Dirty Kitten Gravel Race

Dirty Kitten Gravel Festival – Rapidan, Virginia, United States

• Date: July 24-26, 2026
• Location: Locust Hill Farm & Preserve, Rapidan, Virginia
• Distances: 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 miles
• Event Type: Gravel Race

The Dirty Kitten Gravel Festival unfolds in the quiet landscapes of Rapidan, Virginia, within the expansive Locust Hill Farm & Preserve. This event invites cyclists to immerse themselves in the rolling terrain of private farm roads, set against the distant backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is an exploration of over 5,000 acres, dedicated to the unique rhythm of gravel and dirt.

The course itself offers a pure off-pavement experience, with the majority comprised of secluded gravel farm roads. Riders will encounter a variety of surfaces, from smoothly packed sections to rougher, more challenging stretches of dirt and grass double-track. The route traces along the Robinson River, meanders past calm creeks and ponds, and weaves through open fields before disappearing into wooded forest trails, a true haven for both wildlife and adventurous cyclists.

The festival spans a weekend, with the longer distances, 60 and 80 miles, offered on Saturday. The 20 and 40-mile routes provide a different pace on Sunday, ensuring a space for varied approaches to the gravel experience. Alongside these, a 100-mile Deluxe Supreme Adventure Purrito offers a self-supported journey beyond the main course, inviting a deeper, more independent exploration of the surrounding areas.

This gathering is more than a ride; it's a coming together where the grit of gravel meets the warmth of community. The event supports local non-profit organizations and the Dirty Kitten Racing women's off-road cycling team, fostering a sense of purpose beyond the ride itself. It creates a space where the shared pursuit of adventure on gravel roads builds connections and contributes to the wider community.

The Dirty Kitten Gravel Festival calls for bikes with resilience—gravel, cross, or mountain bikes equipped with tires of 32mm or wider are recommended to navigate the diverse terrain. It is an invitation to engage with the land, feel the gravel under tyres, and discover the quiet satisfaction of navigating changing surfaces amidst the natural beauty of central Virginia. The experience is designed for those who find their cadence where the pavement ends and the adventure begins.