Gravel Rides For Everyone
The Dirty Freehub “All Access Ride Guides” are designed with inclusivity in mind: these online guides cater to a diverse range of cyclists – from adaptive athletes and eBikers to seniors facing aerobic challenges, those returning to cycling after a hiatus, beginners, and families looking to cycle together. The guides feature routes that are shorter, have minimal elevation gain, are easily accessible (not remote), and traverse wider roads. This makes finding and enjoying great gravel bicycle routes in Oregon easier and more enjoyable for everyone.
Click to:
- View a list of published All Access Ride Guides.
- Get details about our All Access Launch Events.
- Order a printed copy of the guidebooks.
- Watch a recorded webinar featuring program launch details, an introduction to the cover artist, an in-depth explanation of route criteria, a walkthrough of using the Ride Guides, and more.
The Ride Guides include educational information on history, culture and the environment, downloadable maps, and details that help cyclists select a route appropriate for their level. In addition, the routes will be included in a printed guide designed to inspire cyclists to ride new areas and for cyclists to carry with them on a ride so they can learn about points of interest along the way. (Guide books are due out in April 2025.)
According to Executive Director Linda English, “Over our ten years of providing Ride Guides to gravel cyclists, we have always received feedback from a variety of cyclists that some of our routes can be too long and demanding. We are excited to both help grow the sport of gravel cycling with more entry-level routes and also inspire cyclists who need shorter, easier routes.”
“The project was initiated when we realized that with the various organizations that offer curated gravel bicycle guides, we only found three guides across the entire state of Oregon that mapped to our All Access criteria.”
To create the guides, Dirty Freehub is investing $75,000 into the project, with funding from individuals and sponsors. Travel Oregon is contributing $96,000, with $30,000 reserved for distribution and printing. The printed guides will be distributed through tourism centers, bicycle shops, and the Dirty Freehub online store.
So, what exactly is gravel cycling? Gravel cycling uses a bicycle that is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bicycle. Cyclists ride on a combination of paved and unpaved roads, pathways, etc. Gravel cycling has attracted a huge following around the world as cyclists look for ways to escape the dangerous conflict between cars and cyclists and to expand the areas they ride.
According to English, “Oregon is an amazing place for gravel cycling. Our state is loaded with small roads that were created for mining, forestry, ranching and access to outdoor recreation. We have a huge variety of terrain, often with amazing views of the mountains.”
Gravel bikes are the second fastest-growing segment of bike sales, just behind eBikes (also included within this project’s scope). In mountain bike hot spot areas like Bend, Oregon, the ratio of mountain bike sales to gravel bike sales is 1:1.
The All Access Ride Guides are also a perfect solution to support the eBike community. All of the routes will be 100% eBike accessible. This is important in that most mountain bike trails within the state of Oregon do not allow eBikes.
The funding awarded to Dirty Freehub was part of Travel Oregon’s 2023 Competitive Grants Program. Dirty Freehub was one of 56 recipients. Travel Oregon awarded $3.6 million in funding through the program; the money comes from the Oregon state transient lodging tax established by the Oregon Legislature in 2003. This grant aims explicitly to expand tourism infrastructure to be more accessible and inclusive, funding projects through an equity lens around accessibility and inclusion for underserved and under-resourced communities.
Dirty Freehub is a 501(c)3 non-profit with over 14,000 miles of curated gravel Ride Guides across the Western United States.
Our Social Missions:
- Inspiration, Accessibility, & Community. Inspiring people to get out and ride—promoting health, joy, and well-being. Making cycling accessible for all skill levels and athletic abilities so that every rider can find their perfect adventure. Fostering a strong cycling community that brings people together, combats loneliness, and encourages lasting friendships.
- Connection: Connecting cyclists to the culture, history, and heritage of where they ride.
- Bridging the Urban/Rural Divide: Creating opportunities for positive interactions between urban and rural people through everyday activities and chance encounters.
- Economic Impact: Positively impacting the economies of the towns that we ride through by spending with locally owned businesses.
- Awareness of Nature: Raising cyclists’ appreciation of the plants, animals, and landscapes they encounter, encouraging mindful and responsible riding.
- Stewardship: Performing and soft surface tread and trail maintenance.
- Industry Influence: Inspiring the bike industry to support these missions and make a positive social impact.
All Access is a registered trademark by Dirty Freehub.
