#Geology

Rocks are best admired, studied, photographed and down right enjoyed from a bike. Our very own Rock Doc, KimE (yes, she has a PhD in geology) picked out her favorite routes with interesting geological features to share in this collection. Our Ride Guides are stuffed full of fascinating geology facts that will have you tossing around phrases like basalt, hoodoo, metamorphic and caldera in no time.

Bay of Fires

5 Star Route
St Helens, Tasmania
There are not many places left in the world that have gravel roads that lead out to beaches, a gravel cyclist’s fantasy ride. This ride hugs the coast making several stops along the way to take in the stunning views of the Bay of Fires conservation area, then cuts inland through Doctors Peak Forest Reserve and finally rolls through farmlands back to St Helens.
Route: Lollipop | 44 mi
Gain: 3,000 ft
Surface: ~ 50% gravel, 50% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Rural

Billy’s Playground

5 Star Route
Sisters, Oregon
Mixture of ponderosa forest, views of the Cascade Mountains, views of Lake Billy Chinook, mountains, and an old cemetery that is fun to blast through.
Route: Loop | 67 mi
Gain: 3,800 ft
Surface: 50% paved, 50% gravel / dirt roads
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote

Bunchgrass

5 Star Route
~ Bend, Oregon
Quiet roads ... with big old trees and ridge line views of the surrounding snow capped mountains. The highlights include: Wolf Rock, the largest monolith in Oregon, some sweet single-track riding on the McKenzie Trail, and a visit to the Trail Bridge Reservoir.
Route: Lollipop | 38 mi
Gain: 4,100 ft
Surface: ~ 70% Gravel Rd, 5% Single-Track, 25% Paved Rd
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote

Creek to Peak

5 Star Route
~ Bend, Oregon
A spectacular (and demanding!) ride with all kinds of colorful natural wonders: the many waterfalls and cascades of Paulina Creek, Paulina Lake, Paulina Peak, and Newberry Crater. Shorter Option (see Notes & Options tab): 22 miles / 2100 feet of gain.
Route: Tootsie Roll | 32 mi
Gain: 3,800 ft
Surface: 25% gravel, 25% single track, 50% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote

Dandelion

5 Star Route
Fossil, Oregon
An easy, scenic ride with a few punchy climbs. A great intro to gravel ride. Plus this starts in Fossil which is a real gem.
Route: Loop | 22 mi
Gain: 2,400 ft
Surface: 45% gravel road, 55% tarmac
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Rural

Donnybrook

5 Star Route
~ Madras, Oregon
A scenic canyon, big views of the mountains, the ghost town of Ashwood and the historic Donnybrook schoolhouse (built in 1914).
Route: Loop | 54 mi
Gain: 4,400 ft
Surface: 35% gravel road, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Remote

Horn of the Metolius

5 Star Route
~ Sisters, Oregon
Explores the “Horn” of the Metolius river — the area defined by a sweeping 25 mile bend in the river — an area designated as “Wild and Scenic.” It’s a hard rugged ride with river hugging views.
Route: Loop | 53 mi
Gain: 4,500 ft
Surface: ~ 80% gravel, 10% single track, 10% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Extremely Remote

Macks Canyon

5 Star Route
Maupin, Oregon
A windy dirt road that clings to the banks of the Deschutes River offering up big views in a remote area of Oregon. A simple out and back.
Route: Out & Back | 34 mi
Gain: 950 ft
Surface: 95% gravel road, 5% tarmac
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Rural

McKenzie Tough!

Development Route
Sisters, Oregon
Big views, a stop at one of the clearest lakes in the Cascade Mountains, scenic trail riding along the McKenzie River, a long, paved climb that twists and turns up the Cascade Mountains topping out at an observatory, and an [almost] no-brakes descent back to the start.
Route: Loop | 79 mi
Gain: 7,300 ft
Surface: ~ 50% gravel / dirt road, 5% single track, 45% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote

Priest Hole

5 Star Route
~ Prineville, Oregon
Start at the famous Painted Hills, then roll through farmland and along the John Day River. Punchy climbs with loads of Kodak picture-taking moments.
Route: Loop | 42 mi
Gain: 3,500 ft
Surface: ~ 50% gravel, 50% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote

Rabbit Ears

5 Star Route
~ Medford, Oregon
Old growth forest with granddaddy trees, the enfolding Rabbit Ears rock formation that will leave you inspired, and a jaunt up to a lookout tower that will have at least half your group pushing their bikes!
Route: Loop | 30 mi
Gain: 4,000 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Extremely Remote

Steens Mountain Loop Road

5 Star Route
~ Burns, Oregon
The Steens Mountain Loop Road departs the tiny, historic town of Frenchglen and climbs up Oregon’s eighth-tallest mountain on a tour of massive gorges, vast panoramas and one of the most spectacular lakes in the Pacific Northwest.
Route: Loop | 72 mi
Gain: 7,300 ft
Surface: 85% gravel, 15% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote

Twenty Mule Team

5 Star Route
Death Valley National Park, California (South)
A short and easy mixed ride through Twenty Mule Team Canyon, used in the filming of several Star Wars films. Spectacular shadows and colors.
Route: Lollipop | 7 mi
Gain: 700 ft
Surface: 40% gravel, 60% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry

Wallowas Tour

Bikepacking Route
NE Oregon, Oregon
A five-day, bikepacking route circling and crossing the Wallowa Mountains in Northeastern Oregon. Spectacular mountain and valley scenery.
Duration: 5 Days
Route: Loop | 300 mi
Gain: 21,000 ft
Surface: 35% gravel, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote

Water & Lava

5 Star Route
Bend, Oregon
The gem of Bend … the best entry-level gravel ride in the area. Includes meandering along the Deschutes river, a stop at roaring Benham Falls, a “grunt” up to Lava Butte (optional) and and easy jaunt over to Sunriver.
Route: Loop | 31 mi
Gain: 1,400 ft
Surface: 45% gravel, 20% single-track, 35% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry

WRIAD (White Rim in a Day)

5 Star Route
~ Moab, Utah
Nestled within the rugged beauty of Canyonlands National Park in Utah is this iconic 100-mile loop. It promises a perfect balance of heart-pounding ascents, exhilarating descents, and awe-inspiring scenery at every turn. This one-day challenge demands grit, determination, and a healthy dose of wanderlust.
Route: Loop | 100 mi
Gain: 8,800 ft
Surface: ~ 90% gravel, 10% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote