{"id":2505,"date":"2025-05-28T12:59:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T19:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/?p=2505"},"modified":"2025-05-28T13:05:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T20:05:15","slug":"2025-waterville-gravel-populaire-pre-ride-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.seattlerando.org\/?p=2505","title":{"rendered":"2025 Waterville Gravel Populaire Pre-Ride Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Text and photos by Shan Perera<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On June 7th, SIR returns to the Waterville plateau for our Summer Gravel Populaire. If you rode any events here last year, this is an all-new route once again crafted by local rando Don \u201cshiggy\u201d Person. I previewed the course with shiggy last week. After heading west from town, we made our way up to the northernmost corner at Fletcher Cemetery. Then turned south skirting Lamoine and Supplee, passing through Alstown and Douglas before returning to Waterville.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Of the 100K distance, just 9K is paved with the rest (91K) a diverse mix of gravel across a patchwork of interconnected, rolling farm roads. Elevation gain on RWGPS (https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/49950178<\/a>) shows 3590’\/1094m, but we recorded 4514\u2019\/1376m. Expect surface conditions to vary from hard packed dirt to soft sand to chunky loose rocks \u2013 creating an intermediately challenging ride where bike handling skills will be tested. But nothing too extreme. I rode 42mm tires. Shiggy was on 55mm. Recommend minimum 38mm. Slicks are ok if you\u2019re experienced. Many of the roads will NOT have markings, but we\u2019ve verified accuracy of the turns (and also updated the cue-sheet with \u201cUnsigned\u201d designation). We do suggest bringing a printed copy to aid with your navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You\u2019ll spend the day soaking up open skies, admiring acres of thriving wheat, punctuated by the occasional \u201calley\u201d of deeply aromatic Sagebrush. These fields extend as far as the eye can see and were carved by glacial activity, floods and wind over millennia. The fertile soil, winter snow, spring rain, and dry summers create ideal growing conditions in these rugged lands. Expect to see no one and little auto traffic during your ride. We were passed by just 3 vehicles (a road grader, a gravel hauler, and a pickup) \u2013 all very bike friendly. Please remember, farm equipment ALWAYS have the right of way. It also gets hot in June, and there\u2019s no real shade on the route. So come well prepared \u2013 carry extra tubes, check\/top off sealant (if riding tubeless), bring ample food and no less than 2 water bottles. We\u2019ll have a staffed SIR control at 53.9km (33.5mi) where you can refill them, but there\u2019s no services or resupply points elsewhere. Cell service is spotty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A few noteworthy items:<\/p>\n\n\n\n