How I Got Here
In 2025, I became inspired by people like Soya Jones, who is currently on a bikepacking trip in Asia after first riding through Europe and the Middle East. As a mountain biker, I’m more accustomed to riding hard for 2 hours than riding for 10 hours at a moderate pace, so this kind of biking was something wholly new to me. Attracted by a sense of adventure, I started doing longer rides. One Saturday, I rode 60+ miles to a local mountain bike trail, and on Sunday, I rode 60+ miles on the Bay Circuit Trail. I loved it! My mountain bikes weren’t ideal for these types of rides, and I soon bought a Salsa Fargo, a gravel bike well-suited to off-road adventures. I did a solo overnight ride in NH and then an overnight ride with the New England Riding Expedition Riders in western MA. With these fun rides under my belt, I’m looking forward to some bigger challenges in 2026. I really love bikepacking!
2026 Focus Races
My Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) for the year is the Super 8, and to get there, I’m mapping out rides that will prepare me for that big-ass ride.
April
| Mix Tape April 12 Fall Rivah, MA STATUS: Registered! | Pavement Ends Part of NE Gravel Triple Crown Series 40-50 miles, 4000′ climbing April 18 Henniker, NH STATUS: Registration open, not yet registered |
| Gunks Not Dead 2-day bikepacking race April 24 – April 26 Kerhonkson NY STATUS: Registration not yet open |
June
| Raid Rockingham USA Cycling Permit 60 miles June 7 Newmarket, NH Status: Registration opens Saturday, Jan 10 at 12:15 AM ET | VT Monster Gravel Grinder 100 miles mid-June Stratton VT STATUS: Registration not yet open |
| Guilford Gravel Grinder (G3) Part of NE Gravel Triple Crown Series 40 miles, 5,000′ climbing June/July Guilford, VT STATUS: Registration not yet open |
August
| MAINEly Gravel Part of NE Gravel Triple Crown Series 55 miles August 8 New Gloucester, ME STATUS: Registration open, not yet registered | Vermont Overland 55 Miles, 7,000′ climbing 15 August 15 Ascutney, Vermont STATUS: Registered w/ car camping option; info on Movemint website |
*** September ***
| *** Super 8 *** 655 Miles; 55,000′ Late September Montpelier, Vermont |
October
Essex County Cider Donut Dirt Randonee
100 Miles
Early October
Munroe Velo Bike Shop; Topsfield, Massachusetts
Rides I Might Do Whenever
Roundabout Brattleboro
127 Miles; 10,500′
Brattleboro, MA
Velomont Trail
Heart of the Greens Loop
38 Miles; 6,000′