This year the stars aligned to allow me to complete all three major bikepacking races in Washington State. I guess that makes me a finisher of the Washington Triple Crown? The PNW Triple Crown? the Washington Bikepacking Endurance Race Triple Crown? I’m not sure of the exact name of it. Maybe no one is as I’m only the second person (and first woman) to ever do all three of these in a single year.
The three I am referring to are
- The Cross Washington, created by Troy Hopwood and affectionately called XWA.
- The Olympic Gravel Circumnavigation, created by Thomas Sumter. Known as GCOR.
- The Washington High-Lite, also created by Troy Hopwood. Known as the High-Lite
For those that are unfamiliar with these races here’s a brief overview:
The Cross Washington goes across Washington State from west to east. It starts at the Pacific Ocean in the town of La Push and ends at the small town of Tekoa near the Idaho border. 720+ miles and roughly 50,000 feet of climbing. Mostly on gravel forest or farming roads with some single track here and there.
GCOR, which originally stood for Gravel Circumnavigation of the Olympics Route is an arduous and entertaining loop around the Olympic Mountain Range. It begins and ends in Sequim and travels in a clockwise direction. It is 445 miles and has 43,000+ feet of climbing. Almost the same as XWA in less miles. Gravel forest roads, single track and bushwhacking.
The Washington High-Lite. The smallest of the races in terms of mileage but just as mighty in energy expenditure! This route is a loop that begins and ends in Cle Elum and travels clockwise. It travels over the Teanaway Mountains to Wenatchee and follows a slightly different route (in places) as the XWA from Wenatchee to Othello. From Othello the route turns westward again joining up with the Palouse to Cascades Trail to get you back to Cle Elum. Single track, forest roads and some pavement for a little break in the middle.
I have previously finished XWA three times and the High-Lite once. It was my first time for GCOR. I bested my times on XWA and the High-Lite this year. At the age of 67 I have never felt better and I hope this inspires others that you are never to old to get out there and accomplish things!
2026 Races
May 2026
Cross Washington (XWA)
Mileage: 734 miles
Elevation: 43,813 feet climbed
Finish Time: 7 days, 11, hours, 35 minutes
Previous best time: 8 days, 23 hours, 35 minutes
Link to blog post
June 2026
GCOR
Mileage: 445 miles
Elevation: 42,372 feet climbed
Finish Time: 4 days, 17 hours and 3 minutes
Link to blog post
September 2026
Washington High-Lite
Mileage: 332 miles
Elevation: 25984 feet climbed
Finish Time: 4 days, 8 hours, 53 minutes
Previous Best Time: 4 days, 12 hours
Link to blog post:
Leave a Reply