Five days of stage racing. I got into cycling in 2022 and was strong enough to race by 2024. The Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder was the test—five stages of gravel out of Bend, camping in between.
Trip Overview Map
The Grind: A Daily Log
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
Bend earns the hype. The Deschutes runs right through town—hop in a kayak or a tube and float it—and there's no shortage of good, healthy food.
Day 2: Let's Go Racing!
Started at Oregon State's Cascades campus, with riders going off in waves by category. Fresh legs, so I got after it.
Day 3: Round 2 Fight
Legs still fresh. Another day of riding hard while I could.
Day 4: The Reality Sets In
The freshness was gone. Everything hurt.
Day 5: Full Stride
The legs came back. Working through yesterday's low bought a second wind, and I could push again.
Day 6: Chunky Death
By far the hardest day of racing. Sore rider, tired bike, no appetite for another gel. The trails were chunky and punishing to the very end. The reward: done racing, real food, and new friends to share it with.
Photo Gallery
Tips for Future Grinders
- Packing: Everything fits in one container, but bring two. You'll be tired when you get off the bike, and packing goes faster with slack.
- Transportation: You can get everywhere in town by bike; a car makes the short errands quicker.
- Food: The stage-race food is catered and good. Load up on carbs—they are your friend.