“Easy on the eyes. Hard on the legs.” This is how the event organizers describe unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley. No truer statement could describe the 2019 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley (or any year for that matter). The fall foliage in central Pennsylvania in mid-October during unPAved is exquisite. However, the climbing that takes place while taking in those sights sure is tough. The Unpaved Hub (obviously no affiliation to unPAved other than the road/trail surface in both names) may be biased given that the event showcases some of the most brutally gorgeous terrain and public lands in our home state, but every unpaved cyclist should have this event on the bucket list.
unPAved truly has something for everyone. The beauty of unPAved is that “something” is in the eye of the beholder. You want a race? unPAved offers you a race. A chill ride with friends (or solo)? unPAved offers you a chill ride. You want a challenge that requires you to dig deep to reach your goal? Check. You want something a bit less, but still difficult? Check. unPAved has it. Are you a beginner that wants a nice introduction into gravel riding? You guessed it, unPAved has your back. What’s more, you want a fall foliage weekend getaway for the entire family? Yup, unPAved ticks the box.
Read on for The Hub’s description of the unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley – 2019 event weekend and a summary of the 90-mile Plenty course. Most of the event happenings will apply to the 2021 event, subject to the pandemic cooperating, of course. Read The Hub’s article covering the changes to the 2019 course and format for 2021. We also intend on posting an article describing a route that we have ridden that encompasses much of the “good” stuff (and we mean gnarliness) that is “The Difference.” Haven’t heard of The Difference? It is the 30 or so miles tacked onto the Plenty course to make the 120-mile Full route.
Event Weekend – Lead Up to Event Day
Prior to discussing the various unPAved routes, let’s set the stage by discussing the weekend’s festivities. In our opinion, there are really good events, and then there are extraordinary events. unPAved is the latter. Obviously, there are a ton of factors and needles that an event organizer must thread to put on a really good event. And even more to put on an extraordinary event. But The Hub believes that there is one ingredient that makes a really good event extraordinary. Community engagement, along with strong sponsorship partners. The maestros behind unPAved, Dave Pryor and Mike Kuhn, know a thing or two about running killer events. Collectively, one or both run, have run, or have been a part of the team behind the Trans-Sylvania Mountain Bike Epic stage race, Monkey Knife Fight, and the Iron Cross Race (among others).
In addition to building four phenomenal routes, Pryor and Kuhn focus on community. The title sponsor of unPAved is the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau. One of the feature pages on the unPAved website focuses on the region and community partners. The host town for unPAved is Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, home of Bucknell University. Lewisburg is a quaint town that gives that colonial Pennsylvania feel. It has everything one needs for a great weekend. unPAved schedules the event during Bucknell’s fall break giving participants and their families the run of the town. The unPAved weekend also coincides with Lewisburg’s Fall Festival, so there are a plethora of outdoor family activities. In 2019, the festival included “food, drinks, crafters, vendor expo, a bike rodeo and other children’s activities, live music and the Wooly Worm Winter Weather Prognostication ceremony!”
In 2019, festivities commenced on Friday with the “Get un(g)raveled in Lewisburg” event. This included many local bars offering specials. The organizers described un(g)raveled as “all your favorite kinds of people mixing it up in all of them.” Saturday welcomed a Pre-unPAved Ride: Wake Up/Shake Down for a chance to stretch the legs before the big day on Sunday. The ride invites riders of all skill levels. Rider sign-in and packet pickup occurred during the above fall festival with a great vendor expo. A really nice touch. A mandatory rider meeting for the 120-mile route happened in the Campus Theatre at 7:00 p.m. A non-mandatory meeting at 8:00 p.m. for all other distances followed.
The format for the lead up to event day was very welcoming for riders and their families. It was evident that the entire Lewisburg/surrounding river valley communities were behind the 2019 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley. Everything seemed to go on in perfect harmony. We don’t expect that to change in 2021 and beyond (insert pandemic caveat).
Event Day
Routes
The 2019 edition of unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley featured four routes: (1) Full (approximately 120 miles with about 10,000′ of climbing), (2) Plenty (approximately 90 miles with about 6,000′ of climbing), (3) Proper (approximately 54 miles with about 3,500′ of climbing), and (4) FUNpaved (approximately 30 miles with about 1,000′ of climbing). Each of the routes received updates in 2020 and only the 2021 Full and Plenty will be similar to the 2019 versions. Please read The Hub’s article discussing the differences.
Below is a recap of the 2019 Plenty course, along with a link to the Ride with GPS route. For those interested in the shorter Proper, the good folks at Purple Lizard Maps have a nice article on the 2018 iteration.
Plenty Course Recap
The Plenty course is the perfect gateway for experienced unpaved cyclists who want to up the ante into ultra endurance level distances without the full-on brutality of the 120-mile Full course. With about 6,000′ of climbing in 90 miles, the Plenty is challenging for sure, but not hellish. This recap is not going to provide a blow-by-blow of every road, climb, descent, etc. There are plenty out there, including from the Gravel Cyclist or the inaugural Full winner Matt Curbeau (if you read any recaps on the 2018 Full or Plenty, as an FYI, Ingleby Road and Tunnel Road are no longer a part of the course). Below JB provides a brief summary of the day (which is relative because he is long-winded).
The Start
If all of the above didn’t indicate how professional the 2019 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley was organized, it became apparent when arriving at the start/finish at the Miller Center. This facility is a state-of-the-art recreation and wellness center adjacent to downtown Lewisburg. It provides great restroom facilities and outdoor gathering space, which were accessible to unPAved participants and their families. It is also the location of the “DONEpaved Party” after the ride. Our hotel was within a short ride of the Miller Center, so we rode over. However, there is ample parking for those staying elsewhere.
Upon arrival, an immediate buzz was felt. Riders milled around and enjoyed coffee and light food provided by unPAved. Mid-October in central Pennsylvania can be a mixed bag. It is usually cool in the mornings (30-40° F) to fairly temperate in the afternoons. Event day was no different. The weather prior to go time was cool with the addition of fog. The Full riders were to depart at 7:00 AM, but the start was delayed a bit due to the fog. The Plenty riders were next to depart, and did around 8:10 AM. The first four to five miles are a nice easy neutral pace on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, a/k/a “The Gateway to a Gravel Mine” per the event organizers.
Jones Mountain
From there, you turn off the rail trail and onto some quiet country roads (mostly pavement) until the party starts on the Jones Mountain / Brandon Road climb at mile 14. The 3ish mile climb is your entrance into the Bald Eagle State Forest. As unPAved describes the forest, to which we agree, the forest contains “[b]ig, raw roads [that] take you over relentlessly rolling hills, along running waters and through gorgeous, old woods. . . . Gravel roads, dirt paths, chunky trails, long descents and more than a few climbs.” That is the playground for the day. . . . Doesn’t it sound glorious!?!? [Editorial note: Getting stoked writing this]. As for surface details, the roads were mostly in the Category 1 and 2 range of the Industry Standard Guide to Gravel. There were a few mild Category 3 sections. As an aside. . . . You’d be well into Category 4 if riding The Difference, which is only a part of the Full route.
The Ranch Aid Station to Coburn
After the 3-mile climb, you are rewarded with an 8ish mile descent to the first aid station at “The Ranch.” I am guessing this aid is so nicknamed because the head honchos of the station get decked out (click the above link or gallery to see what we mean and also check out The Hub’s description of the Rothrock GRIT Gravel Grinder started by the head honchos). The Ranch, like each of the aid stations, were stocked with gels, snacks, water, and anything else you can think of (more on that below). I should also mention that you are able to drop a bag at The Ranch, which are delivered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (who also put on the great PA Public Lands rides).
After leaving The Ranch, the route heads toward the towns of Woodward and Coburn (home of the Wilderness 101). This 15 or so mile section trends down, and is predominately pavement through beautiful landscape.
Coburn to Poe Paddy Aid Station
Upon exiting Coburn, the route jets up for about 3 miles and is followed by a nice descent into the second aid station at Poe Paddy State Park, a/k/a the GU Energy Oasis (drop bag approved). This has to be one of my all-time favorite aid stations! There were many volunteers and awesome companies that supported the aid station. Among them included the good folks at the Philly Bike Expo (awesome event, my wife and I go every year) and Nittany Mountain Works (makers of seriously awesome cycling bags, etc. – check ’em out).
Nittany Mountain Works was serving up some goodness, including a uniquely yinzer favorite – pierogis. The aid station might even be the inspiration behind Nittany Mountain Works’ Pierogi Bar Bag? Check out Firespire Photography’s and Keystone Photo’s galleries of the day, especially of Nittany Mountain Works slinging the goods, here and here.
Poe Paddy to Salsa Cycles Chase the Chaise
Upon leaving aid two, the course meanders through a bit of Poe Paddy State Park to the Penns Creek Path, which is a part of the Mid State Trail. The trail takes you through an old railway tunnel that has been refurbished and along the oh-so beautiful Penns Creek. Riding along Penns Creek is so peaceful and idyllic. The tranquilty only lasted a few miles before hitting a four-mile climb up Cherry Run Road and then back down four miles. This is at about mile 61.
From there, you guessed it – back up on Sheesly Run and Buffalo Flat Roads. Remember the “hard on the legs” part from earlier? Not only was this the last major climb, but it was the final stretch of the Salsa Chase for the Chaise. The backdrop for the Chaise photo was breathtaking – Hobo Vista. Remember the “easy on the eyes” part from earlier? After the Chaise, the climb continued for a little, but it didn’t seem all that bad after the positive juju presented by Salsa Cycles. From there, you guessed it again, back down. This time for the final time taking you on the final approach to Mifflinburg.
Chaise to Rusty Rail Brewing to the Finish
Riders reached mile 78 and were greeted by the final aid station, and boy was it a good one too. The final aid was at Rusty Rail Brewing Company. The good folks at Rusty Rail were slinging beers and there was plenty of other hydration for those not so inclined to indulge. Knowing its crowd, unPAved made clear that riders would be responsible for finding their own way back to the finish at the Miller Center on about eight or so miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail (a part of which was used at the start).
DONEpaved Party
No worries for riders who didn’t indulge at Rusty Rail as the “DONEpaved Party” at the Miller Center was awesome. The party was from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, which included a ceremony to crown the winners and “King & Queen of the Whoopie Pies.” Also, during that time, Dave Pryor, Mike Kuhn, and their crew greeted finishers with a warm welcome and a nice whoopie pie of their own! Similar to the morning, the Miller Center was buzzing upon my return. This time though riders, friends, and families were socializing and sharing stories about their nice little Sunday(s).
The weather, fall colors, and everything about the event was top notch! I could feel that my fellow riders agreed by the energy at DONEpaved. . . . The great food provided by unPAved and its partners and seemingly endless flow of Rusty Rail brews helped as well!
Plenty Route
Monday Ride
To cap the weekend, the organizers hosted a chill ride on Monday for those that stayed overnight. A nice way to connect with the organizers, and share some stories from the weekend.
Summary
As made abundantly clear throughout this article, the 2019 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley was a phenomenal event. The event wouldn’t happen without a great community and awesome terrain. The Lewisburg and greater Susquehanna River Valley communities clearly support what unPAved is about. The public lands in and around Bald Eagle State Forest are a true gift to residents of the Commonwealth and its visitors. If you are thinking about participating in unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley, stop, sign up, and enjoy!
JB will be entering the lottery to participate in the 120-mile Full in 2021. If he is lucky enough to gain entry, stay tuned for a report of the event. Until then, as stated above, check out The Unpaved Hub’s article describing the changes to the 2019 course and format that are being carried forward to 2021. Check out The Hub’s post on the final 2021 course with bridge closure reroutes as well.
Also, make sure you keep up-to-date on all The Hub’s content by following us on social media (links on the top and bottom of this page), and by entering your info into the Newsletter signup (to the right and bottom). Finally, in addition to unPAved’s website and Facebook page, signup for the unPAvers Facebook group to follow any updates and banter from the group. And in the words of unPAved (and the guys at the Mid-Atlantic Gravel Travel and Dirt podcast) – “Love ya, bye.”