 8:45 AM at the starting arch and then begin the ride ceremonial ride to the timing start at 9:00 AM
Each day we will have a podium ceremony recognizing the top three riders for both men and women in the Explorer, Adventure, and Packer Categories as well as the current race leader with our jersey presentation nightly at 7PM. Results can be viewed at the results tent as well as on our website nightly. It is critical that you read and understand that this race is RULES OF THE ROAD! You are required to stop at all stop signs, yield when required, and stay to the right and let faster traffic pass. It is your responsibility to check both ways and cross when clear when crossing major roads and highways. Riders will receive a single bib number and a timing chip for their ankle. Riders must wear their bib numbers on their right sides for every stage. If you lose your bib number or timing chip please check in with Cascade Timing to be issued a new one. Medical We have a very experienced team of medical staff on course and at the finish to support you. Each stage will have 4 medical staff roaming the courses and assisting when necessary with cleaning wounds, stabilizing, and transporting down riders. Please realize that you are riding through a number of very remote areas and that medical attention could take hours to arrive and if your medical issue is critical, we will have to airlift you out at your expense. Do not take unnecessary risks or chances that could severely injure you. We will have a medical tent set up nightly to take care of any injuries or abrasions you may have. Mechanical Support We have two amazing mechanics crews supporting you over the 5 days. Mt. View Cycles in Hood River and Sagebrush Cycles in Bend will both have 3 staff members ready to get your ride fixed on course or at camp. We will have 3 of our mechanics roaming on course and one mechanic stationed at each aid station with tools and supplies. All this stated that is a vast area to cover so we strongly encourage you to bring spare tubes, pump, tools and supplies to help you limp to the nearest aid station. We will have a mechanics tent set up nightly between 5-8 PM in camp to help service or fix your bike. Support on the course is free of charge. Any work that needs to be done at camp or parts needed will be at the expense of the rider (bring cash for McKenzie due to limited cellular signal, all other camps credit cards will work) and charged directly by the shops. Food Service We are excited to partner with Spin Catering. They will be providing delicious food throughout the week. Each rider will receive breakfast and dinner each day with the exception of Wednesday morning where you are on your own for Breakfast. We will provide lunch fair on course at Aid Station #2 for each stage. Lunch makings include, fruit, vegetables, bread, peanut butter, jelly, honey, cheeses, lunch meats, chips, crackers and granola bars among the other aid station items. Breakfast will be served from 6:30 to 8:30 AM for stages 2-5. We will have complimentary drip coffee provided by Autobahn Coffee each day. They are able to make espresso drinks as well but those will be at the expense of the rider (bring cash for McKenzie due to limited cellular signal, all other camps credit cards will work). Dinner will be served nightly from 5-8 PM at camp. We will provide a snack bar for riders who arrive at camp early and need food prior to dinner as well as a hydration station. At each meal please check in with your name and Govt ID (Thur- Sun if you want beer & whiskey) at the chuckwagon/meal tent/ gym so we can get a head count. Food is ONLY for registered riders or those who purchased an additional meal plan. Family or friends who are not part of the race can buy a dinner/breakfast ticket at the Mercantile Store. Seconds will be allowed after everyone has been fed and if there is food left over.- e signified by the ringing of the final dinner bell around 8pm.
Beverage Service
At dinner time each rider will receive two tokens that may be used for beer or whiskey at our Buzzard Butte Bar
sponsored by Deschutes Brewing. YOU MUST SHOW ID. It is the law! Come saddle up to the bar and wash the dust off
your tongue and enjoy!
Showers/Restrooms
Each location has showers and restrooms available. For stage 2 and 4 restrooms are onsite but showers are at another
location. For stage 2 in Camp Oakridge we have rented the Westridge School for showers. We will run a shower shuttle
to take riders the 4 miles to the school and back. The shower shuttle will run between 2-7 PM. For stage 4 at Camp
LaPine the shower facilities will be at LaPine High School about a quarter mile from camp. You will be on your own to
ride or walk to that location. Showers are open between 1-6 PM. All other camps have shower facilities open 24 hours.
Entertainment and Games
This is not just a ride it is a 5-day experience and what better way to enjoy that experience off the bike than nightly
games and movies! We will have a cornhole, horseshoe, frisbee cup and poker tournament setup for your enjoyment.
Each night will feature one of these fun games. Games will start at 6 PM and run to 9 PM. We will be showing an old
western movie on both Wednesday and Friday in the gymnasiums.
Nightly Shuttle Service
Should you have to abandon the race at any point we will have staff ready to shuttle you back to Sisters, Oregon. Please
be aware you will not be able to access your vehicle in secure parking during the event as the gates will be locked. You
must coordinate with staff or our shuttle driver that deliveries you back to Sisters will have a key and access.
Stage Shuttles
Should things go badly and you have an off day we have shuttles at aid stations #2 and #3 that can give you a lift to the
finish. You will be allowed to start the next day but you will be out of the racing competition.
DAY ONE
Camp Sisters – Camp McKenzie
Difficulty: Hard
Tire recommendation: 40+ (Big)
Description: There is no easing into this brute of an event. Riders will have their trail toughness tested right off the bat.
The race starts off easy enough with a gentle roll out from Sisters, Oregon via the McKenzie Pass Highway. 7.7 miles into
the race the timing will start and so will the gravel. First tame and easy riding then progressively getting more technical
and challenging starting at mile 12. By the time you hit the historic Santiam Wagon Road at mile 16.2 it is full on tough
time. Remember that all wagon roads are rough, rutted, and challenging! Riders will cross creeks, rocks, and sand for
the next 3 miles before reaching Aid Station #1 at the beautiful Big Lake at the top of Santiam Pass. Here decisions must
be made. Explorers must keep going and battling the challenging wagon road. Just like those early pioneers on the
Oregon Trail they can take the short, rough, and dangerous route or they can take the longer smoother route. So
Adventures you have two options. You can continue to follow the Explorers on the rough and nasty Santiam Wagon
Road for another 5 miles or you can turn right just after Aid Station #1 and take the paved roads and Santiam Highwayaround. This adds an additional 7 miles of riding to the route. The final half mile of the Santiam Wagon Road is the
roughest and nastiest of the entire 5-days of racing. This is your choice. Choose wisely.
Once you depart from the Santiam Wagon Road and join FS Road 2676 it is smooth riding. You have now officially
crossed the mighty Cascade Mountain Range and are on the westside. Westside roads are the heaven compared to the
hell you have just faced with the wagon road. Smooth, fast, low dust factor and beautiful. In fact the biggest danger you
will face is being distracted by the amazing views of the snow capped mountains and not on the road. Explorers please
be heads up for road markers along the route. If you see a road marker then it is identifying an area were the road has
slid away and is a dangerous area. Be sure to ride on the opposite side from the markers at all times. Be aware of blind
corners and occasional traffic.
Camp Life: Camp Blue River is staged at McKenzie High School. The school is a throwback to the golden age of the 40’s
and 50’s were wood was the material of choice. It is nestled into the deep forests that surround you in the Willamette
National Forest. This is a dry camp so please no alcohol or smoking. We will get Buzzard Butte Bar up and running the
following day in Camp Oakridge.
Tip of the Day: The timing finish and Aid Station #3 are located just before you reach Blue River Reservoir. Be sure to
pull over since you are not on the clock anymore and take a quick dip in the cool waters.
Explorer Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27854607
Adventure Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28550379
DAY TWO
Camp McKenzie – Camp Oakridge
Difficulty: Moderate
Tire recommendation: 35+
Description: This tour through the Willamette National Forest is beautiful. Old Growth trees, rivers, streams, alpine
flowers and those views. The views are breathtaking. Roads for the most part at smooth and fast. All this said this is
the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder and that means it has to be hard. So we have a 20 mile climb to help get your legs
stretched out and work off that massive breakfast you just ate. Roads are great and have little to no traffic. Please do
not be lulled into a sense of false security. The first time you cut a corner blind you will meet that truck or RV head on.
Use caution on the final decent into Oakridge on the paved roads. They are fast and twisting and you are on gravel tires
not road tires.
Tip of the Day: The Willamette River runs right by Green Water Park and has a super cool swimming hole right there.
Skip the shower shuttle and soak in the river instead to knock the dust off. More refreshing!
Explorer Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27854692
Adventure Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28550516DAY THREE
Camp Oakridge – Camp Gilchrist
Difficulty: Extremely Hard
Tire recommendation: 40+
Description: This is the day that your gravel grinding career goes one of two directions. The first you conquer one of the
most difficult and challenging days in the saddle ever with grit and glory and remember this day for the rest of your life.
Or you are crushed and destroyed and have to climb into the shuttle of shame to be transported back to camp were the
rest of your life you will remember the toughest day you ever spent in the saddle. One way or another this stage will be
remembered.
Our staff affectionately calls it the beauty and the beast. The scenery is unbelievable and stunning. 90% of the roads are
amazing. However, the 23-mile climb followed by the remaining three climbs and massive net elevation gain for the day
are going to destroy your legs. Then throw on top of that the 7 miles of the Oregon Military Wagon Road (remember
wagon roads are never good) and you have one tough stage.
Tip of the Day: If you are racing in the Explorer category and have struggled at any point during the first two days or
racing, we strongly suggest you drop down to the Adventure category. This will not be a fun day and you will still
receive your massive finisher medal, cold beer and amazing food. There is no shame.
Explorer Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28551134
Adventure Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28551090
DAY FOUR
Camp Gilchrist – Camp LaPine
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Tire recommendation: 35+
Description: Time to regroup after the grueling stage 3. Stage 4 transitions to a whole new experience as you trade
huge douglas firs and lush green hills for the jack pines and volcanic features that make up Central Oregon’s arid
landscapes. Roads are dusty but smooth and the low angle climbs and limited elevation (relatively speaking) allow you
to catch your breath and prepare for the final day. Riders stay flat for the first 20 miles before gradually climbing he
southern flanks of the Newberry Crater. Eventually turning west and descending into the town of LaPine.
Tip of the Day: Bring your poker face and luck because Saturday night is poker night! Large tournament will be held in
the LaPine Community Center from 6-9 PM!
Explorer Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28551199
Adventure Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28551199DAY FIVE
Camp LaPine – Camp Sisters
Difficulty: Hard
Tire recommendation: 35+
Description: The final day has come but do not think for one minute you will have the opportunity to coast to the finish.
While not quite the epic day of stage 3 Sunday’s stage 5 should not be taken lightly. The ride starts innocent enough
with gentle paved and gravel roads winding through pine forests. Then comes the Skyliner Climb. Make sure to leave
plenty in the tank for this final obstacle that stands between you and the finish in Sisters. 9 miles and 2000 feet of
elevation takes you to 6700 feet elevation and the high point of the entire race. The finish timing mat and Aid Station #3
await near Three Creeks Lake as do the million dollar views. Take a moment to catch your breath, reflect, get your
picture taken by our staff before starting the long decent into Sisters and the post-race party.
Tip of the Day: Take pride in knowing you just made history finishing the first ever point to point gravel stage race in
North America!
Explorer Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30255187
Adventure Ride with GPS Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30255187Sponsors- Thank you!
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