If you have an adventurous spirit, this blog post is for you!
Did you know that the Susquehanna River Valley is home to some of the best gravel cycling adventures in the entire state?
Our dirt and gravel roads take you through tranquil farm country, over relentlessly rolling hills, along running waters, and through gorgeous, old-growth forests. And depending on the time of year, the scenery will be vastly different in each season.
unPAved Ride Registration – Now Open!
Every October, our region hosts the nationally-acclaimed unPAved, a premier gravel ride covering 125 miles of raw forest, mountain, valley and farm roads during peak fall foliage season. This event draws an estimated 1,000 cyclists to our region.
The mostly off-pavement courses are 125-miles, 90-miles, or 50-miles, and they are all set against the backdrop of flaming fall foliage.
Cimarron Chacon, Race Director for unPAVed, said the courses feature great gravel, serious climbs, amazing descents, fantastic foliage, and
breathtaking vistas. She said the challenge of the event is not the road surface, but the elevation gain.
“Pennsylvania mountains are notorious for their never-ending climbs. The average ride will dish out close to 1,000 ft of climbing for every 10 miles ridden. Participants taking on the unPAved routes need a strong level of fitness and endurance to complete the event. Finish times range from 6 to 11 hours,” she said.
There are many fun, social elements sprinkled into the event mix, including social gatherings in the evenings at local pubs and restaurants and local treats along the way – like pierogies at one aid station and whoopie pies at the finish line.
Chacon said the event utilizes Segment Timing, where riders are only timed on part of the course, with “time outs” at the aid stations.
“Racers love this because they can actually ride with their friends,” she said.
Registration opened in March, so check it out and consider embarking on a new adventure with your family or friends. There are options for all levels, and while some riders are competitive, most are simply along for the ride.
New Gravel Adventure Field Guide
Did you know that we now offer a Gravel Adventure Field Guide? This new Guide is a curated collection of routes that showcase the best of our backroads.
The Guide offers five distinct options, powered by Ride with GPS:
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Northern River Valley: Quiet ridge roads and riverside views.
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Heart of the River: Historic canal towns and rolling farmland.
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Coal Heritage: Rugged climbs through reclaimed mining country.
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Western Forest Lands: Remote, tree-lined gravel perfect for solitude seekers.
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Southern Fields: Gentle grades and pastoral scenery.
Each route is GPS-ready and designed for riders of all levels, whether you’re a casual explorer or chasing your next endurance goal.
Need some help getting started?
Consider Rise Up Racing in Williamsport – they offer local and remote personalized training. They also have a riding community that meets 
regularly and competes together as a team.
There are two ways to join Rise Up:
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Annual team membership that includes: Regular insured in-person workouts (bike rides, open water swims, indoor swims, track workouts), ability to race under ‘Rise Up Racing’ at all Ironman and USAT certified races, team races, discounts on participating team races, team sponsorship discounts, camp discounts, invitations to all social gatherings, regular newsletters, private Facebook group, access to team gear store, invite to team zoom calls and team shirt. $100/year
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Personalized Coaching - choose between 6 certified and professional coaches to help you gear up for your next event. All coaching is data-driven and personalized to your schedule or location. Monthly Fee Varies
For more information about cycling in the SRV, including NON-gravel options, check out our Cycling webpage.
Local Bike Shops
If you’re in the market for a new or gently used bike, or simply need some new accessories – or advice – our region has three terrific bike shops:
CycleUp Cafe & Bike Shop in downtown Lewisburg is the hub of the bicycling scene in Union County with coffee, hot food, gear and community. Stop in for information on area trails and to swap stories and tips with other cycling enthusiasts. Custom bike building services are also available.
Brookside Bikes is family-owned and -operated and located adjacent to the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail in Mifflinburg. It's the perfect place to start a scenic bike tour of the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley. Since 2009, Brookside Bikes has offered a wide selection of new and used bikes, parts and accessories and prompt, high-quality service for the local area.
Link Cyclery LLC, on Fairground Road in Lewisburg is a family-friendly bike shop that focuses on quality and integrity. They offer a wide range of bikes in Road, Mountain, Gravel, Hybrid, Children's and E-Bikes. They also provide bike repairs from flat tires to overhauls – all within 2-3 business days. They also have bike rentals suited for Buffalo Valley Rail Trail and do bike trade-ins.
Speaking of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, don’t miss the opportunity to explore this trail year-round! It’s a 9.3-mile scenic trail that spans between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg with trailheads, facilities, and parking areas. While biking is a quicker way to travel, walkers, and runners are also welcome, as are baby and pet strollers. The surface is a protected spine of asphalt and gravel that is an accessible option for all ages and abilities.
Useful App: Ride with GPS
Find the perfect route in the SRV with RideWithGPS.com. This handy app
offers turn-by-turn directions, waypoints, and custom cues that can be exported in a variety of formats. Choose from different map styles, like satellite and street view, and include real-time elevation data, colors, and more.
Here are a few routes in the SRV that utilize RideWithGPS.com:
Cyclist SRV Weekend - Farm Country
A rolling tour of some of the farm roads and open spaces in the Susquehanna River Valley.
Cyclist SRV Weekend - East of the River
Cross the Susquehanna River for a beautiful rolling ride that stays below the big hills.
Cyclist SRV - RB Winter + Bald Eagle
A 75-mile route that hits some of the best gravel roads in the forests & parks west of Lewisburg. Starts & finishes at the Inn at Lewisburg.
If you’re looking for a few easier biking options, hiking trails, and etiquette tips, make sure to check out our previous blog post here.
Have we inspired you to get here and get out?
Share your adventures with us. Tag us on social media @SusquehannaRiverValley or #ExploreSRV.
