BREATHTAKING BEAUTY FROM YOUR BICYCLE SEAT, Gravel Grinder, Sisters, Oregon, Guest post by Matt Arnold

Gravel Grinder bike race, Sisters, Oregon, June 2021

My son Matt loves to cycle. In June 2021, he and a friend bicycled in the mountains near Sisters, Oregon, in a race/ride called Gravel Grinder, that took them over miles of back country roads and trails.

Matt on his bike.

As the promotion promised, “On this gravel adventure you’ll find roads less traveled, mounting challenges, and smack in the middle of it all, the breathtaking beauty of Oregon.” Matt has graciously shared his photos of the trip with The Intrepid Tourist. Here are a few of them.

Riding through a thinned forest.

Every day they got up at dawn to begin the day's ride, starting early to try to avoid the worst heat of the day. Although it is always warm in June, the temperatures that year were warmer than usual, reaching more than 100 degrees by afternoon. At the end of each day's route, riders collapsed in the tent village provided by the sponsors of the ride. (You could choose your own level for the ride, from the most difficult route with the steepest climbs, to the less difficult. But according to Matt, even the "easier" route was challenging. In five days participants rode 345-363 miles, including a total of 29,657 to 34,174 feet of climbing.)

Tent village.
"We take care of all of the details and support you on your journey- from tents to gourmet food to professional massage and nightly entertainment- you'll come away sore, accomplished, and with unmatched tales and friendship from the trail."

 

 

Flat road along a stream.

 

Bird on a rock.

Shallow lake.

You can find out about the current season's Gravel Grinder on the internet.

Snow-capped mountains in the distance.