The Appalachian Mountaineer

The Appalachian Mountaineer – New Castle, Virginia, United States

• Date: November 7, 2026
• Location: Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, New Castle, Virginia
• Distances: 85, 65, 40, 22 miles (plus a separate mountain bike course)
• Event Type: Gravel ride with Strava-based timing

The Appalachian Mountaineer is a gravel event held in Craig County, Virginia, described by the organizers as the least populated county in the state. The event starts and finishes at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in New Castle.

For 2026, the event moves away from formal chip timing. Instead, times will be captured via Strava uploads at the finish line and scored by gender and age using Strava's filters.

Five route options are available: 85, 65, 40, and 22 miles, plus a mountain bike course that was introduced in 2025. All distances include multiple aid stations. The courses traverse the exposure of Bald Knob, which reaches over 4,000 feet in elevation, before descending to a river crossing via a footbridge. The organizers note that the 40-mile route offers the most "bang for your buck," while the 65- and 85-mile options feature a type of dirt road they say is rare and unique to this part of Virginia.

Riders can choose between a gravel bike (with 38c or wider tires recommended for speed) or a hardtail mountain bike for more comfort on the climbs and descents. Organizers advise packing layers, as November weather can be chilly, especially at elevation. Course files will be emailed to registered riders one week before the event for GPS navigation. For full details and registration, visit the official event website.