GCOR is a gravel circumnavigation of the Olympic Range in Washington, get it? 440 miles and a lot of climbing…

When

Date: July 4, 2021

Time: 8:00 am

Details

Cost: Free

Event Website

Organizer: Tom Sumter

Email: tomasumter@icloud.com

GCOR is a circumnavigation of the Olympic mountain range primarily using the gravel roads of the Olympic National Forest, DNR and state forests land. It is 440 miles of beautiful, remote and varied forest land. They’re not easy miles either! There are 7 major climbs over 2000′; 40,000′ of elevation total. The route was designed for gravel bikes running low gears and 1.5″-2.5″ tires. Its a 3-6 day journey, depending if you ride it or race it. The current course record is 69h22m.

The grand depart event is being organized on Facebook. Additionally, there is a GCOR 2021 FB group where people have shared their experiences from previous years, and any changing conditions for the current year. Briefly, GCOR is an unsanctioned, unsupported, underground, grassroots undertaking. If you win there will be glory (in your own story) and accolades (from the meager GCOR community), but nothing else of value. Not that we would accept more if it was offered! There is a “lite” version of the route that is still pretty epic, but cuts out some gratuitously challenging sections for easier softer alternatives.

The Olympic Mountains are a pretty epic place to ride your bike! Portions of this route are very remote. Resupply opportunities may be 100 miles or more. At least water is plentiful and easily accessed.

GCOR route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33093613
Lite route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34766333