West Virginia is affectionately described as “Wild and Wonderful.” Its official motto – Montani Semper Liberi (“Mountaineers Are Always Free”) – captures the state’s rugged freedom. The Mountaineer Monster p/b Mountaineer Gravel embodies all of that spirit and then some.
For me, this multi‑distance bikepacking event was the highlight of my season – and the perfect excuse to reconnect with a place that shaped my early adulthood.
Below is The Hub’s overview of the event and my recap of the 110-mile route, and why this race and the community behind it are genuinely special.
About the Event
Mountaineer Gravel is a collection of 40 mixed‑surface routes ranging from 5 to 75 miles, commissioned by VisitMountaineerCountry.com™ and brought to life by David Landis in collaboration with local partners. The routes span Monongalia, Preston, Taylor, and Barbour counties, forming a network defined by rugged gravel, quiet mountain-country pavement, and Appalachian backroads – all set among the hills, hollers, and streams that West Virginia is known for.
- 110 miles – Northern sections of Monongalia and Preston Counties
- 275 miles – Expands deeper into southern Mon and Preston
- 465 miles – Adds a long southern loop into Barbour and Taylor before reconnecting north
Each distance started from Chestnut Ridge Park on Saturday, October 25, 2025. CRP is about 20–30 minutes from Morgantown, WV and near Coopers Rock State Forest.
Format & Flavor
The Monster follows a typical bikepacking‑race format with individual and team FKTs. But what sets it apart is the Cryptid Scavenger Hunt – a race‑within‑the‑race celebrating Appalachia’s folklore: Mothman, Bigfoot, Snallygaster, the Grafton Monster, and more.
Event Coverage
Dot‑Watching
The Mountaineer Monster event coverage was second to none. All riders except the non‑racing 110‑milers were required to carry GPS trackers linked to Follow My Challenge. If you have never dot watched, try it. It provides a unique way to follow the event from afar and gives loved ones the opportunity to “participate” and make sure their rider is safe.
Media Coverage
More importantly than dot watching, the event engaged two other methods of coverage that made the Mountaineer Monster special and unique.
Alden Roth (@aldenroth2), Denny Pry (@dennypry) (PryCreativeCo. – @prycreativeco), David, and several riders and locals provided outstanding real‑time coverage through Instagram posts. Give each of them a follow for sure.
WhatsApp Group
The event also created a WhatsApp group chat prior to the event for participants. The WhatsApp group became a real‑time hub for participant updates, gear questions, encouragement, and post‑ride connection. It created a genuine sense of community before, during, and after the event. Put simply, this was brilliant.
My Connection to the Monster
Most seasons, I have several cycling trips planned. This year was different for a variety of reasons. Luckily, earlier in 2025 I joined a planning ride for Wild Elk Gravel PA gravel routes where I met David. I told him I had lived in West Virginia for nearly a decade, attending WVU and starting my legal career in the state’s capital. He encouraged me to sign up for the Monster. Done.
After participating in a few Hilly Billy Roubaixs, I had wanted to explore north‑central West Virginia given its proximity to Pittsburgh. This provided the opportunity to start exploring the dirt roads in my second‑home state.
Bike & Setup
Gear & Setup Overview
- Bike: Bearclaw Beaux Jaxon
- Bars: Drop bars
- Tires: 29×2.2” MTB tires
- Wheel Size: 29”
- Ideal For: Chunky gravel, pavement transitions, rugged doubletrack
- Why This Setup: Balanced comfort and capability for mixed‑surface terrain; avoids under‑biking on rougher sectors
Bags & Carry System
- USWE Hydration Pack – primary hydration with detachable pocket
- Nittany Mountain Works Simple Stem Stack – top‑tube storage for nutrition and essentials
- Nittany Mountain Works Manything Bag – mounted under the out‑front head unit; zero bounce, no frame rub
Clothing & Layers
- Arm warmers
- Sun leg sleeves
- Multiple layers for a low‑30s start and mid‑40s/50s daytime temps
- Jersey with three rear pockets
Approach: Light, efficient, and dialed for a one‑push 110‑mile effort with no overnight gear.
Similar to bikepacking.com’s coverage of certain races, the Mountaineer Monster showcased willing riders’ rigs. This was a nice touch and furthered the connection between riders and the event.
Bike: The Beaux Jaxon was perfect for the Monster’s mix of chunk and pavement.
Bags & Gear: Because I was finishing the 110 in one push, I went light on the bags. It was a very chilly morning (low 30s) and the day hovered in the mid‑40s to low 50s. In addition to layering and utilizing arm warmers and sun leg sleeves, I relied on a jersey with three back pockets for tools and essentials.
I also went with these bags:
- USWE hydration pack (I drink most of my calories) with a detachable pocket
- Nittany Mountain Works Simple Stem Stack – simple, reliable, easily accessible
- Nittany Mountain Works Manything Bag – mounted unconventionally under the out‑front head unit for a rain jacket and gloves (this was a last-minute change; see the event pic under the “My Connection to the Monster” section)
With the bike dialed and the forecast cooperating, it was time to take on the Monster.
The Ride: A 110‑Mile Journey Through the Monster
Mountaineer Monster 110 – Quick Stats
- Distance: 110 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~10,500 ft
- Start/Finish: Chestnut Ridge Park (Bruceton Mills, WV)
- Counties Covered: Monongalia & Preston
- Surface Mix: Gravel, pavement, doubletrack, Jeep road
- Difficulty: Hard
- Ride Style: One‑ or two‑day bikepacking race or all‑day adventure
- Navigation: GPS required
- Tracking: Follow My Challenge (optional for casual 110; required for 110 racers and 275/465)
- Start Date (2025): Late October
Cold Start, Early Rollout
The day was brisk but dry – a gift after days of rain. A paved climb warmed the legs, and the next several miles trended down to rolling pavement before the first gravel and chunky sections of the day.
Settling In
The balance was perfect – remote gravel broken up by pavement that let the mind and body reset. I rode solo for most of the first 28 miles, occasionally chatting with longer‑distance riders. The solitude allowed me to settle into the day.
Trail Magic & Screech Owl
Locals offered trail magic at a church at mile 29. The generosity and human connection were a welcome break and a way to momentarily forget about the challenging miles ahead.
Shortly after the church, I connected with another rider from Pittsburgh, and we rode together for a nice stretch. These were among the best miles of my day. Pedaling along and talking about other events and the like made the miles tick off quickly.
Screech Owl Brewing at mile 52 provided hydration refills and hospitality. The staff welcomed riders in, offering bottle fill‑ups, food, and good old‑fashioned charm. They even offered riders a place to camp for the night. This stop was so welcoming that I really didn’t want to leave.
The Middle Grind
Soon after the brewery, the terrain turned rough and punchy as the day wore on. The reward came at mile 65 with the descent into the Jenkinsburg Recreation and Natural Area. The surface was manageably rugged and so much fun. The area was peaceful, scenic, and the perfect mental reset. There I ran into Denny and crew filming – it was nice to see familiar faces.
The climb out was rough on the legs but just as peaceful as the descent, and a nice setup for the remaining push to the long rail‑trail section at mile 75.
Rail Trail Momentum
Once I hit the rail trail, for the first time all day, I felt confident I could finish strong. The next 25 miles were smooth, fast, and energizing. It was also great to see Mountaineers fans out in Morgantown for Homecoming weekend – I love that place.
The Final Sufferfest
At mile 103, Bunker Hill Road hit like a wall. A set of steps down to the Cheat River made for a comical hobble toward the final push – Darnell Hollow: 2.3 miles, 1,000 feet, pure pain.
I crawled my way to the top and rolled toward the lake atop Darnell Hollow at CRP, completely spent but completely satisfied. David, Alden, Denny, and a handful of riders cheered me in at the finish.
Final Thoughts
The Mountaineer Monster delivered everything I love about gravel and bikepacking: rugged terrain, community, challenge, and discovery. It reconnected me with a place that shaped my life and introduced me to a network of routes I can’t wait to explore further.
If you’re looking for a fall event with character, culture, and a whole lot of climbing, put the Monster on your list. It’s the kind of event that stays with you long after the dust settles. Montani Semper Liberi.
The Route
2026 Registration
Interested in riding the 2026 edition? Registration is now open.
Comments and Related Links
If you’ve ridden the Monster or plan to, drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your experience.
Live in the area or would like to explore some routes in the nearby Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania? Check out The Hub’s Laurel Highlands Gravel Routes Collection.
Also, check out Jesse Smith (Bicycle Station)’s YouTube series about his experience at the Monster 465 and how he grabbed the FKT.
Interested in more West Virginia events? Follow the link to the Hub’s list of some of those events.
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