A group of gravel riders ride on a forest path near Bend, Oregon.

Gravel Bike Skills Instruction & Guided Rides

Cog Wild Bicycle Tours is stoked to partner with Special Blend Gravel to provide gravel bike skills instruction and guided rides/ tours. Pick the activity that is right for you: group skills sessions, private gravel skills lesson or a guided ride in scenic Central Oregon.

Gravel Guided RidesGravel SKILLSOregon Trail EVENT PREP

Gravel Bike Group Skills Lessons

Join Cog wild for gravel bike skills instruction for adults. Coach Serena Bishop Gordon brings a wealth of experience from years of competitive gravel and mountain bike racing. As a PMBIA Level 1 certified instructor, USAC Certified coach, and owner of Special Blend Gravel, Serena combines her expertise with a passion for helping others excel on two wheels.

Gravel Progression Session Level 1

Dive into the basics of gravel riding. The sessions start with bike set up and progress into body position for climbing and descending, braking, riding over washboard and rough roads.

Rider Level

The Level 1 Gravel Progression Session is geared towards folks who are newish to gravel riding and want to have more fun and gain the confidence to adventure further.

The Experience

  • Please attend both days:
  • Day 1: Bike/tire setup, body position, braking technique.
  • Day 2: Develop body position to allow for confident climbing and descending and riding rougher terrain.
  • Complimentary Deschutes Brewery beer, Polar Seltzer or Humm Kombucha
  • May 13 & 15, 2025 from 5:00PM to 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
  • Meet at Cog Wild’s Bend location.
  • Includes both days
  • 2.5 hour gravel lessons
  • $210

Gravel Progression Session Level 2

Advance your skills to climb and descend steeper terrain with confidence and speed. Transfer your gravel bike skills from road to single track.

Rider Level

The Level 2 Gravel course is geared towards folks who are ready to take their gravel riding to the next level, have some experience riding rougher, less maintained roads, and want to gain confidence on more technical gravel terrain and single track. 

The Experience

  • Please attend both days:
  • Day 1: Work on body position, braking, cornering gravel road + single track
  • Day 2: Practice steep descending, rocky terrain, body position to allow for confident riding on rougher terrain
  • Complimentary Deschutes Brewery beer, Polar Seltzer or Humm Kombucha
  • July 15 & 17, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:30pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
  • Meet at Cog Wild’s Bend location.
  • Includes both days
  • 2.5 hour gravel lessons
  • $210

Oregon Trail Gravel Prep Course

The Oregon Trail Gravel Prep Course is geared to folks planning to ride or race the Oregon Trail Gravel Race in late June 2025. The course is designed to familiarize participants with the specific demands of the course and is open to anyone interested in riding with more confidence over washboard, through sand, up and down steep grades and technical gravel terrain.

Rider Level

This course is geared toward folks planning to ride or race the Oregon Trail Gravel Stage Race and want to become familiar or is interested with the specific demands of the race.

The Experience

Riders will become familiar with the specific demands of the race course. The sessions will help riders gain more confidence riding over washboard roads, through sand, up and down steep grade, and tackling technical gravel terrain.
We will cover equipment setup, fueling strategies, and self-reliance that will allow you to have more fun during your time on the Oregon Trail Gravel Race.

  • The classes meet at Cog Wild’s Bend location.
  • Each lesson builds upon skills learned during the prior session. Please plan to attend both sessions.
  • Complimentary Deschutes Brewery beer, Polar Seltzer or Humm Kombucha  to close up the final session.

June 9 & 11, 2025 from 5 to 7:30 PM

$210 for two 2.5 hour sessions

Private Gravel Skills

If the group lesson time or format isn’t for you, consider a private gravel skills lesson for you or your small group. Choose from half or full day options. In the reservation questions, specify that you’d like a gravel bike lesson.

Get individualized feedback and instruction on skills specific to your needs.

  • Half-day lesson range from 3-3.5 hours and include on-trail snacks. These are best for newer riders or individuals since it’s demanding to practice skills drills over and over.
  • Full-day lesson is about 5 hours long and includes on-trail lunch and snacks. The second half of the day is devoted to applying newly learned skills to the trail.

Available on demand year round as the weather allows.

Half Day Private Skills

  • Solo rider: $220
  • 2 riders: $115 per person
  • 3 or more: $90 per person

Full Day Private Skills

  • Solo rider: $290
  • 2 riders: $150 per person
  • 3 or more: $115 per person

Guided Gravel Bike Rides

Cog Wild’s guided gravel bike tour has a bit of everything from high country roads with massive views to double track to paved sections. Our gravel guides are on the forefront of the scene and can navigate our network of forest roads for a unique ride.

If you your interested in gravel camps in the region connect with Special Blend Gravel or book tours on multiple days we’ll get you on something different each day.

Riding Distance

The ride distance depends on the riders. The guide will customize and adjust the route based on the riders’ skill, fitness and interest.

Rider Level

Guided Gravel Rides are suitable for all skill levels from beginners to expert riders. Previous gravel biking experience is preferred but we can tailor the ride to suit true beginners. On the other hand if you are an experienced rider who wants to get a ripping ride in, its on! The ride is designed to match your abilities.

Terrain & Trails

Expect a variety of surfaces: paved path, gravel road, 4X4 roads and some singletrack. The guide will adjust the route for each ride.

Guided Gravel Ride Includes:

  • Guide to accompany your group
  • Optional shuttle, rides are customized to the rider’s skill and fitness levels.
  • Up to 5 hours on the bike
  • Cog Wild water bottle
  • Substantial sandwiches from local deli
  • Substantial, healthy snacks on the trail
  • Complimentary Deschutes Brewery beer Polar Seltzer and Humm Kombucha after the ride

Gravel rides start at 8:45 AM. Contact us to arrange a different time.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to meet your guide and discuss routes. Please arrive 20 minutes early if you are also renting a bike.

Meet at Cog Wild’s headquarters at LOGE Bend.

  • Solo Rider: $240
  • 2 riders: $125 per person
  • 3 or more riders: $95 per person
  • Bike rentals are not included. If anyone needs a bike for the day, contact us to help arrange a gravel bike rental.

You can start your booking right away, here’s what we need to know before the ride

  • Ages of minors and seniors
  • Skill level: beginner, intermediate or advanced
  • Any dietary restrictions, allergies and medical conditions
  • Height of any rider with a bike rental

If you don’t want guide support and are fully equipped to ride on your own, check out Dirty Freehub for gravel routes throughout Oregon.