unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley
Easy on the eyes. Hard on the legs.
LEWISBURG, Pennsylvania — Announcing unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley, a 120-mile raw road adventure ride through the hills and valleys of central Pennsylvania during peak foliage season, to be held Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.
With the support of Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau as the title sponsor, and additional sponsorships from GU Energy Labs and Kenda Tire, unPAved is set to become a premier event on the ever-growing gravel calendar.
“I’ve done massive rides like the Dirty Kanza 200 and Rebecca’s Private Idaho,” said event organizer Dave Pryor. “I finished each event with a full heart from the hospitality of the people of Kansas and Idaho — and tired legs from the amazing terrain of both. Having lived in Pennsylvania for over 20 years, I’ve found those same qualities natural to the Susquehanna River Valley. When the riders reflect on unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley they will have deep feelings of accomplishment and community. It’s going to be a special event.”
As a route planner for the Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer, Pryor has come across a countless amount of amazingly beautiful, and immensely challenging, roads in Pennsylvania. “Some of best dirt and gravel roads anywhere are in this part of the Commonwealth. It’s incredibly scenic and surprisingly easy to get to. I can’t wait to see the looks on riders faces at the start and finish, as well out on the course. Their eyes are going to be filled with wonder,” Pryor said.
Some Highlights of the Course:
- The start and finish are in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania — a college town filled with warmth, charm, tasty grub and cold brews — at the Miller Center for Recreation and Wellness.
- The route utilizes the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, a 9.5-mile scenic path established on a former rail bed in 2011. This “Gateway to a Gravel Mine” will lead the riders from and to Lewisburg with start and finish festivities at the Miller Center’s brand new 13,000 sq/ft outdoor courtyard.
- Most of the ride goes through the expansive, raw roads of the Bald Eagle State Forest, over relentlessly rolling hills, along running waters and through gorgeous, old woods.
- Riders will also go through Amish Country on roads measured in horsepower, not cell coverage.
“The Susquehanna River Valley is home to an abundance of terrain types,” said Andrew Miller, executive director for Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau. “The rocky slopes, grassy hillsides and dense woodlands create a varied topography that will challenge cyclists. By bringing unPAved to the area, the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau will have the opportunity to showcase the region’s cycling potential during a unique event that can grow into a one of the nation’s premier cycling competitions.”
The inaugural unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley will take place Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. The main course will be 120 miles, with 10,000 feet of climbing, and limited to 200 riders. There will also be 90- and 30-mile versions. Each of those also limited to 200 riders.
Current versions of the routes can be found here:
https://ridewithgps.com/events/49395-unpaved-of-the-susquehanna-river-valley
Registration is now open at: https://bikereg.com/unpavedpa
About Dave Pryor, co-promoter
Dave Pryor has ridden some of the big-ticket items on many people’s bucket lists: The cobbles of Paris-Roubaix & Tour of Flanders, the gravel goodness of Dirty Kanza & Rebecca’s Private Idaho, up Mount Washington and down the Wildcat Trail at SSWC 2005, and more. Then he’s gone on to run some seriously fun events like SSCXWC13Philly, Junkyard ‘Cross in 2013 & 2014, and the Monkey Knife Fight. In good news for the riders of unPAved, he’s way better at running events than riding them.
About Mike Kuhn, co-promoter
Mike Kuhn went to school at Bucknell University, and as a member of the cycling team was training on the dirty roads outside of Lewisburg without ever knowing those roads were “gravel.” Since graduating Mike has created some of the best cycling events in the region, such as the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic and Iron Cross. Most recently he helped launch the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League and has been named to the Board of Directors for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association to help get #MoreKidsOnBikes.
About the Susquehanna River Valley
The Susquehanna River Valley offers an authentic experience that combines everything that’s great about rural Pennsylvania: Breweries, award-winning wineries, outdoor recreation, family fun, wildlife, dining and welcoming hospitality. The unique atmosphere of the Susquehanna River Valley beckons the visitor to make return trips.
EVENT INFORMATION
https://www.unpavedpennsylvania.com
https://www.facebook.com/unpavedPA
Lewisburg is on a hop skip and jump away for me, I think I will have to do this ride.
Sounds like a great event.
Don’t forget to mention the geology of the area. The geology is in every road cut and vista. Contact a local geology professor
How much of this is unpaved vs paved?
Thanks for posting this, and for the interest.
Dennis: I agree! Come out for a ride!
James, that’s a really good point. It is amazing and have somebody at Penn State in mind for that. But if you know somebody please get in touch.
Mike E. I don’t have a number on that, but will add that info to the route pages. It is a lot, and the unpaved roads are some great terrain.
Not knowing the area. Are there c/stores along the route for refueling?
Larry: There will be aid stations, because there’s not a lot of civilization for the bulk of the route.