August 25, 2026 - The Endless Mountains Grand Depart will kick off in Towanda on Saturday, September 12, 2026. This cycling event will lead riders along rural dirt and gravel roads throughout Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.

Participants can choose between the classic 430-mile bikepacking route, a shorter 250-mile route, and a new 115-mile social ride. Some participants will race nonstop, riding day and night with few breaks in between. Others will take their time at a touring pace and enjoy a scenic trip through the area. The event is self-supported, meaning the cyclists will carry their own gear and food. Maps of the routes are available here.

“Gravel cycling in the Endless Mountains challenges a rider’s mental and physical abilities while they are climbing to top of breathtaking vistas, through dense forest, farmlands, along streams and quaint welcoming small towns,” said Donna Iannone, an avid local cyclist who originally came up with the idea for a regional bikepacking route.

The Grand Depart is not only a rewarding challenge for cyclists, but it’s also a fun event for the community. Spectators can follow the race’s progress and “dot watch” via live tracking at followmychallenge.com/live/endlessmountains. Race organizers will also post comprehensive coverage on endlessgravel_pa on Instagram and Endless Mountains Gravel on Facebook.

The public can also get involved by providing “trail magic,” simple acts of kindness to help riders on their journey. Examples from last year include leaving out a cooler of drinks, providing snacks, setting up an informal aid station, or cheering on riders.

If you plan on providing trail magic for the event, please contact the race organizers at endlessmountainsbikepacking@gmail.com, and they will promote it to the participants.

The Grand Depart is part of Endless Gravel, a network of cycling routes along the unpaved roads in the Endless Mountains region. The routes range from day rides to the 430-mile Endless Mountains Gravel Bikepacking Loop. Endless Gravel is maintained by the Endless Mountains Heritage Region in partnership with the Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission, Susquehanna County Promotion & Tourism Agency, and avid local cyclists. For information, visit here.