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COVID-19 Update:
On 10/6/2020, Governor Inslee issued Reopening Requirements for races and rides. The new guidelines include the ability to have races during Phase 2. This means that at this point we are planning for live events for 2021! See the bottom of this page for the specifics on what is changing with the new guidelines.
About The Hoh-ly Roller
This course starts and ends at the world famous Hoh River. We hope you like the color green because you are going to be seeing a lot of it. Green trees, green moss, green hills. This is the heart of one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world and you are going to love rolling through it. The Hoh-ly Roller will have long sections of flowy gravel and degraded pavement, combined with some serious hills.
On the long course there are hills of steepness that force you to stare at your toes for what can seem like endless turns on your cranks, with that dreaded question lurking… “should I walk?” We have been told that the climbs on the long course are “the most challenging climbs of any event in the region—by far.”
The Hoh Rainforest and wilderness coast of the Olympic Peninsula is such an iconic area to visit (and a really long drive) that we recommend bringing the whole family! Take them deep into the rainforest inside Olympic National Park. Or take a short drive (only 10 minutes) to Ruby Beach and south from there to Kalaloch beaches. This is an incredible area and you will want to schedule in some time for these wild gems.
The Courses
Tip: each of these routes is no joke, even the short one – there is a lot of climbing involved, folks.
Important: there is very spotty cell coverage on the course – you will want to download the tracks onto your phone ahead of time.
Short course – 26 miles (Start Time 9:00 a.m.)
This ride climbs 3,400 feet, and is approximately 90% gravel / with the rest paved or “rustic” paved.
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Medium course – 44 miles (Start Time 8:30 a.m.)
This ride climbs 4,800 feet, and is approximately 80% gravel, with the rest paved or “rustic” paved.
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Long course – 66 miles (Start Time 8:00 a.m.)
The miles might seem short for a long course, but the difficulty more than makes up for it. We have been told by test riders that the climbs on the long course are “the most challenging climbs of any event in the region—by far.” With almost 9,000 feet of gain and extended up and downhill grades of 20%, this ride is only for the true masochist. This ride is 80% gravel, with the rest paved or “rustic” paved.
After crossing the Clearwater River and cruising along the Solleks River, things start to get spicy as you head up toward Kloochman Rock. Then just when you think you will get a break for a bit, you pass Yahoo Lake right into a steep technical descent into Stequaleho Creek right before another grueling climb. Know your limits before you sign up for this one!
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Giving Back
A portion of race proceeds for this race will go to Sarge’s Veteran’s Support in Forks, WA. The Mission of Sarge’s Place is to “heal the wounds, to restore dignity, hope and self-sufficiency to all homeless Veterans in need and to significantly reduce homelessness and poverty among our local Veterans.”
Check In:
- You can check in at Race Central (see below for location) on Friday, April 30, starting at 4pm, and on Saturday morning, May 1.
Parking:
Main Parking and Race Central: https://goo.gl/maps/v5iJaKpfekakYzp58
There is no sign at the turn, but it is the next road after G&L Shake Road:
https://goo.gl/maps/2UMPHvo9mbg5WYnY6
Where to Stay:
Camp With Us at the Race Hub! See full information below.
Olympic National Park (info here)
- Kalaloch Campground
- Hoh Campground
Washington DNR (info here):
- Copperbottom Mine
- Cottonwood
- Hoh Oxbow
- South Fork Hoh
- Upper Clearwater
If you don’t want to camp, check out this Lodging Directory from the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
Camping
Camp With Us at the Race Hub
6 Campsites Available
Campsites are $50.00 per night
8 people per site
Dogs MUST be on a leash AT ALL TIMES!!
Guests MUST PICK UP DOG POOP!!
Guest must take their own trash. LEAVE NO TRACE!!!
Check In is at 2pm – Check Out is at 11am.
Available camping between April 30th & May 1st only.
No POWER or WATER is available on site, this is dry camping.
Outhouses and portable toilets are available
Tent Camping is available for a discounted price $35 per night in designated areas only.
This is a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.
Please make camping arrangements through Maple Creek Outfitter.
Please leave a voice message with Maggie Boyd at: 360-775-8339. In your voice message please refer to Gravel Grinder Campsite, and we will return your call, with info on how to pay for your site, as well as details on the directions or any other questions you may have.
Mossy Hoh Bridge
Photo Credit Maggie Boyd
Photo Credit Maggie Boyd
Hohly Roller Bridge
Covid-19 Information
Washington State has issued the following requirements for racing:
https://www.governor.wa.gov/
To find out what Phase that Clallam County is in, visit:
https://coronavirus.wa.gov/
Race requirements include, but are not limited to:
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Wave starts and maximum participant caps
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Face coverings when not on race course (start / finish area)
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No congregating or after-party activities at the start / finish area – participants must leave the area after they finish the race
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Social distance of 6 feet while waiting to start, after finish, at hydration stations, and in line for portable toilets
Additionally, the various permitting agencies (city, county, state, federal, and liquor board) may have requirements on top of the state requirements issued by the governor. Please be patient with us, as we have to respond to constantly-changing guidelines from various agencies, so we will not know all of the details of each race until pretty close to the race date. All registered participants will be advised by email 1-2 weeks before the race regarding the details of what race day will look like.
Food/beer: Some races have food and beer at a location away from the start/finish area. Our ability to provide this, or in what form we will provide this, will depend on the rules in place for the location of the food/beer service, and the health and liquor board guidelines in place at the time for that location. Races that typically have food/beer at the finish line – GOAT Run and Big Hurt – are in September. At this time we are planning for business-as-usual for these races, but keep checking our website for updates.
VOLUNTEER
Gravel Unravel needs plenty of volunteers – if you are interested in helping out, please contact us at contact@peninsulaadventuresports.com
SPONSOR
Peninsula Adventure Sports could not host these events without the support and partnership of the local business community. Monetary donations as well as in-kind product or service donations serve as the backbone of these races. If you want to find out more about sponsorship, please contact us at contact@peninsulaadventuresports.com