2025 GRAVEL Ride Guide
We’re excited to have you join us for a two-day gravel-fest down roads less traveled. We’re setting up camp at the Trask River County Campground in Tillamook, OR where we’ll hang out riverside listening to the soundtrack of water.
Gravel riders will have the whole Cycle Oregon experience – camping, showers, route support, live music, beer garden – And a weekend of top-grade gravel roads that will have you climbing through a wonderland of firs and ferns, as you’re constantly rewarded with views of the many mystical forks of the Trask River and the peaks and valleys of the Coast Range. As you crest one of the many summits, you’ll discover epic vistas before once again descending into the lush greenery of the Tillamook State Forest.
Even if you’re a veteran of Cycle Oregon, please peruse this guide as a reminder of the things you’ll need to make this adventure a great one.
Preparation and Arriving
Trask River County Campground will open to GRAVEL riders at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 6, and the event closes Sunday, June 8 at 5 p.m. Friday is a check-in day, and riding takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
The overnight site is located at Trask River County Campground; long-term parking is located 1 mile south of the campground at the Trask River RV Park.
To ensure a smooth arrival, please follow exact directions when driving in.
- Driving and Parking
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Accomodations
Tent Camping
Camping is available Friday after 3 p.m. at Trask River County Campground. You’ll be directed to Long Term Parking where you will check in and drop your luggage to be transported to the event site. You might want to bring something (ribbon, flag or blinking light) to identify your belongings among all the others. Don’t forget to bring your tent, ground cloth, sleeping bag, and pad. Cycle Oregon does not provide tents.RVs, Campers, Trailers, and Car Camping
Parking is available Friday after 3 p.m. Volunteers will assist you in parking in your designated space. Please be mindful of the fact that others will be parked near you as well. Some spots will have 2 vehicles in them. Please park your RV before checking in. Check in is located at the yellow Rider Services trailer. This check in location is for RV/Van pass holders and their guests only.Smoking is prohibited during the event.
Nearby Accommodations
If you are looking to arrive early or stay later, there are some additional lodging options in the town of Tillamook. -
Check In
Please read carefully as we have two check in locations this year.If you purchased an RV/Van parking pass, please find your designated camp spot before you check in. You will check in at the yellow Rider Services trailer. You must show your photo ID to check in and you cannot sign in for someone else.
If you purchased a regular parking pass, you will check in at long term parking 1 mile south of camp, where your vehicle will be parked for the weekend. Once you park your vehicle in long term parking, head over to the check in table located outside of the convenience store. You must show your photo ID to check in and you cannot sign in for someone else. After you check in, and drop your luggage to be transported to the overnight site, enjoy a leisurely 1-mile ride back to the campground, where your luggage will be conveniently dropped near the tent camping area.
Check in will be available during these times:
- Friday, June 6, from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 7, from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. at the yellow Rider Services trailer only
- Cell Coverage
- What bike should I ride and what should I carry?
Camp Services
Our camp is filled with every thing you need for the weekend, from hot showers, to delicious meals, to great entertainment.
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Meals
Cycle Oregon will provide dinner on site Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday:
- Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday): 6:00 – 8:30 a.m
- Saturday Lunch: on course (main/long route) 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | in camp (short route) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Sunday Lunch: on course (main/long route) 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | in camp (short route) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Dinner (Friday & Saturday): 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
MENU Friday Dinner Greek Chicken, Beef Shawarma, Falafel, Lemon Rice, Hummus, Tzatziki, Greek Salad, cupcakes & cheesecakes
Saturday Breakfast Franz baked goods, oatmeal bar with toppings, plain scramble, manchego & vegetable frittata, bacon or veggie sausage, home fries, fresh fruit, Nossa Familia Coffee Saturday Lunch Pasta salad with choice of protein, make-your-own-PBJ, fresh fruit, chips, Franz cookie Saturday Dinner Smoked beef brisket, lemon caper salmon, Beyond meatloaf, mashed red skin potatoes, seasonal veggies, green salad, dessert tray with brownies, lemon bars & eclairs Sunday Breakfast Franz baked goods, oatmeal bar with toppings, scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, veggie sausage, veggies, hash browns, fresh fruit, Nossa Familia Coffee Sunday Lunch Turkey sandwich on Franz Organic Bread, make your own pb&j (vegan), potato salad, chips, Franz cookie, No Dinner on Sunday * Must be registered as a vegetarian to receive the vegetarian main course option.
Coffee
Nossa Familia will have fresh coffee available each morning for Cycle Oregon riders.
Reusable Dishware
We are excited to be offering Bold Reuse dishware, silverware, and cups at GRAVEL. Last year we were able to divert over 10,000 single use items from the landfill by using their reusables!
If you ended up with one of their items (plates or cups) from last year’s GRAVEL, we kindly as that you bring it back and return it to one of the Bold Reuse bins on site.
- Beer & Wine Garden
- Entertainment & Announcements
- Showers
- Bike Mechanics
- Rider Services
- Massage
- Yoga
- Medical Services
On the Course
Course Hours
- Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Riders must be on course by 9:00 a.m on Saturday and Sunday.
Course support services are available only during the course hours. If you leave before the course opens or are still riding after the course closes, there will be no support services available. All Cycle Oregon riders still on the course after the closure time will be offered a ride to camp. If you choose not to take the ride you will be on your own to get back to camp.
Route Option Closure Times:
- Saturday, June 7
- Long Route closes at Lunch Stop at 11:00 a.m.
- Sunday, June 8
- Long Route Closes at Lunch Stop at 11:30 a.m.
- First Challenge Loop closes at Water Stop at 11:30 a.m.
- Second Challenge Loop closes at 12:30 p.m.
We do a rolling course closure as riders move through. Our sweep team follows behind the final riders to remove route signs and close the course, but their role is also to keep riders moving forward throughout the day.
Things to do in Tillamook
The town of Tillamook is excited to welcome Cycle Oregon riders and all of Tillamook County is helping make our Gravel event a memorable experience both on and off the bike.
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum
Tillamook Air Museum
Jandy Oyster Co
Pelican Brewing Company
Tillamook Creamery
Blue Heron French Cheese Co
Fern Restaurant & Lounge
Emergency Information
In extreme emergencies, family members can contact a rider by calling the Oregon State Police at 800-442-0776. Please ask them to send an urgent message to Cycle Oregon officials. Bear in mind that it may take up to 12 hours to locate a rider and relay a message.
If you are on the road and in serious need of medical assistance, do not hesitate to call 911. In the case of a minor emergency, flag down any Cycle Oregon volunteer and they will dispatch a SAG van or ambulance.
You can help in an emergency. If you witness an accident on the course, please do the following:
- Do not move the injured rider, especially if you suspect a head or spinal injury.
- Notify a passing ambulance, SAG van, support riders, or staff vehicle with the “thumbs down” signal. If there is no one around to help, call 911.
- Take care of yourself. Do not step into the path of vehicle traffic.
- Keep the injured person calm.
- Once a Cycle Oregon official is on the scene and you have given a statement, please continue on the ride.
Rules of the Ride
The number one priority of Cycle Oregon is your safety. Therefore, here are a few rules we insist you follow:
1. Only bicycles propelled by human power are allowed to participate in a Cycle Oregon sponsored event.
2. Helmets and two water bottles (or equivalent) are required on Cycle Oregon events. The use of rear-view mirrors is recommended as a safety measure.
3. Cycle Oregon uses a group of Safety Patrol volunteers on motorcycles who provide an on-course presence and are a good source of information or assistance during the ride. They enhance the overall safety of the ride by interacting with riders who may pose a hazard by unlawful or unsafe riding. Heed their advice.
4. By Oregon law, bicyclists are operators of vehicles and must comply with all traffic laws. Cycle Oregon reserves the right to expel any participant who demonstrates a reluctance to ride in a safe and lawful manner. Riders who violate safety laws in the Oregon motor vehicle code are also subject to citation by law enforcement officials.
5. The Cycle Oregon event courses are open for designated hours. Course support vehicles and other support services are available only during course hours. Any cyclist(s) still on the course after the designated closing time will be offered a ride to camp; if you choose not to take it you are on your own to get into camp and no course support services will be available for those who choose to stay out.
6. SAG support is to be used for mechanical and/or medical reasons only. Excessive use of SAG support (3 or more times) for any other reason may exclude participants from registering for future Cycle Oregon events.
7. The course will be clearly marked. If you leave the official course, you are not part of the ride and will not receive any services or support.
8. We try to direct as much vehicle traffic as possible off the route. Nevertheless, the tour travels on public road. Therefore, ride no more than two abreast. Ride beside a pal only where it is safe to do so, and where you do not block traffic or force other riders to swing far out to pass.
9. Never draft behind a vehicle. Gravel and logging trucks should be given extra space, if possible, please pull off to let them pass. Pace lines are prohibited in areas of high vehicle or cyclist traffic and are limited in size to a maximum of seven riders. Be especially careful at railroad tracks, cattle guards, and busy intersections. Course monitors and safety vehicles may be stationed in areas of special concern.
10. Call “ON YOUR LEFT” to alert a rider you intend to pass. The call “CAR BACK” passes the message forward when a vehicle is approaching from behind. Use arm signals to indicate turns. Point out potholes, broken glass and other hazards to those behind you. Signal your intention to stop and pull off the roadway.
11. Use of headphones while riding on Cycle Oregon events is highly discouraged. Safe group riding in an event such depends on communication between cyclists. Headphones interfere with that process and make it difficult for people to hear instructions such as “CAR BACK” and “ON YOUR LEFT.” Headphones also make it difficult to hear approaching cars or trucks, negatively impacting the safety of cyclists and motorists.
12. Cycle Oregon enjoys a reputation for leaving our campsites, lunch spots, rest stops, and course spotless. Please dispose of all trash, reusables, and recyclables in the appropriate places.
13. Cyclists must keep the roadway clear when stopping at an eventdesignated stop or any other location. Please ensure that bicycles are parked off the road and that cyclists do not congregate on the roadways.
14. Cycle Oregon events include assorted drinks at meals and all rest stops. Still, the responsibility for carrying sufficient water and remaining properly hydrated is yours. Make sure you drink extra fluids before, during, and after the ride to reduce the risk of dehydration. While in the saddle, you should consume an average of one liter of fluid for each hour of riding. Drink before you become thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. Muscle cramping can also be a sign of dehydration. If at any time you run low on water, signal a SAG van with a “thumbs down” and ask for a fill-up. Do not be tempted by roadside rivers and streams, as the water may contain bacteria or parasites.
15. Stop the spread of invasive weeds – Please read this short guide from the Bureau of Land Management on how to protect native ecosystems from invasive weeds such as Scotch broom and English ivy. BLM_Invasive_Weed_Guide