Gravel Rides
The Road Less Traveled...The Road More Graveled

 Gravel Group Rides in and around the Capitol Forest
The Gravelpalooza season is on hold right now.  We hope we can pick up again soon and will update everyone when we are able to start up again.  Stay safe everyone and if you can ride, feel free to use this season's ride links found further down on this page.
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Previously: Gravelpalooza #13 Saturday March 7th 10:00 am.
Start Location: Rock Candy Trailhead Parking Lot

Wow, last ride everyone did great!  You did so well that it almost makes us think the route was too easy.  Just kidding.  Well done!

This week we are going to keep our maximum elevation at a bit lower since the current forecast looks suspicious.  But, with rainy weather possible, it's the perfect time to have our GORE Demo.  That's right, this week our GORE Rep will be present with ShakeDry Jacket Demos for you to try and use for the ride.  This just might be the reason you see so many of these jackets on our ride.  Trying is believing.

We will meet at the Rock Candy Trailhead where we will cross Hwy 8 to ride along Summit Lake Road to the Green Diamond Land.  We will do a lap including the steep and loose 2807 climb to 3 Amigos.  Then we will hop back on Summit Lake Road to Turkey Rd and onto the S-Line.  A quick loop can be made OR you can opt for the S-2000 out and back which is about 4.5 miles each way.  This road will make its Gravelpalooza debut this week and it includes a big 'downhill and back uphill' towards its terminus!

The full route is a bit over 28 miles approximately 3,000 ft of UPHILL.

There is a ride-to-the-ride this week leaving from the Skep at 9 am.  Let us know if you'll be there.  We can leave earlier and go the gravel way there too which typically departs at 8:30 am.
For ride information, and specifically last minute ride updates related to weather or location changes or other cosmic interference, contact us.

PLEASE NOTE: Although we do not want to leave anyone behind on these rides, we encourage you to show up to these rides with a good level of fitness out of respect for your fellow riders. We don't want people waiting around for lengthy periods in cold and sometimes very wet weather.  A few minutes here and there is not big deal, we're talking more about 20-30 minute regroups where everyone gets cold and cranky.

What:
The fall and winter is not the most fun place time to get all your miles on the road or muddy mountain bikes trails, so saddle up on your gravel bike, mountain bike or bike that will get the job done and get ready to hit the gravel!

These rides are primarily gravel logging roads, so a minimum of 700x33 tire is recommended.  Gearing is important as well (some popular gear setups are 46/30 in front and 11/34 in back or 40t 1x gearing in the front with a 10/42 in the back).  The rides go UPHILL and the forest UPHILL is nothing like road uphill.  If unsure of what is appropriate, just ask by clicking here.

Also, be sure to stop by the shop and check out the fleet of gravel bikes we carry.  Most models that we stock are ridden by us so we know that they work when and where you want them to.  We also rent gravel bikes.  Check them out on the Rental Bikes tab on our site.

​These rides will be primarily 25-40 miles (With the option to do more if the group dictates).

Where:
For the 2019-20 season we will be mixing up the starting locations on a weekly basis. Why you ask? We feel like there are just too many great routes to explore and by starting down town westside we are limiting our potential to give you the best gravel experience possible. That said, there is a good change we will meet up at the Skep and Skein for our post-ride banter to revel in the tales of the ride we just completed. 

Why:
Why should you come on these rides?  These rides are full of challenge!  No one ever comes away disappointed after learning some of the best gravel riding to be found is in the Capitol Forest!
When:
​Every other Weekend! These rides start at 10 am (usually) from the designated start area. The ride season started on September 14th and will continue through April...or until otherwise noted.  Click on the Our Shop then Events tab for our calendar for specific dates.
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What do I bring?

Bike:
We recommend some sort of Cyclocross-esque "Adventure bike" for these rides. Because of the length and elevation profiles the bike should be relatively light (under 30 lbs). Lightweight cross country mountain bikes are also appropriate, as long as you are ready to pedal 25-40 miles on it. 

Gear:
-Fenders (Buddy flaps are nice, but not mandatory)
-Raincoat that packs nicely
-Thick socks
-2 pairs of gloves
-Spare Tube
-Patch Kit
-CO2
-Tire Levers

Nourishment
-2-3 Bars
-2-3 bottles of H2O

Starting locations:

Wondering where we're talking about when we reference our start locations? Wonder no more! 

Skep and Skein

Kennedy Creek

Mima Falls Trailhead and Parking Lot

The "Y"

Rock Candy mountain

Lake Sylvia State Park

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