Introducing the Oregon Bikepacking Triple Crown

The classic Triple Crown Challenge is an extraordinary feat reserved for riders who conquer the Tour Divide, the Colorado Trail, and the full Arizona Trail Race in a single season, participating in each of these three prestigious events during their respective grand departs. Just over 20 riders have been able to complete it, but other event organizers are getting in on the fun and creating new challenges for those on the hunt for a next-level endeavor.

Earlier this spring, the UK Triple Crown was created, encouraging riders to tackle the Highland Trail 550, Dales Divide, and North Wales 400 within a single calendar year. Next up is the new Oregon Bikepacking Triple Crown (OB3C), a call-out to complete the “three most iconic Bikepacking Races in Oregon during one calendar year,” as Ben Handrich, co-organizer of the Odyssey of the VOG explains. The Oregon Bikepacking Triple Crown is made up of the Odyssey of the VOG (350 miles, grand depart in May), the Oregon Timber Trail (800 miles, grand depart in July), and The Big Lonely (350 miles, grand depart in October). Odyssey of the VOG is the first event, scheduled for May 24th, and registration is open until this Friday.

Riders are encouraged to compete in the grand depart for each event, but participants in the Oregon Bikepacking Triple Crown can also complete the challenge by doing an individual time trial (ITT) of any of the three races, so long as all three routes are completed in one calendar year. In order for their ITT to qualify, riders must submit their GPS-tracked times or have their attempt documented on the associated mapping partners’ site. This year’s finishers will receive a finisher’s plaque with a log disc for each race that showcases the unique forests enjoyed in that race’s terrain: oak for the VOG, Douglas fir for the OTT, and juniper for The Big Lonely.

The standards for completing the OB3C are simple:

– Complete the routes as they are posted by the race organizers on their website for that calendar year.
– Complete the routes under your own power, riding a continuous line with no time limit.
– Complete the route self-supported.

To declare your intent to race the OB3C in this calendar year, please complete this form.

Further Reading

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