FALL CAMP: MCKENZIE BRIDGE, OR

September 25-28, 2025

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW

ABOUT FALL CAMP

​At Special Blend Gravel Fall Camp, we'll spend three days riding through the lush Willamette National Forest, enjoying some of the best gravel roads in Oregon alongside inspiring views of the Cascade Mountains. We'll finish each day at Horse Creek Lodge, where we will recover, relax, enjoy catered meals, drink good coffee, and sit around the campfire to share knowledge and experiences.

Be sure to bring your climbing legs to camp, and be ready to make descending your strategic advantage. While there is some flat terrain, we won't spend much time there; we're headed straight for the hills!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 3.5 days of riding, education, and community
  • World-class gravel routes, complete aid stations, and mechanical support
  • Small group sizes/instruction with awesome professional coaches
  • Daily education and Q&A sessions
  • Dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
  • Breakfast on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • Lunch/Recovery Bar Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • Various lodging options
  • Awesome goodie bag!
PRICE: $1770 - $3050 depending on lodging option at Horse Creek Lodge

We want to create an immersive experience for all campers, one where we are all as present as we can be. In this effort, we ask that you leave your non-camper friends, partners, kiddos, and pets at home.
Riders listening to a coach alongside a gravel road
Riders cycling on a gravel road amid pine trees

THE RIDING

The McKenzie River Canyon is majestic; the light, the forest, the wildlife, the amazing network of forest roads, all combine with Horse Creek Lodge make this the ideal place for gravel camp.

While there is some flat terrain in the canyon itself, we won't spend much time there; bring your climbing legs to camp because we'll head for the hills and tackle some big climbs. They may feel never-ending as they wind their way up to vistas that provide sweeping views of the Cascade Range and the McKenzie River Canyon below.

Yep, it will be hard, but the views, and snacks at the top, will be worth it.

THE EDUCATION

During your rides, our professional coaches will help you improve your skills, including group riding, body positioning, cornering, braking, climbing and descending, and riding over washboard. As the ride progresses, we will naturally break into pace groups, each with a coach, and we promise, you will never be the last one on the road.

We also host afternoon education sessions covering nutrition, tire choice, PSI selection, basic bike maintenance, and how to use your cycling computer.
A mechanic giving education lessons beside her work van
Campers sitting around a campfire chatting.

ALL THE EXTRAS

We want your experience at Special Blend Gravel Camp to push you just a little out of your comfort zone (because that is where the growth happens), and we also want it to be a time you can tune out of all of “life’s” responsibilities and you can just focus on you and riding your bike.

Once you arrive at camp, your only job is to eat, sleep and ride. We provide catered meals, top-notch aid stations, mechanical support, a recovery lounge, lots of snacks, beverages, and even an afternoon of massages.

We take over the entire Horse Creek Lodge, so we have space to spread out, relax, and feel comfortable.

There will be time to hit the on site pump track, soak in the river, or sit around an evening campfire and make s'mores.

THE LODGING

There are a variety of lodging options available at Horse Creek Lodge.

Most are shared, meaning you can bunk with an old friend, be paired with a new one, or pay a premium for single occupancy.

To learn more about the lodging options at Horse Creek Lodge, please visit our lodging page HERE.

Email hello@specialblendgravel.com with questions, and we will work to ensure this process is easy and stress-free.
Campers sitting around the lodge eating breakfast
PAST CAMPERS
  • Frankie
    Fall 2022

    Special Blend Gravel is really really really worth the value. I don't know how to express this more; I would easily pay double and still feel my expectations were exceeded. Everyone was so nice and the coaches, wow - they were freaking, like pro racers and SO nice.

  • Winnie
    Fall 2022

    When I signed up for my first SBG camp in McKenzie Bridge, I expected to learn some skills, ride scenic routes, and meet a few cool people—but I had no idea how transformative the experience would be. The incredible one-on-one coaching helped me go from white-knuckling descents to confidently riding in the drops, while the supportive community pushed me just enough to level up and have even more fun. Between the breathtaking routes and the lifelong friendships I made, I can confidently say there’s something truly magical about McKenzie Bridge and the SBG experience.

  • Anita
    Fall 2022

    SBG Camp is a supportive and safe environment to push your limits and get tips from some of the best pro riders in our country! I am leaving with new knowledge and lasting friendships! I can't wait to return for more.

CAMP SCHEDULE

THURSDAY
Arrive at Horse Creek Lodge for social hour and to settle in. We’ll kick things off with a welcome to camp and what-to-expect intro session followed by dinner. Before we hit the hay, we’ll prep you for tomorrow’s ride and answer any questions.

FRIDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head up into the Willamette National Forest for an amazing ride. Today’s ride will focus a bit on riding in a group, but mainly climbing, braking efficiencies, and line choice.

Plan for 4 hours on the bike before we return to Horse Creek Lodge for Lunch/Recovery Bar and a bit of downtime before the afternoon’s education session. We cap the day off with dinner and good conversation around the campfire.

Example ride: 37 miles, 2,700 ft of elevation

SATURDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out for our longest ride of camp. We’ll dial in our skills on some tricky corners and fast descents.

We have a special surprise for you at the end of today's ride and will have Lunch/Recovery Bar off-site. Upon our return to Horse Creek Lodge, we'll have time to relax and an evening coaches Q&As. We cap the day off with dinner and good conversation. Looking forward to the final ride tomorrow!

Example ride: 40 miles, 3,000 ft of elevation

SUNDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out for the last ride of camp and a chance to “put it all together”.

Lunch/Recovery Bar upon our return, followed by good-bye high-fives and hugs.

Example ride: 25 miles, 2,300 ft of elevation

OUR COACHES & STAFF

We bring together the country's best cyclists and support staff to instruct, encourage, and support our campers.
  • Annick Chalier
    • Professional Cycling Coach
    • Lover of all things bikes
    • Companion to Monkey Face
    Annick has been a cyclist since 2014, earning her way into the UCI professional ranks on the road in 2020. Since moving to the Columbia River Gorge, Annick has shifted her focus to gravel in order to take advantage of all of the terrain types this area has to offer. In addition to training and racing, Annick is a head coach with both Brave Endeavors and Ladies AllRide and finds incredible joy supporting others as they build their bike handling skill set, grow their confidence on the bike (and in life), and develop new ways to have fun in the woods!
  • CLAIRE REINERT
    • Seeker of challenge & adventure
    • Lover of the all night ride
    • Walter is her sidekick
    Claire's love of sport and movement started young and was channeled into soccer, where she found success at the collegiate level. After hanging up her cleats, Claire's love for riding bikes, especially gravel bike, over very long distances, began to blossom. She believes that to embrace gravel, it is necessary to "get comfortable with being uncomfortable and embrace the opportunity for growth", something that holds true on and off the bike. Claire has completed, among a myriad of other grueling races, the Unbound XL, Gravel Worlds Long Voyage three times.
  • JANEL SPILKER
    • Recovering professional roadie
    • Adventure seeker
    • Liv Cycling Ambassador
    Janel is a recovering world tour professional road racer who knows a thing or two about racing gravel as well, having won Crusher in the Tushar and stood on the podium at Unbound. Working closely with Liv and Giant, as well as organizations such as the Michael P. Nosco Foundation and COTA, Janel hopes to help more people fall in love with bikes. Janel brings the stoke to every party and never leaves home without her infectious smile.
  • Yuri Hauswald
    • Gravel Hall of Fame
    • Elite Athlete Manager for GU Energy
    • Wander & gravel racer
    After a successful collegiate career playing lacrosse for UC Berkeley, and armed with a degree in American Literature, Yuri discovered the joys of mountain biking while teaching English at a prep school in Pennsylvania, and hasn't looked back. He's two-time solo winner of the 24-Hours of Adrenaline and 9th place finisher at the 2006 24-Hour World Championships. He turned pro at the tender age of 36, won the 2015 Unbound when he was 44, and is currently obsessed with everything gravel.
  • Serena Bishop Gordon
    • Camp co-founder
    • Off-road adventurer
    • Lover of coffee and chocolate
    Serena has been racing professionally for more than a decade, specializing in mountain bikes and gravel. She is a great descender and understands the importance of the details when it comes to off-road performance.
    Serena lives in Bend with her husband, Ben, and medium-sized pup, Piper, and loves her morning coffee almost as much as she loves riding her bike. She is stoked to share what she knows with others and elevate women in the sport of gravel racing!
  • Sean Cochren
    • Tire enthusiast
    • Coffee connoisseur
    • Always with snacks
    Don’t let Sean’s IG handle fool you, he is anything but a spectator. Sean plays so many invaluable roles to so many; quietly, and behind the scenes, he makes magic happen. Sean’s love of life and compassionate, encouraging and thoughtful demeanor elevates those around him to bring their best self and to find their hidden motivation that just needed some unlocking. Sean is also the Marketing Manager for Schwalbe North America and our in-house tire guru.
  • Colleen Quindlen, Director of Logistics
    • Logistics Wizard
    • Champion for women in sport
    • Dog-mom to Tukka and Mr. Bobo
    For over a decade, Colleen Quindlen has played a pivotal role in the country's most significant cycling races. She spent seven years overseeing logistics and operations for Rebecca’s Private Idaho before transitioning to Breakaway Promotions in 2022, where she assumed the role of Director of Operations. In her current position, she manages the logistics and operations of major cycling events across North America, including the Oregon Trail, Gorge, Cascade, Lost and Found Gravel, and the Downieville Classic MTB Festival.
    Colleen's unwavering commitment to increasing women's participation in cycling is evident through her advocacy and implementation of various programs and opportunities catering to riders of all abilities and backgrounds. Her dedication to Special Blend Gravel is unmatched, and camp would not be possible without her.
    Colleen resides in Hailey, Idaho, with her husband Billy Cook and their two adorable dogs, Tukka and Mr. Bobo.
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW

OUR PARTNERS

A huge thank you to our sponsors.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge Special Blend Gravel Camp, held in McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, within the Willamette National Forest, is situated on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya, Molalla, Chinook, and other Indigenous Peoples. As we immerse ourselves in the beauty of this region, we recognize the historical and ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous communities. We express gratitude to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, and all Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded these lands.

During our time here, we commit to being respectful stewards, fostering unity, inclusivity, and gratitude for the diverse Indigenous cultures that have shaped this land.