The 2023 Tour - Choose from 3 unpaved, or 4 paved routes!
UPDATED 9.10.23 -
Intro-to-Gravel youth ride route - here
Files available to download: High resolution JPG image - street map showing all routes - here
Also - the Loyalsock State Forest road loop - here
Cue Sheet - Paved road 25, 56, 73, 107 mile routes - here
Cue Sheet - Unpaved roads 51 & 74 mile routes - here
GPX files for your device: -
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For those with fatter tires who like dirt road challenges. Two options with more wildlife than automobiles -
A 74 miler with gradual climb on an old S & NY railroad grade, circa 1910, to Wheelerville. Then over the top of the mountain, to rest area in Shunk and then descend for a loop into Loyalsock State Forest. Back to Shunk for re-charging, then along the ridge before descending back through the State Game Lands to Rocky's. See - https://www.strava.com/routes/2808158634396724616 and https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35503231
51 mile option just eliminates the loop south into Loyalsock State Forest roads. https://www.strava.com/routes/281129536659618625
new in 2022, a 10 mile out-and-back ride aimed at kids, leaving from Shunk. https://www.strava.com/routes/2988843189660178962
Info on the classic paved road Tour, for those who like to cruise a bit faster:
The 107 mile route planned for 2023 is similar to 2022 and can be seen at: https://www.strava.com/routes/2833718766089279174
please note! This is a very challenging ride with over 10,000' of climbing. Don't take it lightly - train well, pace yourself, drink plenty of water
The 73 mile route - https://www.strava.com/routes/2842402752223042428
The 56 mile route - https://www.strava.com/routes/2842403532756685564
The ~25 mile route goes out Southside road to a turnaround point at VanFleet road
The longer routes go up Ellenton Mountain road to Shunk, with the middle 50 miles a loop east to Dushore for the lunch stop. After lunch, we're back to Shunk again which will serve as an all-day rest & re-fuel stop. On the return, after Shunk we'll go up to Wheelerville and down route 154 back to Beech Flats Road. The 56 mile loop will go up Ellenton to the Shunk rest area, then down from Wheelerville. A 73 mile option turns back before going all the way to Dushore
Here's a little more description of the paved route...
The Warmup - traditional ride along the foothills
We leave Rocky's Bike Shop, at 860' elevation, on 414 west & take the first left onto Southside Road to get away from traffic. At least a dozen small 100' down & up "rollers" greet you as you ride along the foothills of Barclay mountain on your left. The short course riders will see a U-turn marker painted on the road next to our skunk mascot at the intersection with VanFleet road, 14 miles (yes the short route is actually 28 miles).
Ellenton Mountain climb
After Southside Road, your next left turn heads along Beech Flats Creek and the climbing gradually increases. Make a right on Grover Rd., then left on Ellenton Mountain Road. Pass through the Devil's Elbow Natural area (2200' elevation) and a wicked hairpin turn, then through the small town of Ellenton, turn left and enjoy a beautiful descent into Shunk. After a short but memorably steep climb, the 1st rest area is on your right.
56-mile loop turns around after the rest stop, then climbs Middle Road (SR4005), bypassing route 154 traffic for a bit, then down Wheelerville Mountain Rd and to Beech Flats. Be careful, this will be a fast descent! About 800' in 2 miles. See - https://www.strava.com/routes/20524705
East to Campbellville and Dushore
This section rides along the mountaintops and dips down into a couple valleys (and back up, some short but steep sections). You'll leave Route 154 at Piatt, and follow the well-paved but low-traffic roads east. A couple hairpin turns will surprise you along Campbellville road. Descend into Dushore. Pass straight thru the only stoplight in Sullivan County (yes, the only stoplight in the county), take the first left and visit the historic railroad station for lunch. This was made available to us courtesy of the local newspaper the Sullivan Review ('The Sully').
Return to Shunk
The only highway sections (6 miles) should pass quickly as it's mostly downhill on route 220 south to 87 east. Look for Taylor Hill road and downshift quick because it starts right away. It gets easier though. Re-visit the Campbellville Corkscrew, then turn left on new roads back to route 154. There's a couple-mile 8% climb, then you're back at the Shunk Rest area.
Wheelerville and the return
The route home will climb steeply from Shunk on SR4005 - leaving highway 154 traffic behind - over Wheelerville mountain (2200') to a fast descent (be careful), then right turn at the bottom to Beech Flats Road. Southside Road - you've got to repeat those rollers and somehow they've grown in size during the day. We'll have a water stop along Southside Road at about the 90 mile mark. Coast into Rocky's, cool down, have some spaghetti.
And some other interesting stuff...
2009 ride report from L. Robson published at http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/525481
2012 Video courtesy of Seth Boyd and Dan McCabe at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IELX8j52WtY