MILTON, PA - Gravel cyclists and adventure-seekers now have a brand-new reason to point their wheels toward Central Pennsylvania.
The Susquehanna River Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide is the second Pennsylvania edition in a national series of pocket-sized gravel cycling guidebooks featuring curated routes and QR codes that link to digital GPS navigation. The guides are designed to inspire exploration and make it easy for cyclists of all skill levels to plan their next adventure.
From gentle scenic rides, to full-day endurance adventures, the Guide reveals the rolling countryside, historic towns, forest ridges and riverside views of the Susquehanna River Valley - a destination built for gravel cycle lovers.
“The Susquehanna River Valley is thrilled to announce this new resource for our local and visiting cyclists,” said Judy Machesic, SRVVB Interim Director. “With varied terrain and beautiful scenery, our region is gaining quite a bit of attention as a cycling destination.”
Machesic noted that events like unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley, held every October in Lewisburg, attract riders from across the country, and this new guide helps to connect those riders with the many scenic routes and gravel experiences throughout the region.
“With Happy Valley launching a similar guide earlier this year, the story of Central Pennsylvania cycling grows even more compelling,” she added. “We look forward to continuing to promote our communities and Central PA as a premier cycling destination,” she added.
The Susquehanna River Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide is a collaborative effort by The Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau (SRVVB), the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), Gravel Adventure Field Guide and local cycling and outdoor recreation partners.
“The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is excited to support the development of the Susquehanna River Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide, which serves as yet another example of collaboration between tourism marketing destinations, businesses, land managers, local riders, and other partners to sustainably and responsibly showcase the cycling assets of the region and support the outdoor recreation economy,” said Helena Kotala, Program/Mapping Manager at PEC.
Machesic expressed gratitude to PEC for a grant that allowed the SRVVB to pursue this project and expand the region’s reputation in the gravel cycling world. She also acknowledged Helena Kotala and Brett Hollern from PEC for their guidance in creating a publication that is both user-friendly and relevant.
Additional cycling collaborators include Dave Pryor and Bina Bilenky, who helped to vet and refine route experiences; and the creative team at Gravel Adventure Field Guide, Stephen Beneski and Juan Dela Roca, who captured the essence of the River Valley through their storytelling and route design.
“This was truly a team effort and a master class in collaboration,” Machesic said.
Free copies of the Susquehanna River Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide are available at the SRVVB, 2733 State Route 45, Suite 2, Milton, or online.
