THE 2021 EDITION of unPAved

Taking what we did (and loved) in 2019, adding in some of the changes we made for 2020, sleeping on it (see below) and voila! Of course, all of this is subject to change and could be edited dramatically. It's our working plan and updates will be communicated as they happen.

  • 800 PARTICIPANTS FOR unPAved & 400 PARTICIPANTS for SOMEpaved The unPAved courses are 120 or 90 miles, while SOMEpaved has a new version of the 50 mile course and a 30 mile course that stay in the farm country (less gravel but less hills!) as well as a 20 mile course that stays on the Rail Trail.
  • OVERNIGHT CATEGORY New for 2021, start your ride on Saturday and camp out in Poe Paddy State Park that night before heading back on Sunday! Not timed, so you can focus on having a good time. We'll even transport your gear for you (just $10).
  • SEGMENT RACING Six segments, adding up to 43 miles of the Full-120 course, will be timed to determine the 2021 King & Queen of the Whoopie Pies! More on the segments on the Courses Page. The Plenty-90, Overnighter and SOMEpaved courses are not races, though we will record and post your times.
  • CHOOSE YOUR OWN START TIME Think you need all day (and into the night) to finish the ride? Start at dawn. Would rather the sun come up and warm things up a bit? Start later in the morning. Since the race is timed over specific segments there's no need for a mass-start (and all the chaos that comes with it).
  • AID STATIONS Fuel up, and catch up with the friendly folks at the multiple Aid Stations on course filled with yummy treats & hydration. No timing in the aid stations, so relax & enjoy!​
  • FUN ALL WEEKEND LONG Get un(G)ravelled on Friday Night in downtown Lewisburg, take a social spin and take part in the Fall Festival on Saturday, go for a big ride on Sunday followed with the DONEpaved Party, and join us for a Brunch Ride before heading home on Monday (this is a 3-day weekend, officially).
  • SAFETY FIRST A number of protocols will be in place to keep you, your fellow riders, volunteers and the community safe & healthy.

Weekend Schedule

FRIDAY
Get un(G)raveled in Lewisburg
  • The bars & restaurants in downtown Lewisburg are open, following Pennsylvania’s protocols, and it's a great place to fuel up and unwind. There'll also be an adult scavenger hunt and sponsors will be handing out swag all over town.
Kids Night at the Museum
  • Kids ages 6 to 12 years old are invited to explore exhibits, experience special programming, and enjoy a pizza dinner and movie at the Lewisburg Children's Museum from 4:30–7:30pm. REGISTER
​Bike Valet Parking
SATURDAY
Lewisburg Fall Festival
Located at The Piers (along Cherry Alley between North 5th and North 7th Street)
  • 11am-5pm in downtown Lewisburg with food & drink, live music, a bike rodeo & more kids’ activities including a Woolly Worm petting zoo, the Woolly Worm Winter Prognostication (like the groundhog, but fuzzier), sponsors, bike vendors, crafters and more!
  • 1pm: Social Ride with Kelly Catale from the Lewisburg Fall Festival. It's a 19-mile ride through the farm roads (some gravel) where our 2-time Women's Champ (and Bucknell University alumnae) learned to love riding and racing bikes. A women's friendly ride, and everyone is welcome!
  • Rider Meetings and Q&A Sessions at Noon, 2pm & 4pm
  • unPAved-Overnighters can start anytime after Noon
Susquehanna Pop-Up Paddle 
  • 8:30am–4:30pm: A 12-mile float on the Susquehanna River with a picnic lunch stop. REGISTER
Rider Sign-In and Swag Bag Pickup: 10am–8pm at the Lewisburg Fall Festival

SUNDAY
unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley
The Lewisburg YMCA at the Miller Center (120 Hardwood Dr.)
  • Plenty of parking around the venue and plenty of porta-johns!
  • Rider Sign-In and Swag Bag Pickup: 7:30am–Noon
  • START TIMES
    • unPAved Full-120 riders can start between 7:30–9am
    • unPAved Plenty-90 riders can start between 8–10am
    • SOMEpaved-50 and SOMEpaved-30 riders can start between 9am–Noon
    • SOMEpaved-20 riders can start between 9am–3pm
  • COURSE CUT-OFF TIMES
    • 2pm: Full-120 riders must get to Aid Station 2 (mile 44) or will be rerouted onto a 90-mile course. Can continue riding.
    • 3pm: Riders must have lights to leave Aid Station 2/4 or will shuttled back to the finish.
    • 4pm: Riders must get to Aid Station 2/4 or will shuttled back to the finish.
    • 5pm: Riders must have lights to leave Aid Station 5 or will shuttled back to the finish.
    • 7pm: Riders must get to Aid Station 5 (mile 94) or will shuttled back to the finish.
  • Drop off your drop bags in the proper bins by 8am to go to the proper place.
  • AT THE FINISH
DONEpaved FINISHERS PARTY
The Rusty Rail beer taps open when the first Full-120 woman finishes! Warm cider & birch beer will be served! Music kicks up! Bring a drinking vessel to help reduce waste! Free replenishing meal for all finishers by Kitch it to the Curb and Smoking Bob's will be selling BBQ for families & friends and anybody who's still hungry.
  • 5pm until Last Finisher: Prizes raffled off to all finishers every 30 minutes!
    • Must be at the party to win. Any unclaimed prizes will be redrawn as part of a grand finale of prizes!​
  • 10pm: Course is closed. Party wraps up. Courtyard gets cleared up. Revelers head to downtown Lewisburg for more.
 
MONDAY
10am: Covered Bridge Recovery Ride out of Hufnagle Park. 23 mile social ride on paved roads along the Susquehanna River, with opportunities to stop for something to eat (bring cash and/or card).

Participation Rules

  1. Don’t be a Dick!
    We know, it's a bad word and we don't like using such language. So don't cross that line and we'll treat you with nothing but respect & love. Do cross that line that we get mad enough to use our bad words, and you won't be welcome back. Plus you'll have to deal with everyone on the internet! 
    It's Rule #1, and it goes a long way, but there are more rules, too...
  • Safety first! While this is a timed event the prizes aren’t worth injury, or worse. Take care of yourself and each other out on course.
  • Course is open roads, with car & horse traffic. Abide by the rules and laws of the road, and treat cars & horses with respect. They are bigger than you. Failure to do so will result in disqualification and permanent ban from future events.
  • Safety third! Do not crash on the big descents!
  • Crossing the “yellow line” (mid-point of unmarked roads) will result in disqualification & permanent ban from future events.
  • No urinating or defecating on course! There are porta-johns at every Aid Station. Will result in disqualification & permanent ban from future events.
  • No cutting the course or creating your own shortcut. Will result in disqualification & permanent ban from future events.
  • No flying drones without prior approval from event organizers and DCNR.
  • No bottle feeds at Aid Stations. If you want support you must come to a stop and put your foot down or dismount.
  • No spectators, team or staff allowed on course.
  • You are expected to fix your own equipment in case of mechanicals.
  • No littering on course, at aid stations or in town. Will result in disqualification & permanent ban from future events.
  • Must wear an approved helmet at all times.
  • Racers must have a number afixed to the front of their bike, and a number fixed to the back of their body, during the event.
  • You must finish on the same bicycle you started on.
  • No e-bikes or fixed-gears.
  • Failure to return a timing device will result in a $250 fine.
  • Race directors, medics and aid station captains may remove any rider from the event that they feel is a hazzard to other participants or themselves.

Health & Safety Protocols

Subject to Change! Check back before event, read emails and stay informed!
  • STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK OR CURRENTLY UNDER MEDICAL EVALUATION FOR COVID-19 Contact us directly and we will work with you!​
  • RIDER CAN NOT START WITH TEMPERATURE ABOVE 100.4 DEGREES, OR FEELS ILL.
  • RULES FOR RIDERS NOT VACCINATED FOR COVID-19:
    • ​Pull mask on when you are interacting with other racers, volunteers, staff and the local community in shops, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, any time you're in public.
    • Keep 3' away from people not in your traveling party whenever it is safe to do so, including when passing on a bicycle.
  • WASH YOUR HANDS! Practice proper personal hygiene guidelines (hand washing with soap & water and/or use of hand sanitizer) constantly.
  • KNOW PA's PROTOCOLS If you are traveling from outside of Pennsylvania, check the COVID-19 Information for Travelers page for pertinent information.​

Equipment Thoughts

  • While most of our gravel roads are better than paved roads, sometimes  “unpaved” means it can get rowdy or loose. Bring your good tires (ex. 700x35-40 set up tubeless with fresh Stan’s NoTubes sealant at 30-45psi) and all you need to fix flats & mechanicals.
  • The descending on this route is legit, and disc brakes (with fresh pads) are strongly recommended. BE CAREFUL for the corners you could take too fast and end your day in a bad way.
  • The weather is unpredictable in the hills & valleys of this region. It can be sunny & warm one one side of a ridge, cold & wet on the other, and anything goes as you cross them. Do not skimp on clothing & gloves, be prepared to pack extra layers and use your drop bags.
  • unPAved riders will be provided 2 bags to pack their own snacks, apparel & gear and specific hydration needs. They will each be available twice on course for the Full-120 (one bag at mile 26 and 96, the second at mile 44 and 74) and the Plenty-90 riders will get to one twice (mile 26 & 66) and the second at mile 44.
  • Riders should bring all the tubes & mechanical gear they may need to finish their event. The mechanics at the aid stations or on course will not be able to supply gear this year, but will offer assistance to help keep you going.
  • Lights will be mandatory for any rider leaving the Poe Paddy Aid Station after 3pm (mile 44 & 74) and the 2nd time at The Ranch  (mile 66 or 96) after 5pm.
  • Aero bars are allowed, but they are not recommended as most of the courses are climbing or descending. If you ride with them please do not when in a group of other riders, and definitely do not ride in them on the descents. Thanks.
  • The course will be marked but a GPS device is the best navigation method for gravel events. Do not plan on using your cellphone as a communications device on course. There is little to no coverage for much of the route. If you are using it as a navigation device make sure you have downloaded the course and set your phone to Airplane mode.​

Refund & Deferral Schedule

It's still crazy out there in the world, so we're being as flexible and generous as we can to help us all get through these times. However, there are some realities to running this event so here's the schedule for getting refunds or deferrals for the 2020 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley:
  • ​Sept. 10–30: 50% Refund or Deferral to 2022 unPAved
  • Oct. 1–6: Deferral to 2022 unPAved (no refunds)
  • Oct. 7-10: No deferrals or refunds
​NOTE: This is the schedule that works for us. Every gravel event is different, and thus also has different business structures, liabilities, etc. Please respect how those organizers have to manage their events. Thanks!

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unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley

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