Poway Gravel Experience

The 2nd annual Poway Party Ride took place on February 17, 2024. Around 60 riders joined us as we revisited one of our favorite San Diego gravel routes that took us from Rancho Penasquitos to parts further east through the hills, streams, and tunnels of Poway, CA. The course was designed by Jeff Paulson, who first had the concept last year for his birthday ride, thus the name Paulson’s Poway Party Ride or PPR for short.

The 46-mile / 4100ft route starts from the Knotty Barrel RP parking lot. The ride is best enjoyed from late fall to early spring when conditions are best and temperatures are moderate. Plan for a 4-5 hour ride that covers a good variety of terrain, steep climbs, singletrack, and a few water crossings. Here are photos from the 2024 Poway Party Ride. You can purchase our in-house designed PPR Tee to support Gravelstoke and keep the adventures coming. Thanks and enjoy!

Featured Goods
Reroute 32oz Narrow Mouth Nalgene
Reroute 32oz Narrow Mouth Nalgene
$25.00

32oz custom Nalgene featuring original GWR artwork by Jud Lively. Leakproof, dishwasher-safe, narrow-mouth.

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GWR Snapback Hat
GWR Snapback Hat
$30.00

The first piece of merch with our new event logo. Built on our favorite Brushed Cotton hat in brown with off-white embroidery for a clean look. The GWR Snapback has a great worn-in workwear feel from the start. One size fits most with an adjustable snapback closure

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Merino Wool Sock
Merino Wool Sock
$24.00

A premium wool sock in navy, light grey, and 2 greens to match our 2026 kit. 6” cuff and mesh upper. Comfortable, durable & made in the USA.

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POWAY CALIFORNIA GRAVEL ROUTE DETAILS

  • Distance: 46 Miles

  • Elevation Gain: 4100 Feet

  • Location: San Diego, CA

  • Terrain: Paved, Singletrack, Fireroad, Gravel, Bike Path

  • Parking: Knotty Barrel Rancho Penasquitos map

  • Places Visited: Penasquitos Canyon, Trans-county Trail, Poway, Pomerado Singletrack, Old Coach Trail, Highland Valley, Lake Hodges, Lusardi Canyon, Black Mountain.

  • When to Ride: Late fall, winter, or early spring for best conditions and moderate temps.

  • Route by: Jeff Paulson follow

Featured
2026 Gravelstoke Ally Giveaway
2026 Gravelstoke Ally Giveaway

Enter the 2026 Gravelstoke Ally Giveaway and win big prizes from brands including Kenda Tires, Feedback Sports, Ombraz and more!

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We're Going Camping!
We're Going Camping!

Gravelstoke is bringing gravel to SDMBA's Mount Laguna Trail Fest, October 16 to 18, with 2 guided rides from El Prado Group Campground. Join us Friday for a 15 mile shakeout and Saturday for a 50 mile route featuring Kitchen Creek.

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Gravel Helmet Showdown: POC vs Sweet Protection vs Smith
Gravel Helmet Showdown: POC vs Sweet Protection vs Smith

We tested the Sweet Protection Falconer 2Vi Mips, Smith Trace Mips, and POC Amidal across style, fit, features, colors, and weight, and found the POC Amidal to be the strongest all-around gravel helmet in the $250-300 range.

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How to Wash Your Gravel Bike: Feedback Sports Brush Bar
How to Wash Your Gravel Bike: Feedback Sports Brush Bar

The best way to wash your gravel bike, and the tool that makes it easier than ever.

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Wolf Tooth Launches Hubs For Gravel, Road, and MTB
Wolf Tooth Launches Hubs For Gravel, Road, and MTB

Wolf Tooth Hubs are here, built around the ENVE INNERDRIVE system and machined in-house from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum, and they arrive in three configurations that cover road, gravel, and mountain biking.

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Gravelstoke Spirit of Gravel Collection Fall 2026
Gravelstoke Spirit of Gravel Collection Fall 2026

Introducing the Gravelstoke x Voler 2026 fall cycling kit collection. Now available for preorder.

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HEX Appeal: ENVE HEX 700x52 Gravel Tire Review
HEX Appeal: ENVE HEX 700x52 Gravel Tire Review

The ENVE Hex in 700x52 might be the most underrated tire on the market, and after 750 miles across multiple states, we offer our full review on ENVE’s gravel tire.

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Walker Brook Loop - Brookfield CT Gravel Route
Walker Brook Loop - Brookfield CT Gravel Route

A gravel metric century out of Brookfield, Connecticut, crossing three counties and both sides of the Housatonic. Red barns, New England gravel, and a berry pie.

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2027 Scott Addict Gravel
2027 Scott Addict Gravel

Scott's new Addict Gravel drops today with a full redesign built around bigger tire clearance, improved compliance front and rear, and refined geometry, plus proprietary touches like fork-mounted bottles and integrated storage.

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5 Wild Gravel Bikes from Chiricahua Gravel Camp
5 Wild Gravel Bikes from Chiricahua Gravel Camp

Five bikes, one inaugural Chiricahua Gravel Camp, and a look back at just how far gravel has come. Evil Bikes Chamois Hagar, Moots Vamoots CRD, Revel R+, Moots Routt YBB, and Pinarello GAN GR-S Disk.

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Made in Quincy: Custom Falconer Cycles Steel Gravel Bike
Made in Quincy: Custom Falconer Cycles Steel Gravel Bike

The story behind our first custom metal build, a Falconer Cycles Steel Gravel Bike with clearance for 700 × 55, ENVE wheels and cockpit, SRAM AXS Transmission mullet drivetrain.

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DRIFT ARC Shoe First Look
DRIFT ARC Shoe First Look

First look at the new DRIFT ARC shoe in Forge colorway, a waterproof all-season low-top cycling sneaker that is a first release in a new line of MTB and Gravel shoes.

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