Gravel Racing in the Pacific Northwest

There are rides and races that we want to do because they are famous. Riding over the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix or the dusty strade bianche of Tuscany once in our lives is something many of us dream of. That’s why there are amateur versions of these races. Part of the appeal is riding with hundreds or thousands of cyclists from all over the world who share our dream.

And then there are events that are just great. Rides and races that nobody spends much effort promoting, because they are grass-roots events, and the organizers already have their hands full with creating a great experience for everybody who shows up. These events are inclusive of everybody because they represent the local community. Seasoned racers who know their power numbers by heart mingle with riders who’ve never even contemplated putting a power meter on their bikes. At the start, they all share the excitement about the ride ahead. At the finish, they reminisce about the shared experience—no matter whether they sprinted for first or rode with friends at a casual pace. Different course lengths allow all riders to share the experience and challenge themselves to the best of their abilities (but not beyond).

Few courses are more spectacular than the routes of the two Gravel Unravel races in the Olympic Mountains, not far from Seattle. The first one, Bon Jon Pass Out, is just a month away. As the name says, it goes over Bon Jon Pass. In fact, if you choose the long option, you get to climb the pass twice, from different sides.

It takes a lot to impress a seasoned pro like Ted King, who’s ridden multiple Tours de France. Yet when he came out last year to see for himself what gravel racing looks like in the Pacific Northwest, he could hardly believe what he saw: “I had pre-ridden the shortest distance, the 30 mile race, the day before the race, and, boy, was I impressed! I was also blown away by the challenge. Especially while trying hard to keep the powder dry for the next day’s competition, the first climb up towards Bon Jon Pass was just so long! I think it was approaching two hours for me to spin up the climb, topping off a bit shy of 4,000 feet, all the way from sea level.”

Ted really liked the twisty, muddy double-track near the top of the pass. The “screaming-fast descents” also left a lasting impression, with “wheel-eating potholes which would end your day badly if you weren’t paying close attention.”

Even though the racing at the front was close—Ted won the race by mere seconds—he was most impressed by the positive spirit: “There’s no showiness to this event, just people out having a good time on two wheels.”

If Bon Jon Pass Out is challenging, then the other race in the series, Why-Not-Chee, is off the charts. The long course climbs high into the Olympic Mountains, skirting the edge of the National Park beyond which there are simply no roads. The riding is epic, the scenery breathtaking, and the camaraderie unequalled.

This area is so remote that there are no accommodations, so you’ve got to camp to do this race or leave very early to drive to the start. Part of the race fee pays for the organizers to haul in water for the racers. Part of it also pays for lunch/early dinner after the race. (The same is true for Bon Jon Pass Out.)

If there’s a race that deserves the title ‘the most epic race you’ve never heard about,’ it’s Why-Not-Chee. There are also shorter courses for riders who just want to enjoy riding in one of the most remote parts of North America—and yet just a few hours from Seattle.

What we like especially is that these races are organized by a woman—Lorrie, who also directs running and multi-sport races, together with Buck, who runs a small bike shop on the Olympic Coast. All too often, bike racing is an activity for (usually white) males, but not here. Lorrie gets it, and that’s probably why these races have no fewer than 20% female participants—more than most bike races. There is so much to like here that we decided to become title sponsors for both races, as part of our giving back to the community that makes our sport so much fun.

The nature of these events—especially the narrow, steep mountain roads—limit the number of participants. As I write this, there are still spots for both events. And even though last year’s Bon Jon Pass Out was rainy, the dry spring we’ve had gives us a good chance it’ll be sunny this year. Hurry and sign up—you won’t regret it!

Details:

• Bon Jon Pass Out: June 14, 2025. Courses: Short (32 miles), Medium (55 miles), Long (80 miles)
• Why-Not-Chee: July 26, 2025. Courses: Micro (17 miles), Short (36 miles), Medium (42 miles), Long (77 miles)

Further Reading:

• Ted King’s report from last year’s Bon Jon Pass Out
• Riding and racing the Why-Not-Chee