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.
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).
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.
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!
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).
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.
FRIDAY Get un(G)raveled in Lewisburg The bars & restaurants in downtown Lewisburg are open and following Pennsylvania’s protocols, and it's a great place to fuel up and unwind. Here is a list of establishments, their hours and setup for dining or take-out.
SATURDAY Sign-In and Rider Bag Pickup at the Lewisburg Fall Festival
10am-8pm in downtown Lewisburg with beer, food, live music, kids’ activities including a Wooly Worm petting zoo, the Wooly Worm Winter Prognostication (like the groundhog, but fuzzier) at 3pm, sponsors, bike vendors, crafters and more!
9am: Wake-Up/Shake Down Ride out of Hufnagle Park. It's a social ride through some farm roads (some gravel) and the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail.
Rider Meetings and Q&A Sessions at Noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm
unPAved-Overnighters can start anytime after Noon
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!
START TIMES
unPAved Full-120 riders can start between 7:30–9am
unPAved Plenty-90 riders can start between 8:30–10am
SOMEpaved-50 and SOMEpaved-30 riders can start between 10am–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
Make sure we get your Timing Device back (or pay us $250!)
Pose at the Podium if you’ve got the fastest time so far!
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!
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
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. 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.
COVID-19 Protocols
This is the current plan, based off of what we did in 2020 and guidelines by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If recent history is a guide it is likely to change a number of times before October 10th. Rider emails will include the most recent protocols and updates will be made as necessary.
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK OR CURRENTLY UNDER MEDICAL EVALUATION FOR COVID-19 Contact us directly and we will work with you!
MANDATORY SATURDAY CHECK-IN Will include a temperature check and COVID-related questionnaire. Keep 6' apart in lines, follow the directional arrows, wash hands before entering and after leaving, and wear a mask in venue.
MANDATORY SUNDAY CHECK-IN Will include a temperature check and COVID-related questionnaire. Keep 6' apart in lines, follow the directional arrows, wash hands before entering and after leaving, and wear a mask until starting your ride.
RIDER CAN NOT START WITH TEMPERATURE ABOVE 100.4 DEGREES, OR FEELS ILL.
WEAR YOUR MASK 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.
PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING Keep 6' away from people not in your travelling 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.
NON-MASS START AT RACE Riders can start anytime after checking in (during the designated time for their ride).
AID STATIONS Masks required, keep 6' apart and follow all directional arrows, wash hands before entering and after leaving, pre-packaged food only, and your water will be poured by a volunteer into your bottle or bladder. If you start feeling ill during your ride stop at the Aid Station and transportation back to the finish will be arranged.
FINISH Pull mask on to receive your finisher prize, and if you have the fastest time so far you'll be asked to sit in the Hot Seat for a photo!
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 and specific gear or 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.
Lights will be mandatory for any rider leaving the GU Energy Oasis at Poe Paddy Aid Station after 3pm (mile 44 & 74).
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.