The Bikepacking Roots’ Waypoints Webinar series is aimed at inspiring riders to get out on the amazing routes across Bikepacking Roots’ route collection.
This episode highlights some of the amazing work on bikepacking route development happening all across the state of Pennsylvania. With over 25,000 miles of dirt and gravel roads and an extensive network of state and federal public lands to explore, the state is a gem on the East Coast for bikepacking opportunities. Bikepacking Roots is connected with some of the best route creators from the region who have been working on exciting projects in recent years. This episode will feature two talented regional route creators and highlight two new bikepacking destinations in the Keystone State:
- David Landis, founder of Village to Village Trails and perhaps best known regionally for creating the TransVirginia Bikepacking Route, has been busy creating a growing list of new route projects across Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
- Helena Kotala is an avid cartographer and route creator who works for Pennsylvania Environmental Council, a statewide organization that has hosted a statewide Gravel Summit for the past 3 years.
During this webinar, we will deep dive into the creation of two exciting projects:
Endless Mountains Gravel Bikepacking Loops: Three bikepacking route options – 110, 250 or 430 miles take cyclists through four scenic counties of Northeastern PA. The Endless Mountains Heritage Region is home to countless back country dirt roads, quaint and historic downtowns, stunning scenic overlooks, museums and historical societies, breweries and wineries, award-winning trails, state and county parks, picturesque creeks and streams, and the majestic Susquehanna River.
We will also be joined by Donna Ianonne, former Sullivan County Commissioner and initial mastermind behind the Endless Mountain Gravel Bikepacking Route as well as Canton, PA cyclist Eric Schoonover, to help tell the story of the evolution of the Endless Gravel Community.
Wild Elk Gravel: In the heart of the PA Wilds is the only gravel destination in the Eastern US where 1,500+ wild elk roam free across vast public lands! This is a place of silent ridgelines, steep forested valleys and endless gravel. Small communities dot the landscape, but most miles feel deeply wild and immersive, with wildlife encounters far more common than cars. The brand new network features a 225-mile bikepacking route and several shorter overnight routes.
Join us for a great discussion, some route inspiration and a chance to get your questions answered from these talented route creators.