The FOURTH edition of the Snallygaster 200/100 will roll out on September 13th, 2025, at 7 AM from the bike shop. This is the first and only ultra-distance bikepacking race/gravel route in western Maryland and Preston County. Registration is available by completing this Google form:
And just what is a Snallygaster, you ask? Well, they’re sorta like a modern-day pterodactyl, but with nasty big pointy teeth. They’re dinosaur-adjacent, you might say. Or maybe the Snallygaster is a folk tale that German immigrants in western Maryland created to keep their kids in bed. Either way, Snallygasters clearly live in remote, beautiful locations around Garrett and Preston Counties, where they feast on unsuspecting bikepackers and tasty berries when in season. Word has it that they also love Hammer Gels, though, so maybe just keep a few extras.
In seriousness, this amazing and difficult route will go through 4 of the 7 state parks in Garrett County, run the entire length of the Meadow Mtn Trail, scoot around the rim of the Blackwater Canyon, visit countless gorgeous and forgotten dirt/gravel roads in Preston County (Hile Run, Snake Road, Mount Olivet Road, Peddler’s Glory) and incredible roads in the north of Garrett County (Blooming Rose Road, for instance). Best of all, there are a ton of towns and gas stations along the way for resupply and plenty of places to camp. Not to mention, you’ll always be within an hour of Oakland, so if something goes terribly wrong, getting a ride back to the start won’t be a massive pain in the you-know-what.