The first Saturday in May on the Oregon Coast in Waldport
April 24th, 2021 Update
To find balance in life and events, we need to give you a bit more info about the Oregon Coast Gravel Epic. The balance part could be tire size and or choice or places to stay and eat for you and your friends and family the first weekend in May. Please consider our new 2021 double gravel event weekend with a trip to Florence on Sunday! We aim to move the second day around every few years and keep things gravelicious!
Consider this one part FAQ page and one part tourism and local area insider info. All the best for uninterrupted time with your best friend between your legs, your bike!
Please look for the start list online and email us at least 5 days out if you are changing courses.
Not participating?
Not part of the ride? Waldport and Yachats has so many options to choose from for you or your whole family. Local accommodations, the Beach and many other ways to unplug this May with your friend or loved one.
Whats Included
A well marked and substantially supported gravel grinder event with two aid stations for the 37 Mile Son of Abomination and 2 fully stocked aid stations in 2021 for the 60 mile Abomination and 1 fully stocked for the Son of Abomination. Bring your new Gravel Bike, Mountain bike or Cross Bike if your BOLD! We do recommend 38MM tires for the braking surface and rough conditions.
- Custom Oregon Coast Gravel Epic Woolie Boolie Socks from Defeet
- $10.00 post event meal voucher for SKOSH (New Local place in Waldport)
- Mechanical support on course and prior to event from Landspeed's Fix and Green Bike Co-op
- Aid station support with 1 drop bag location for the Abomination Route aid 2 at Buck creek(1 gallon Zip Lock baggie with your number) 2pm cut off
- Chip Timing and Live Results on the results tab at Mudslinger Events
- Custom 1st place awards for the overall for both distances and podium glassware starting at 1pm at the Waldport Community Center. Podium Glasses for top 3 in all age groups
- Chance to win a set of Rolf Prima wheels and other prizes from Panaracer and more
- One great time on your bike
FAQ
Where to stay?
Stay local in Waldport at the Waldport Inn or many options in Yachats and the surrounding area including the KOA campground and State parks! Mckinnley's Rv has dry camping and reservable space online for 29.00
LINK to local accommodations and visitor information
Local Chamber of Commerce in Waldport LINK and Local KOA Campgrounds LINK
Waldport and Yachats
Yachats is the Gem of the Coast, and Waldport is where the forest meets the sea. We ride in and through the forest, so we start in Waldport normally Saturday am at the Waldport Community Center at 265 NW Hemlock St, Waldport, OR 97394 and host Packet Pickup the day prior with our friends at Yachats Brewing in Yachats, which is a 15-minute drive from Waldport. FOR 2021 THIS EVENT IS A SELF START 4 MILES FROM WALDPORT OFF OF ECKMAN RD. INGORE THE TOP HALF OF THIS FOR A NORMAL START THAT WE WILL BE BACK AT IN 2022.
WALDPORT AND YACHATS are only 20 minutes apart or 9 miles by car so get that house or hotel set for Friday night and or both nights and relax after your Son of Abomination route or Abomination route. Waldport is south of Newport and north or Yachats and accused from the 101. If you are planning on the double weekend remember day two has 39 miles of timed racing in Florence in 2021 and or 33 miles depending if you ride the long Erik the Red loop or Shorter leif Erikson loop.
The Routes
DANGER
YES you can be seriously hurt and or not make it back unless you follow a few simple rules.
- Rules of the road which means cars can be coming up at you and cause you serious bodily injury or death. We place signs alerting traffic and while traffic is lite, it is present at any moment. You have NO protection from traffic so if this is not for you please do not participate in this event. This includes merging from Gravel Roads to Pavement for right hand turns and anytime on your bike.
- Please use a blinking light for the HWY sections when riding out and after the remote timing.
- If you crash with no cell service it will take up to 90 minutes to get to you or even longer. We have sag support and cut off's to keep track of you
- Know your speed. Some of the corners come up so quick if you don't brake you will crash and if you brake too hard you will crash.
- When wet and not wet potholes, loose gravel, tree's branches and everything including Sasquatch is out to get you! Smile your doing something pretty special.
- Last but not least if you sign up for the Shorter loop do not go long! You can opt to do the shorter loop if signed up for the long by asking for a Have a Nice Day bib at aid 1 and pinning this to your right side of your body. Please tell the finish if you sized down your effort!
At 60 miles long with 6677 ft of climbing, the Abomination route more than lives up to its name and will take 3.5-7hrs for most. This route features 2 aid stations in 2021 plus extra water 10 miles .
The Son of Abomination is shorter at 37 miles, it is still physically demanding with 3,740 ft of climbing and 3-4 hrs of riding and just as amazing without quite as many hills. This route features 1 aid station and a neutral water and snack 10 miles from the finish. Best plan until 2022 when we bring back the extra aid station is to snag a PB and J from Aid 1 and put it in your Jersey!
Course Markings
Event signs will mark the way every few miles and 5 mile markers. Please note we mark the longer course with the 5 mile markers. The shorter Son of Abomination course will skip 20 miles, but has an equally if not worse gravel downhill after aid 1 including a GIANT pothole that will eat your front wheel on pavement. Please use caution.
The online maps on the website have the GPS file embedded for you to download or use the ride with GPS ap on your smart phone. Please remember that our sweep riders and vehicles are pulling down the course so if you get behind our sweep riders or vehicles you are on your own to get back on track.
This event is timed to track your progress and to award some really cool podium glasses starting at 1pm while you are partaking in Yachats Brewing beer for those over 21 and SKOSH or use your voucher for Grand Central Pizza in town as well or participating restaurants listed online
We have live results on mudslingerevents.com for the following age groups for both routes.
15-24,25-39,40-49,50-54,55-59,60-64,65-609,70-74,75+ Age is 12/31/Current Year
Our events feature aid stations with Hammer Nutrition on course and a host of other goodies for a great day on a gravel bike or hardtail MTB! Tire selection for this event is 32MM or larger minimum with 38MM-40MM recommended.
Drop bags
All riders can drop a 1 gallon zip lock bag at Packet Pickup Friday or Saturday. Please place your rider number and last name on it. This bag could include special food if you are food sensitive or an extra water bottle. We will bring the gear back by 4pm
Aid Stations
Single Serve Water, Sandwich makings, Nutella, and other delicious offerings at each aid station. Bike support is also offered at aid stations from Green Bike Co-op at aid ALPHA and Landspeed's Fix at AID BRAVO. Oregon Coast Bank is supporting the following of participants on the Son of Abomination route, and volunteers will sag helping you just off the back in the Abomination route. Please remember to mask up in the aid stations if interacting with our personnel or volunteers.
All rider's times will stop for results 7 miles from the town of Waldport in 2021. After grabbing a Mini Coke head down to the 101 and roll 3 miles back to waldport and stop by and pick up your award. Normally we have an announcer to welcome you back and gathering. 2022 will be the gathering time!
The Oregon Coast Gravel Epic is the kickoff event of the Oregon Triple Crown Series of the premier, and challenging events each May and June. Do one or do them all with the Oregon Triple Crown Pass that gives you 10% off this event if you sign up for the pass before this event.
This event is being produced in cooperation with the communities of Waldport and sponsor Oregon Coast Bank and Yachats on the central Oregon Coast and with the support of The Peoples Coast and multiple fire and agency support.
Credits:
Harry Apelbaum Studios