SPRING CAMP: DUFUR, OR
April 16-19, 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1, 2025
JOIN OUR LIST & BE REMINDED
ABOUT SPRING CAMP
At Special Blend Gravel Spring Camp, we'll spend three days riding amazing gravel roads on the Columbia Plateau, with just enough climbing to wake up the legs and just enough descending to hone your skills. We'll finish each day at the Balch Hotel, where we will recover, relax, enjoy catered meals, drink good coffee, and sit around the parlor to share knowledge and experiences.
During camp, we will ride many of the same roads used for the Gorge Gravel Grinder course, providing a “race preview” for those planning to race, and helping to prepare you for the gravel season ahead, whether that includes racing the entire Oregon Gravel Series, Lost & Found, Unbound, The Last Best Ride, Spirit World, a bike packing trip, or big adventures with friends.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
3.5 days of riding, education, and community
World-class gravel routes, complete aid stations, and mechanical support
Small group sizes/instruction with awesome professional coaches
Daily education and Q&A sessions
Recovery lounge
Dinner Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Breakfast Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Lunch/Recovery Bar Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Camper gift bag!
VIP post-race tent after Gorge Gravel Grinder
PRICE: $2100 - $2350, depending on lodging option at the Balch Hotel
3 nights at the Balch Hotel in Dufur, OR; select a lodging option when registering.
We want to create an immersive experience for all campers, one where we are all as present as we can be. In this effort, we ask that you leave your non-camper friends, partners, kiddos, and pets at home.
THE RIDING
Dufur, Oregon, situated on the Columbia Plateau, is the center of an amazing network of gravel roads, winding through orchards and wheat fields with sweeping views of the Cascades. We include just enough climbing to bring your legs out of winter hibernation. These gravel roads are well-maintained and receive a lot of sun exposure, making this the ideal spot for early-season riding.
During camp, we will ride many of the same roads used for the Gorge Gravel Grinder course, providing a “race preview” for those planning to race, and helping to prepare you for the gravel season ahead, whether that includes racing, a bike packing trip, or adventures with friends.
THE EDUCATION
We kick camp off with a skills session in the park on Thursday afternoon, giving us a foundation upon which to build.
During your rides, our professional coaches will help you improve your skills, including group riding, body positioning, cornering, braking, climbing and descending, and riding over washboard. As each day’s ride progresses, we will naturally break into pace groups, each with a coach, and we promise, you will never be the last one on the road.
We also host afternoon education sessions, including nutrition, tire choice, PSI selection, basic bike maintenance, and how to use your cycling computer.
ALL THE EXTRAS
We want your experience at Special Blend Gravel Camp to push you just a little out of your comfort zone (because that is where the growth happens), and we also want it to be a time you can tune out of all of “life’s” responsibilities and you can just focus on you and riding your bike.
Once you arrive at camp, your only job is to eat, sleep, and ride. We provide catered meals, top-notch aid stations, mechanical support, a recovery lounge, lots of snacks, beverages, and afternoon educational seminars.
We take over the entire Balch Hotel, so we have space to spread out, relax, and feel comfortable.
Work hard, recover better!
THE LODGING
Spring camp is based out of the historic Balch Hotel. We take over the whole place, so we can spread out and relax.
Everyone will have a private room, however, most rooms have shared baths. You can select the lodging option of your choice when registering for camp.
Lodging options at the Balch Hotel:
Mountain View King, private bathroom
Signature Queen, private bathroom
Traditional Queen, shared bath
Email hello@specialblendgravel.com with questions about lodging options. We will work to ensure this process is easy and stress-free.
To learn more about the lodging options at the Balch Hotel, please visit our lodging page HERE.
Special Blend Gravel is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive space where all people, including members of the LGBTQ+ & BIPOC communities, feel safe, respected, and celebrated. Special Blend Gravel is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or background.
You belong here
PAST CAMPERS
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Clay - Spring 2025
My second year at Special Blend Gravel camp was literally the BEST: empowering, fun, and full of connection. The inspiring coaches, amazing women, Dufur’s stellar setting, and perfect champagne gravel made me fall even deeper in love with riding off-pavement. I strengthened friendships, made new ones, and left with more confidence than ever.
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Madelyn - Spring 2024
I started the year completely unsure of myself and after the Special Blend camp and being surrounded by more women on the bike, I felt stronger and confident I belonged. It’s been amazing to see the growth in myself this year, and I know a big part of that is the support and community you’ve created with Special Blend.
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Sally - SPRING 2025
Over the last 3 years, SBG has been an integral part of taking me from gravel novice to gravel race podiums. The combination of expert instruction from coaches and a strong sense of community and support create ideal conditions for learning. And the Dufur area is a beautiful place to ride with friends!
CAMP SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
Arrive at the Balch Hotel; camp check-in and social hour. We’ll kick things off with a welcome to camp and what-to-expect intro session, followed by skills in the park and dinner. Before we hit the hay, we’ll prep you for tomorrow’s ride and answer any questions.
FRIDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge for the day’s amazing ride. Today’s ride will focus on riding in a group, climbing and braking efficiencies, and line choice.
Plan for 3-4 hours on the bike before we return to the Balch Hotel for Lunch/Recovery Bar and a bit of downtime before the afternoon’s education session. We cap the day off with dinner, good conversation, and of course dark chocolate in the recovery lounge.
Example ride: 40 miles, 4,300 ft of elevation
SATURDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge for our longest ride of camp. We’ll dial in our skills on some tricky corners and fast descents.
Lunch/Recovery Bar upon our return, followed by education sessions, recovery lounge, and coaches' Q&As. We cap the day off with dinner and good conversation. Looking forward to the final ride tomorrow!
Example ride: 48 miles, 3,900 ft of elevation
SUNDAY
Following breakfast and our pre-ride briefing, we'll head out into the Gorge for the last ride of camp and a chance to “put it all together”.
Lunch/Recovery Bar upon our return, followed by good-bye high-fives and hugs.
Example ride: 25 miles, 2,500 ft of elevation
our coaches & staff
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Janel Spilker
IG: @janelspilker
* Recovering professional roadie
* Adventure seeker
* Ambassador of fun & snacks
Janel is a recovering world tour professional road racer who knows a thing or two about racing gravel as well, having won Crusher in the Tushar and stood on the podium at Unbound. Nurturing community brings meaning and joy to Janel’s life beyond work and play — and helping more people fall in love with bikes is an integral piece of that cake. Janel brings the stoke to every party and never leaves home without her infectious smile.
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Claire Reinert
* Seeker of perpetual challenge and adventure
* Lover of the all night ride
* Walter is her sidekick
Claire's love of sport and movement started young and was channeled into soccer, where she found success at the collegiate level. After hanging up her cleats, Claire's love for riding bikes, especially gravel bike, over very long distances, began to blossom. She believes that to embrace gravel, it is necessary to "get comfortable with being uncomfortable and embrace the opportunity for growth", something that holds true on and off the bike. Claire has completed, among a myriad of other grueling races, the Unbound XL, Gravel Worlds Long Voyage four times.
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Serena Bishop Gordon
IG: @serenabg
* Camp co-founder
* Off-road adventurer
* Lover of coffee and chocolate
Serena has been racing professionally for more than a decade, specializing in mountain bikes and gravel. She is a great descender and understands the importance of the details when it comes to off-road performance.
Serena lives in Bend with her husband, Ben, and medium-sized pup, Piper, and loves her morning coffee almost as much as she loves riding her bike. She is stoked to share what she knows with others and elevate women in the sport of gravel racing! -
Annick Chalier
IG: @afreakie
* Professional Cycling Coach
* Lover of all things bikes
* Unicorn Snot influencer
Annick has been a cyclist since 2014, earning her way into the UCI professional ranks on the road in 2020. Since moving to the Columbia River Gorge, Annick has shifted her focus to gravel to take advantage of all of the terrain types this area has to offer. In addition to training and racing, Annick is a head coach with both Brave Endeavors and Ladies AllRide and finds incredible joy supporting others as they build their bike handling skill set, grow their confidence on the bike (and in life), and develop new ways to have fun in the woods!
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Sean Cochran
* Tire enthusiast
* Coffee connoisseur
* Always with snacks
Don’t let Sean’s IG handle fool you, he is anything but a spectator. Sean plays so many invaluable roles to so many; quietly, and behind the scenes, he makes magic happen. Sean’s love of life and compassionate, encouraging and thoughtful demeanor elevates those around him to bring their best self and to find their hidden motivation that just needed some unlocking. Sean is also the Marketing Manager for Schwalbe North America and our in-house tire guru.
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Colleen Quindlen Cook
IG: @trailcupcake
* Director of Logistics
* Champion of women in sport
* Dog-mom to Tukka and Mr. Bobo
For over a decade, Colleen Quindlen has played a pivotal role in the country's most significant cycling races. In her current role as Director of Operations for Breakaway Promotions, she manages the logistics and operations of major cycling events across North America. Colleen's commitment to increasing women's participation in cycling is unwavering, and her dedication to Special Blend Gravel is unmatched. Colleen resides in Hailey, Idaho, with her husband Billy, and their two adorable dogs, Tukka and Mr. Bobo.
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Rebecca Fahringer
IG: @gofahr
* Six-time USA Cycling World Championship Team Member
* Slow is smooth, smooth is fast proponent
* Quick-witted and incredibly kind
Rebecca, Becca, was a professional cyclocross and gravel racer for nearly 10 years and has achieved multiple top-10 finishes at UCI Cyclocross World Cups, a USA nationals podium, dozens of UCI wins and represented Team USA at six UCI Cyclocross World Championships. She knows a thing or two about off-road riding and leans on that in gravel racing even while fitness dwindles. There is effort to be saved in being smooth, which is a new focus and mantra over a once-proven method of pedal smashing. Now that time in the saddle has decreased, Becca focuses on spending time with friends and working to keep her pup fed with middle-of-the-road kibble.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that Special Blend Gravel Camp, held in Dufur, Oregon, takes place on the traditional lands of the Wasco and Paiute peoples, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, who include Wasco, Warm Springs, and Northern Paiute peoples. We honor the enduring presence and stewardship of these and other Indigenous communities who have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial.
As we immerse ourselves in the beauty of this region, we recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples. We express deep gratitude to the original stewards of this land and commit to honoring their legacy.
During our time here, we aim to be respectful guests and stewards, fostering unity, inclusivity, and appreciation for the diverse Indigenous cultures that continue to shape this land.
Our Partners
A huge thank you to amazing partners.
