WALLA WALLA GRIT

09/12/2026

Important Update for Saturday's Echolands Gathering.

Unfortunately, our planned food truck had to cancel at the last minute. The good news? We're still gathering at Echolands Winery from 5-7 PM on Saturday and we'd love to see you there!

Join us for evening pours while you meet fellow riders and kick off the Grit weekend. Riders and guests are welcome to bring takeout from a local restaurant.

Here are a few local favorites:
• Taqueria Mi Pueblito (1633 E Isaacs Ave)
• The Green Lantern
• Sweet Basil Pizzeria
• Yamas Greek Eatery
• Graze (213 S 9th Ave)
• The Mill

We'll have packet pickup available, discounted w**e pours for riders, and plenty of good company. See you Saturday evening!

09/11/2026

The rider packets are packed, the prizes are piling up, and we're nearly ready to roll!

A huge thank you to ALMSTHRE, Dumonde Tech, Bluewood, Bicycle Barn, and other generous partners who have contributed gear, swag, and prizes for this year's event.

Awards will be presented to the top 3 men and women in each course, plus the top 50+ Masters and 60+ Masters rider in each course.

Not racing for the podium? Every registered rider will be automatically entered into multiple raffle drawings for sponsor giveaways throughout the post-race block party.

Limited-edition Walla Walla Grit hats will be available for purchase, along with a selection of bandanas from previous Grit editions and a **very limited** number of our custom thermal jackets.

Haven't registered yet? Don't wait! Online registration closes at 11:59 PM on Friday, September 11.

Packet Pick-Up • Bicycle Barn: Saturday, September 12, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pre-Ride Gathering • Echolands Winery: Saturday, September 12, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

We're looking forward to a fantastic weekend of gravel, community, adventure, and good company. See you soon!

09/10/2026

Let's Talk Routes: Grande Edition

The revised 95-mile Grande is ready, and we're happy to report that the forecast is looking quite good! Dare we say even more ideal than some years past. Better yet, Lincton Mountain Road, home of the infamous "peanut butter mud" saga, was freshly graded and repacked just a few weeks ago.

Beyond the shared challenge of Cottonwood Creek, Grande riders will take on a series of punchy climbs including Cache Hollow (mile 44), Lone Fir (mile 66), and the final test up Blue Creek (mile 83). If you find yourself walking a section, don't worry, you'll have plenty of company.

Aid stations will be at Mile markers 17, 31, 48, and 71. There is emergency water available at mile 80 as marked on the Ride With GPS file (at Fire Station 45).

A reminder that portions of the route include two-way rider traffic, so stay alert and keep right at all times. And when you reach the descent off Scenic Loop around mile 77, remember that washboards and tight corners can be a tricky combination. Ride within your limits and save a little energy for the finish.

Expect to be challenged. Expect to be amazed. And expect to earn every mile. It takes Grit to finish this one.

Unpaved. Unforgiving. Unforgettable.

09/09/2026

Let's Talk Routes: Bambino & Medio Edition

The 45-mile Bambino and 65-mile Medio routes serve up some of the best gravel in the Walla Walla Valley, with quiet backroads, rolling wheat fields, big views, and plenty of challenge along the way.

Both routes include the infamous Cottonwood Creek climb, a section that has earned its reputation over the years. Steep, loose, rocky, and unapologetic, it has humbled plenty of riders over the years. There is no shame in walking a section or two. In fact, you'll likely have company.

The Bambino is challenging but approachable. The Medio turns up the volume with more miles, more climbing, and more opportunities to test your legs before rolling back to town.

Whether you're racing, riding, or just taking in the views, these routes deliver the challenge and adventure that make the Grit special.

Grande riders: stay tuned. Course notes for the 95-mile Grande route will be coming tomorrow.

Unpaved. Unforgiving. Unforgettable.

09/08/2026

Grit Week Is Here!

The countdown is on. In just a few days, riders will roll out onto the backroads of the Walla Walla Valley and Blue Mountains for the 2026 Walla Walla Grit.

Haven't registered yet? There's still time! Online registration remains open through 11:59 PM on Friday, September 11. Don't miss your chance to join us for a weekend of gravel, adventure, and community.

Over the next two days, we'll be sharing course notes for the Bambino, Medio, and Grande routes. If you're registered, stay tuned for important route details, rider tips, and what to expect on course.

And whether you're riding or cheering from the sidelines, plan to stick around for the post-ride block party featuring:
- Food trucks
- Music
- Sponsor booths
- Limited Walla Walla Grit swag for sale
- Plenty of good vibes

We can't wait to welcome everyone to Walla Walla for another unforgettable year of the Grit.

09/04/2026

One Week to Go!

The 2026 Walla Walla Grit is just around the corner, and the outlook is looking fantastic. We've been graced with rain in the valley and hills, and the temperatures have begun to cool. As you make your final preparations, be sure to revisit wallawallagrit.com and the rider email you received (or will receive upon registration) for event schedules, packet pick-up information, course details, and weekend logistics.

And don't come alone! Bring your friends, family, and loved ones to cheer at the start, welcome riders back at the finish, and enjoy the post-ride block party from roughly 12-4 PM featuring food, drinks, music, sponsor booths, and plenty of Grit stories.

We're looking forward to a fantastic weekend of gravel, community, and adventure. See you soon!

09/02/2026

The Walla Walla Grit wouldn't be possible without the support of local businesses that help turn a bike ride into a weekend experience.

A huge thank you to for hosting our finish line celebration, providing drink tickets, and helping fuel some friendly competition with custom b**r prizes; for their enthusiastic promotion of the event and year-round advocacy for outdoor recreation throughout the Walla Walla Valley; for capturing the stories, scenery, and spirit of the Grit through photography and video; for keeping riders, volunteers, and spectators caffeinated with outstanding local coffee; .pt.wallawalla for helping riders recover with complimentary post-race services; Natural Grocers for supplying snacks to keep our aid stations stocked and riders moving down the road; and Patisserie for providing some of the finest baked goods in the Walla Walla Valley, giving riders one more delicious reason to look forward to Grit weekend.

We're grateful for these partners and their shared commitment to community, adventure, and everything that makes the Walla Walla Valley such a special place to ride.

09/01/2026

The Walla Walla Grit is proud to recognize Bluewood as a 2026 event sponsor.

For generations, Bluewood has connected our community to the Blue Mountains through outdoor adventure. Known for memorable powder days, Bluewood is now expanding into summer recreation as it develops a new mountain bike trail network that will bring even more opportunities to explore the Blues.

From gravel roads and bike trails to snow-covered slopes, outdoor recreation is part of what makes the Walla Walla Valley special. We're grateful to have Bluewood's support as we celebrate the landscapes, adventure, and community that define the Walla Walla Grit.

Please join us in thanking Bluewood for helping make the 2026 Walla Walla Grit possible.

08/31/2026

There's still time! Register before 11:59pm today (August 31st) to be entered in the drawing for two free nights at The FINCH. The drawing will include all registrants up to the deadline. Register now and we'll see you in two weeks!

Okay folks, time for some announcements and, you guessed it, another drawing!

We're thrilled to have The FINCH as a sponsor of the 2026 Walla Walla Grit!

Nestled in the heart of downtown Walla Walla, The FINCH is the perfect home base for a Grit weekend. Whether you're rolling into town for the Grit or planning a weekend getaway, The FINCH puts you steps from Walla Walla's renowned restaurants, tasting rooms, and small-town charm. With comfortable rooms, inviting outdoor gathering spaces, and a distinctly Walla Walla feel, it's the kind of place that turns a one-day gravel event into a memorable weekend adventure.

To help make your Grit weekend even better, The FINCH is offering all participants 15% off room rates with promo code GRIT2026. And there's more...

Register by 11:59 PM on August 31 and you'll be entered into a drawing for a FREE two-night stay at The FINCH during Walla Walla Grit weekend! This is open to ALL registered riders, regardless of registration date.

The prize includes one room for the nights of Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026. The winner will be randomly selected on September 1, and must claim within 24hrs.

Whether you're traveling from across the state or across the country, this is the perfect excuse to make a weekend of it and experience everything Walla Walla has to offer.

Register now, book your stay with code GRIT2026, and you might just find yourself checking into The FINCH for free!

08/28/2026

Grande Course Riders, your 2026 route is here. The updated 95-mile Grande course is now live:
🔗 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56636919

While wildfire-related closures forced us to reroute around Skyline-Kendall Road and Tiger Canyon, the new Grande remains every bit as worthy of its name:
• 95 miles
• 10,000 feet of climbing
• Remote gravel roads
• Big views, big efforts, and big rewards

The route may be different, but the experience remains the same: unpaved, unforgiving, and unforgettable.

Thank you for your patience as we worked through circumstances beyond our control. We're in process of updating the website with addition details, so check back shortly. We're excited to share this new adventure with you and can't wait to see you on the start line.