Gravel Unravel - WhyNotChee

The Gravel Unravel Experience

Gravel Unravel is a 3-race gravel series on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas of Washington State. This series is brought to you by a partnership between Peninsula Adventure Sports, Bucks NW, and Night Owl Cycling. This event is designed for those who wish to challenge their physical abilities to the maximum while enjoying the lushness of Olympic National Forest and Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. Participants can ride short (25-35 miles), medium (45-55 miles), or long (65-80 miles) distances on majority gravel courses (percent varies by race/distance) while enjoying towering evergreens and vivid green moss and ferns. There are both competitive and non-competitive Gran Fondo style divisions, and all are welcome to give the Gravel Unravel a try on their own terms. Thank you to Title Sponsor Eleven Winery for making Gravel Unravel happen again for 2023!

• Race 1: Gamble Graveller - April 22, 2023 (Night Owl Cycling)
• Race 2: Bon Jon Pass Out - June 17, 2023 (Peninsula Adventure Sports)
• Race 3: Why-Not-Chee - July 22, 2023 (Bucks NW)

You can race/ride in just one of the events, or all three. For racers, scores will be combined from all three races for series points and prizes at the Why-Not-Chee race on July 22, 2023. Racing categories are Open, Open Masters (45+), Non-Binary, Womens Open, Womens Masters (45+), Juniors (under 18), and Singlespeed.

You can also Gravel Unravel in the non-competitive Gran Fondo style. Loosely translated from Italian as “the big challenge”, think of it as more of a group ride or tour. Set your own goal, be it to go fast or ride for fun, or heck just to finish! E-bikes are allowed in the non-competitive ride as a separate category.

Why-Not-Chee

Wynoochee Lake is a hidden gem on the South Side of Olympic National Park just outside the park boundary in National Forest on Chehalis ancestral lands. Built in 1972, the Wynoochee Dam is used for flood control, irrigation, and industrial water storage. Every course will take you around the lake in its entirety, including a mile of single-track on the Maidenhair Falls Trail, and you will discover this tucked-away gem for yourself.

The Wynoochee Lake area represents some of the deepest logging roots in the state with the last of the company-owned logging camps in the continental United States, Camp Grisdale, located just south of the lake. Experience this region home to the first peoples of Chehalis, and imagine the effort of the loggers who harvested these rugged landscapes and forests as you ride among the children of giants (Hemlock, Spruce, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar).

All roads in the Wynoochee Lake area are open to non-motorized use year-long and the courses only represent a small sampling of possible routes in the area. This area is remote and rugged with the nearest cell reception being nearly 40 minutes away unless you are up on the highest ridges.

Pricing:

• Short Course = $60
• Medium Course = $70
• Long Course = $80
• Juniors = $35 (all distances)
• $5 off each race when bundled (Bon Jon and Why-Not-Chee only. Gamble Graveller will have it's own registration with Night Owl Cycling)

What’s included in your Why-Not-Chee Out entry fee?

In addition to an epic outdoor experience in the far northwest corner, all participants receive a professional, well-organized event, custom race swag, RFID timing, a well-marked course, on-course snacks and medical support, mechanical support, post-race food and post-race food and drinks.

Camping

This year the race will be based out of Satsop Center. We have reserved the entire tent area, and you can sign up for a tent spot during the registration process. Cost is $10 and includes a shower token (normally $2). If you have a van, trailer, or RV, you can contact Tallmadge Dobbs at talmadgedobbs@gmail.com to reserve a spot (normally first come, first serve but we got special permission for race weekend!)

There is also Coho Campground on Wynoochee Lake which you can reserve here. Free dispersed camping is allowed on Olympic National Forest land according to these guidelines and regulations.

The Courses ** 2022 Courses - Courses subject to change for 2023**

EVERY course includes one mile of MANDATORY singletrack, 400 yards of which would be Intermediate/Difficult singletrack, the rest is Green/Easier

All courses are approximately 90% gravel surfaces - the RideWithGPS surface data is not accurate.

Why-Not-Chee Micro – 17 miles

• 17 miles, 1100′
• Water stations at approximately mile 9
• Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download
• Please not this course is majority gravel - the surface date on RideWithGPS is wrong

Why-Not-Chee Short – 28 Miles

• 28 miles, 1900′
• Water stations at approximately miles 9 and 21
• Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download
• Please not this course is majority gravel - the surface date on RideWithGPS is wrong

Why-Not-Chee Medium – 42 Miles

• 42 miles, 4300′
• Water stations at approximately miles 9 and 21
• Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download
• Please not this course is majority gravel - the surface date on RideWithGPS is wrong

Why-Not-Chee Long – 84 Miles

• 84 miles, 8900′
• There will be hydration/snack stations and portable toilet at approximately miles 9, 21, and 26 and 40 and water-only stations at approximately mile 58
• Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download
• Please not this course is majority gravel - the surface date on RideWithGPS is wrong