Tygh Valley: All that’s new in a favorite, familiar place
We love Tygh Valley – simple as that – and we hope you’ll join us here for one of our favorite weekends of the year. Ever since we first hit the roads-less-traveled in 2018, rave reviews for GRAVEL have turned this event into a cornerstone of the Cycle Oregon calendar.
Tygh is pronounced “tie”
Gravel bikes have changed a lot in just under a decade and we’re making tweaks and refinements to the event weekend to make it even more fun, too. There’s a lot that’s familiar with Cycle Oregon in Tygh Valley, we know how important that is for so many of our riders, but there will be a lot that’s new right from the moment we roll into camp to keep the experience feeling fresh.
Let’s take a look at 5 fun things to know about GRAVEL 2026:
1) It’s Sooner Than You Think
GRAVEL is now in early May and for good reason. In Tygh Valley, early May typically offers comfortable riding conditions with historical daily highs in the mid-to-high 60s (°F) and evening lows in the high 40s. May is a transition month, often featuring a blend of bright, pleasant days, low humidity and scattered rain showers. It is considered one of the better times for visiting, but you should prepare for sudden weather changes just as you would with any ride in this wild and wonderful state. Let’s face it, we do want a little bit of mud and grit out there, right? A touch of moisture keeps the temperature cool and the traction high!
2) Friday Shakeout Ride with OMTM
Roll into the weekend with a Friday Shakeout Ride led by the globally renowned route-scouts at Our Mother The Mountain ( OMTM.cc ), who bring a signature focus on community and creative exploration to this easy-going 10-mile social ride. Once you’re back at camp, Trek Tech Support will be on standby to fine-tune your rig, leaving you nothing to do but settle into the valley, meet your people and party into the night.
3) Live Music at GRAVEL
Remember the thrill of a world-premiere music video? This year, we’re bringing that same energy to the Tygh Valley canyon. We’re calling it GTV (Gravel + Tygh Valley)—a weekend performance featuring the best of the valley’s natural terrain paired with a high-fidelity festival sound. From the first “tracking lines” on our Friday shakeout ride to the final encore on Saturday night, consider this your backstage pass to the most gnarly party on the gravel calendar.
Friday Night – Deepest Darkest Indie Rock / Cinematic / Guitar-Forward
This guitar-based rock formation specializes in a journey of sound, humor, and tension. Expect soaring harmonies and dynamic, energetic sets that occasionally feature a surprise trumpet lick (though almost never a sousaphone). It’s rock and roll with a sense of adventure—the perfect soundtrack for swapping ride stories.
Saturday Afternoon – New Body Electric Electropop / Disco-Funk / Dream Pop
Get ready for a high-energy blend of disco, funk, and electropop. Known for their “fresh and organic” self-produced tracks, NBE delivers a live set packed with trumpet breakdowns, beefy bass hooks, and dreamy guitar solos. If you’re a fan of Tame Impala or Phoenix, you’ll want to be front and center when this quartet hits the stage.
Saturday Night – Camp Crush New Wave / Dark Synth-Pop
Fresh off the release of their 2026 single “Reckless Phase,” this husband-and-wife synth-pop duo brings a “darker and dancier” vibe to the valley. Influenced by New Wave icons like Depeche Mode and Blondie, their performance is cinematic, mesmerizing, and undeniably happy. It’s tight pop production met with vintage synth tones that will keep the post-ride energy soaring.
4) More than just Free Beer
In 2018, our pitch for GRAVEL was essentially “Free Beer All Weekend.” But just as the tech on our bikes has evolved, so has our finish line culture. While many of us still love a cold post-ride pint, we know that the modern gravel community values choice, clarity, and—increasingly—the option to skip the alcohol without skipping the flavor.
That’s why we’ve partnered with the non-alcoholic craft specialists at Heck Brewing. From their crisp, honey-noted Gentle Persuasion Golden to the citrus-heavy Silver Linings IPA, Heck is producing world-class pours that stand on their own. All weekend long, you’ll have free access to our full broadcast of beverages: local craft beer, premium NA brews, and refreshing flavored hop waters. It’s the perfect way to wind down a high-energy day of riding and still wake up feeling “digitally remastered”—ready to hit the Nossa Familia Coffee station for a free morning cup as the sun rises with us.
5) Look Good – Feel Good
Event Jersey: Gravel has always been a bit grittier and more experimental than the road, so we’ve designed a kit to match that frequency. Our 2026 GRAVEL jersey moves away from the standard full-zip look, opting instead for a Henley-style cut with a classic button-up placket. It’s made from Primal’s sustainable Echofé fabric, giving it a soft, t-shirt feel that transitions perfectly from the canyon to the concert stage without sacrificing performance.
As for the aesthetic? Think “Digitally Remastered Nostalgia.” The design plays with vintage TV and VHS-era textures—static, signal waves, and imperfect tracking lines—all rendered in bright, synthwave-inspired colors. Whether you’re wearing the performance jersey or the limited-edition event t-shirt, it’s a high-vis tribute to the “GTV” era that brings the noise and the party-on attitude to every mile.
Event T-Shirt: For the 2026 design, we partnered with Portland-based artist, mechanic, and RAR co-founder Mary Lytle. The design channels Cycle Oregon’s energy through a vibrant vaporwave lens, blending the technical grit of the bike community with old-school aesthetic.
“I had a blast playing around with ways to capture Cycle Oregon’s vibe through a vaporwave lens — it’s such a fun direction to explore.” — Mary Lytle
The Feel: Lightweight and incredibly soft with a natural drape.
The Build: 4.2-ounce premium tri-blend (50% recycled polyester / 25% organic cotton / 25% modal)
The Fit: Unisex Sizes XS–4XL
Encore!
And you just know there’s gonna be all kinds of crazy fun like this and more.
Want a second opinion? Here’s YouTube creator Dustin Klein from Everything’s Been Done interviewing folks at last year’s GRAVEL event at Trask River.
