just got this email about a new route from The Adventure Cycling Association. seems cool. here's the excerpt from their website.
"The Golden Gravel Trail was created in 2026 to celebrate Adventure Cycling Association’s 50th “golden” anniversary, redefining what long-distance, off-road bikepacking can look like in the United States. Spanning eight states—Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon—this groundbreaking route stretches 3,805 miles (6,124 km) from the banks of the Mississippi River to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, riders experience the full spectrum of American landscapes: the rolling Ozark hills, the vast Great Plains, challenging alpine passes, rugged canyon country, and high desert basins before descending through lush coastal forests to the dramatic Pacific shoreline.
This mixed-surface adventure combines the technical challenge of primarily off-road riding with the soul-stirring diversity of America’s most iconic terrain. Built through meticulous research and local partnerships, the Golden Gravel Trail is the ultimate celebration of adventure, endurance, and the transformative power of bicycle travel."
by TheElPistolero
1 Comment
I was planning on riding this route this year, but my departure time from the west coast ended up being late May to Early June. And with the forecasted insane heat for much of the west this summer, I decided to save this for another time when I can leave much later and ride it though the fall.
Looking forward to hearing people’s experiences on this new route. It looks and sounds incredible from the pics, videos, and write-ups that I have seen released so far.