Gravel Rides
“It is the best gravel in Oregon, no doubt. And amazing views to match!”
- Brent Peterson, Seattle WA
WARNING: You may encounter friendly locals, birds of prey, bighorn sheep, wide open roads, wild flowers, water features, cattle guards, and cows and their droppings. Welcome to Lake County.
The 2024 Tour de Outback gravel route is a 48 mile ride (almost 3000 ft elevation gain) that takes you up to a vista point at just above 6600 ft. All rides, including the road bike rides, will start in the quintessential ranching community of Adel, Oregon (population 106, elevation 4548 ft). Adel is located just east of Lakeview, Oregon.
Riders will start and end on a few miles of pavement. Once you leave the pavement, you will ride through an old ranch headquarters, a corral and over a cleared dike to the gravel. As you head south towards California and Nevada, you will meander through ranch lands, canyons and a desert with sunflowers and Indian Paintbrush in bloom.
Did you ride this last year? We’ve changed it up a bit to add a special ride through the forest to a spot where you will be able to have a front row viewing seat of the 8000+ ft Drake Peak, Crane Mountain and Bidwell Mountain.
Is 48 miles too long? Or perhaps the legs just don’t have it in them that day? This is an out and back route once you hit the gravel, so you may turn around whenever it feels right. And for those that don’t like out and back routes, beware. What you will not have seen as you ride south is the absolute stunning view of Hart Mountain on the return trip.
This is truly a route of unparalleled vistas in every way!
The deets for the gravel ride:
48 miles/2935 elevation gain
Aid Stations along the routes will be manned by Lake County Search & Rescue units.
Each participant must wear a helmet that meets CPSC requirements.