This was the "rest day" ride or day three of the 2025 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder.
They describe the bike event as "the undisputed 'Grand Tour of Gravel' in the world. It’s for racers AND adventure riders who want to test their limits and push personal boundaries." It is an all-inclusive bike vacation in the exquisitely beautiful state of Oregon. The 5-day point-to-point format has you starting and finishing in Bend, Oregon and will take you deep into the wild west of the Cascades with overnight camp stops in Gilchrist, Oakridge and McKenzie. Expect to bike on extremely quiet forest roads and see dense forests of enormous Ponderosa pines, alpine lakes, blossoming wild flowers, and jaw-dropping wide-open views of snowcapped volcanic peaks.
We registered with fiends and rode it as "settlers", a non-competitive category. For us, it covered 300+ miles and over 20,000 ft of elevation over the 5-days!
We would 100% recommend this event. It was crazy fun as it felt like summer bike camp for gravel cyclists, but make no mistake- unlike this "rest day" ride, it was some seriously HARD days of biking.
The first two miles of biking from Greenwaters Park is absolutely magical. First there is the bridge over the rushing water of Middle Fork of the Willamette River, then you go through a section of narrow trail (forest road 5852) that feels like you are in an enchanted forest. The giant trees, hanging moss and dense foliage close in around you as sunshine peeks through the canopy and makes light dance on leaves moved by the summer breeze. ✨
What a special gravel road that exists on the east side of the Hills Creek Reservoir (Forest Road 2118). Motorized vehicles are allowed, but we didn't have to share the road with a single car when we biked it. It is pretty flat with almost no elevation gain. The surface is wide, generally fast rolling and non-technical, and the scenery of the water and forest is really incredible. We had come in on this road the day before and it was nice to do it again at a more casual pace and really soak up the spectacular views. We only wished the gravel went all the way around the reservoir!
While we love gravel roads, we do have to admit that the pavement on the west side of the reservoir (Rigdon Road) made for a care-free, screaming fast descentl.
95% of Forest Road 2118 was in great condition, but there were two spots around mile 15-16 that had rock slide debris and some obvious erosion damage to look out for.
Do this ride if you want a beginner-friendly gravel loop with spectacular Oregon scenery. It has the feel of something really rugged and remote, but you are never too terribly far from the town of Oakridge.
We started and finished this ride in Greenwaters Park. There are public bathrooms here and there is ample parking available. Bonus- the park has a permanent bike washing station!!
The bridge on the south end of the reservoir has a stunning veiw and is a perfect place for a photo op., but do be mindful of car traffic on the road.
We stopped at the Dairy Queen in the town of Oakridge for ice cream just before the end, but you can always cut it short and roll right back to the park (which would cut off about 3.5 miles).
If you have time, do not skip the opportunity for a refreshing cold plunge, soak or swim in the Willamette River by the bridge in the park.
Laura & Rose
Laura Karpinski and Rose Barcklow are the creators of Gravel Bike Adventures. Click on the About page to learn more about them.
