Are you ready to try out bikepacking, but not sure that you want to invest in a full complement of bags and cooking kit? Join AutodropLTD and Thirsty Souls Community Brewing for a semi-supported bikepacking event in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Carroll and Floyd counties are gravel heaven, with hundreds of miles of sinuous gravel roads. The gravel community around AutodropLTD has grown to be incredibly welcoming and low-key without the hammerfest mentality.
The Buffalo Mountain Bikepacking Adventure route is still in development, but the plan is between 80-90 miles split between two days, with around 70 percent gravel. Elevation gain over the two days will total around 10,000-11,000 feet. A lot to be sure, but we will be in no hurry to cover ground. A gravel bike is required, preferable with clearance for at least a 35c tire. I prefer a cushy ride to a fast ride, so I’ll be riding 50’s. Most people riding these same roads vary from 38-45’s.
The Adventure is semi-supported, but you still need to be prepared to remedy your own mechanicals and provide yourself food for on the bike.
Our camping location on Saturday evening will be on private property with plenty of field camping, woods camping, places for hammocks and a bonfire. Thirsty Souls will be bringing their pizza truck and plenty of frosty beverages to enjoy by the fire. Sunday morning comes with two options. You can hang out later in the AM and do breakfast at the campsite on your own, or you can plan to join small groups to roll a few miles of downhill on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the restaurant at Mabry Mill.
AutodropLTD is working alongside Rockgeist to bring you a killer top tube Cache bag with a custom event patch to commemorate your gravel-filled weekend on bikes! Keep an eye on the AutodropLTD facebook page for more event details to come!
Click here to see more inspiring North American gravel events