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, La Vogue Cyclery (still Buck!) 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.

We are grateful to our Series Sponsor Eleven Winery for making Gravel Unravel happen again for 2024!

• Race 1: Gamble Graveller - April 20, 2024 (Night Owl Cycling)
• Race 2: Bon Jon Pass Out - June 15, 2024 (Peninsula Adventure Sports) - SPOTS LIMITED TO 400 RIDERS
• Race 3: Why-Not-Chee - July 20, 2024 (Bucks NW) - SPOTS LIMITED TO 400 RIDERS

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 in the Short and Medium distances. 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

We are excited to announce our new Title Sponsor for Why-Not-Chee, Rene Herse Cycles. Rene Herse makes tires developed in this region and named after Bon Jon Pass and Humptulips Ridge, it was natural to get involved with our races. We welcome these new partners.

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 for Why-Not-Chee:

• 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)

Price increases $10 for race-day registration.

SPOTS LIMITED TO 400 RIDERS.

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 once again out of Satsop Center. There is no longer a campground operator in Satsop Center - the facility is official closed for deferred maintenance, but we have received permission for dispersed camping in the old campground area. There will be no power, bathrooms, water or shower except that we will provide portable toilets and jugs of water for your use, and we will perform mowing and other maintenance that is needed prior to your arrival. This will be primarily for tent camping and there will be a few spots for vans/small RV or trail. To provide this we ask for $10 per person if you opt in for camping, which includes both Friday & Saturday nights. SPOTS ARE LIMITED.

For those with medium or large RVs or trailers, or who like a more traditional campground experience, there is also Coho Campground on Wynoochee Lake which you can reserve here. Free dispersed camping is allowed on the remainder of Olympic National Forest land according to these guidelines and regulations.

Refund Policy

• No refunds, however you will have the choice during the registration process to buy cancellation insurance. With the insurance, you can get a full refund in certain circumstances including including accident, illness and family emergency. 
• Transfers are allowed until 3 days before the race. Follow these instructions to transfer to another participant.
• No deferrals to next year
• If we are forced to cancel for any reason, runners will get a free transfer to the next year, or an 80% refund

Any other information, including course maps, can be found on our website.