“Pennsylvania’s premier gravel gathering — unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley — returns for its seventh edition celebrating the joy of bikes and beauty of #IPAGravel (Incredible PA Gravel) in the heart of central Pennsylvania. Growing from a single day event to a full 3-day weekend, unPAved embraces the motto of ‘more smiles per mile’ to satisfy everyone from racers and bikepackers, to party-pacers and new entrants to the world of gravel.”
“With the coming 2024 edition, unPAved is excited to welcome Lauf Cycles as the official bike sponsor. There’s been mutual appreciation for quite a while. “Lauf came to unPaved in 2019, and it was my favorite gravel riding in the US,” said Bergur Benediktsson, product engineer.”
“With our new American headquarters located in Harrisonburg VA, getting involved with unPaved makes a lot of sense,” added Benedikt Skulason, CEO.”
“Lauf joins the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, the title sponsor for unPAved that attracts many outdoor enthusiasts to the region, as well as Stan’s which is the official sealant and wheels of unPAved.”
“unPAved represents everything that makes gravel so special — challenging riding, a beautiful location, supreme organization, and a welcoming atmosphere,” said Jeff Lockwood, global marketing director at Stan’s. “That combination attracts the exact crowd of people that perfectly aligns with the Stan’s brand and its products. Stan’s has supported unPAved since the first edition of the event, and we plan to do so for the foreseeable future.”
“Other industry sponsors include Bikeflights, CarboRocket, Rusty Rail Brewing Company, New Trail Brewing, Küat Racks, Giordana Cycling, Grava Adventure, and Nittany Mountain Works. Community partners include Backyard Beans, Brookside Bikes, Link Cyclery, Hushmoney Bikes, and Penns Valley Pedals and Pints.”
“unPAved will take place October 11-13, 2024 starting with the “Get un(G)ravelled” pub crawl and bar games throughout Lewisburg. Saturday’s schedule includes the Lewisburg Fall Festival with food, drink, crafters, and kids activities; FUNpaved social rides; a Gravel Film Festival in the historic Campus Theater; and the riders racing on the Big Lick 200 (our new extra-large distance) or heading out for the SlumberPArty (our much-loved overnighter category) will start on Saturday as well.”
“On Sunday morning, the Full-120, Plenty-90, and Proper-50 will head out from Lewisburg along the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail for their gravelly adventures through the rolling farmlands and hilly forest roads. The Full-120 riders will be timed over four segments (adding up to roughly 40 miles) to determine the Champions of the Whoopie Pies. Meanwhile, the Burly-30 riders will start and finish at R.B. Winter State Park to challenge themselves on the hilly unpaved roads in the northeastern corner of the Bald Eagle State Forest.”
“All riders will be welcomed back to the DONEpaved Party on Sunday night for prizes, food, beer, birch beer, and delicious local whoopie pies!”
“unPAved is a community focused event that has something to offer everyone,” says Kelly Catale, a four-time whoopie pie champion who represents Team KellCat. “In years past, I raced the full 120-mile course with friends and was able to make many new friends while riding all the non-timed sections of the course. Last year, I was recovering from an injury, so instead of racing the full 120-mile option I volunteered at one of the many fun aid stations, was a sweeper for the 30-mile course with a friend, and handed out whoopie pies to race finishers. My experience was quite different compared to years past, but just as fun and perhaps more meaningful to the race community.”
unPAved looks forward to welcoming youse, y’all, & yinz to the #IPAgravel of central Pennsylvania! Registration is open at bikereg.com/unpaved-of-the-susquehanna-river-valley.