ABOUT SPRING CAMP: April 11 - 14, 2024
At Special Blend Gravel Spring Camp, we'll spend three days riding amazing gravel roads on the Columbia Plateau, with just enough climbing to wake up the legs and just enough descending to hone your skills. We'll finish each day at the Balch Hotel, where we will recover, relax, enjoy catered meals, drink good coffee, and sit around the parlor to share knowledge and experiences.
During camp, we will ride many of the same roads used for the Gorge Gravel Grinder course, providing a “race preview” (and free entry) for those planning to race, and helping to prepare you for the gravel season ahead, whether that includes racing the entire Oregon Gravel Series, Lost & Found, Unbound, STB GRVL, The Last Best Ride, Spirit World, a bike packing trip, or big adventures with friends.
During camp, we will ride many of the same roads used for the Gorge Gravel Grinder course, providing a “race preview” (and free entry) for those planning to race, and helping to prepare you for the gravel season ahead, whether that includes racing the entire Oregon Gravel Series, Lost & Found, Unbound, STB GRVL, The Last Best Ride, Spirit World, a bike packing trip, or big adventures with friends.
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
- Recovery lounge
- Dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
- Breakfast Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Lunch/Recovery Bar Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- 3 nights at the Balch Hotel in Dufur, OR; private room - must select a lodging option when registering.
- Awesome goodie bag!
- Registration for Gorge Gravel Grinder included
- 25% discount on all Oregon Gravel Series Races
- VIP post-race tent after Gorge Gravel Grinder
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.
THE RIDING
Dufur, Oregon, situated on the Columbia Plateau, is center to an amazing network of gravel roads, winding through orchards and wheat fields with sweeping views of the Cascades. We include just enough climbing to bring your legs out of winter hibrination. These gravel roads are well-maintained and recieve a lot of sun exposure, making this the ideal spot for early season riding.
During camp, we will ride many of the same roads used for the Gorge Gravel Grinder course, providing a “race preview” (and free entry) for those planning to race, and helping to prepare you for the gravel season ahead whether that includes racing, a bike packing trip, or adventures with friends.
During camp, we will ride many of the same roads used for the Gorge Gravel Grinder course, providing a “race preview” (and free entry) for those planning to race, and helping to prepare you for the gravel season ahead whether that includes racing, a bike packing trip, or adventures with friends.
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.
We also host afternoon education sessions covering nutrition, tire choice, PSI selection, basic bike maintenance, and how to use your cycling computer.
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 Balch Hotel, so we have space to spread out, relax, and feel comfortable.
Work hard, recover better!
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 Balch Hotel, so we have space to spread out, relax, and feel comfortable.
Work hard, recover better!
THE LODGING
Spring camp is based out of the historic Balch Hotel. We take over the whole place, so we can spread out and relax.
Everyone will have a private room, however, most rooms have shared baths. You can select the lodging option of your choice when registering for camp.
Lodging options at the Balch Hotel:
Email hello@specialblendgravel.com with questions about lodging options. We will work to ensure this process is easy and stress-free.
To learn more about the lodging options at the Balch Hotel, please visit our lodging page HERE.
Everyone will have a private room, however, most rooms have shared baths. You can select the lodging option of your choice when registering for camp.
Lodging options at the Balch Hotel:
- Mountain View King, private bathroom
- Signature Queen, private bathroom
- Traditional Queen, shared bath
Email hello@specialblendgravel.com with questions about lodging options. We will work to ensure this process is easy and stress-free.
To learn more about the lodging options at the Balch Hotel, please visit our lodging page HERE.
PAST CAMPERS
- SarahSpring 2023
Over the course of the weekend, I was able to fine tune my skills but also came away with a sense of gratuity for the amazing community fostered by Serena. It is empowering to be around a group of strong women who share a passion. I would 100% recommend Special Blend Gravel Camp!
- Coach Sarah MaxSpring 2023
Coaching at Special Blend Gravel Camp this spring was one of the highlights of my year. Though most of the women didn't know each other, they became fast friends—something that was evident when the sound of their laughter and animated conversation. It was amazing to everyone pick up so many new skills and confidence in just a few days.
- LisaSpring 2023
Attending camp has been a life-changing experience for me! I not only went from being intensely afraid of descending on gravel to being excited about and crushing descents, but I have also made incredible friendships with coaches and participants that now extend beyond cycling. There isn’t a more supportive, open, well-organized environment for learning gravel skills and building community! I love camp so much, I haven’t missed one yet!
CAMP SCHEDULE
CAMP SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
Arrive at the Balch Hotel; Social hour and 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 out into the Gorge for the day’s amazing ride. Today’s ride will focus on riding in a group, climbing and braking efficiencies and line choice.
Plan for 3-4 hours on the bike before we return to the Balch hotel for Lunch/Recovery Bar and a bit of downtime before the afternoon’s education session. We cap the day off with dinner, good conversation, and of course dark chocolate in the recovery lounge.
Example ride: 45 miles, 3,500 ft of elevation
SATURDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge for our longest ride of camp. We’ll dial in our skills on some tricky corners and fast descents.
Lunch/Recovery Bar upon our return, followed by education sessions, massages, education sessions, and coaches Q&As. We cap the day off with dinner and good conversation. Looking forward to the final ride tomorrow!
Example ride: 52 mils, 4,300 ft of elevation
SUNDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge 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: 31 miles, 2,800 ft of elevation
Arrive at the Balch Hotel; Social hour and 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 out into the Gorge for the day’s amazing ride. Today’s ride will focus on riding in a group, climbing and braking efficiencies and line choice.
Plan for 3-4 hours on the bike before we return to the Balch hotel for Lunch/Recovery Bar and a bit of downtime before the afternoon’s education session. We cap the day off with dinner, good conversation, and of course dark chocolate in the recovery lounge.
Example ride: 45 miles, 3,500 ft of elevation
SATURDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge for our longest ride of camp. We’ll dial in our skills on some tricky corners and fast descents.
Lunch/Recovery Bar upon our return, followed by education sessions, massages, education sessions, and coaches Q&As. We cap the day off with dinner and good conversation. Looking forward to the final ride tomorrow!
Example ride: 52 mils, 4,300 ft of elevation
SUNDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge 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: 31 miles, 2,800 ft of elevation
Our Coaches
We bring together some of the best cyclists in the country to instruct, push, and cheer on our campers.
- Janel SpilkerIG: @janelspilker
- Recovering professional roadie
- Adventure seeker
- Liv Cycling Ambassador
- CLAIRE REINERT
- Seeker of perpetual challenge and adventure
- Lover of the all night ride
- Walter is her sidekick
- Serena Bishop GordonIG: @serenabg
- Camp founder
- Off-road adventurer
- Lover of coffee and chocolate
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! - Annick ChalierIG: @afreakie
- Professional Cycling Coach
- Lover of all things bikes
- Companion to Monkey Face
- Yuri HauswaldIG: @yhauswald
- Gravel Hall of Fame
- Elite Athlete Manager for GU Energy
- Wander & gravel racer
- Sean Cochran
- Tire enthusiast
- Coffee connoisseur
- Always with snacks
- Sarah SturmIG: @sarahsturmy
- Bike rider
- Racer & adventurer
- Living in the mountains of Southwest Colorado
JOIN OUR LIST.
Each month Serena shares tips, recipes, upcoming events, and great gravel routes to keep you inspired year-round.
OUR SPONSORS
A huge thank you to our sponsors.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge Special Blend Gravel Camp held in Dufur, Oregon, is situated on the traditional lands of the Wasco, Paiute, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, 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 Wasco, Paiute, Confederated Tribes of 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.
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.