GRAVEL ROUTES IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY, WV

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Bikes & Equipment

While this is a collection of “gravel” routes, you will be happiest on an All-Terrain-style adventure gravel bike on the more rugged end of the spectrum: wider tires and lower gearing. We suggest at least a 45mm tire, and you won’t regret having a 2.x” tire on many of the routes. For gearing, many routes feature shorter, steep climbs (few rise higher than 1000’), but grades can vary from 10-20% or steeper for short sections. Consider gearing with lower than a 1:1 ratio (chainring to smallest cassette cog) as a minimum if you’re strong and fit, and preferably mountain bike or bikepacking gearing to save your knees and keep a smile on your face. Many cyclists have reported that a bikepacking bike setup, such as a rig equipped for the Tour Divide, is a good option for day riding around here! And many local riders default to a hardtail MTB to cover all unforeseen opportunities.

When to Visit

The best months to ride are April through October, with spring and fall days having colder temperatures overnight and even the possibility of snow at higher elevations. Spring colors usually peak in late April, and fall foliage in October. Summer months bring warm weather, though much of the route is shaded and benefits from the cooler temperatures at higher elevations, especially on the eastern edge of Preston County. Check out the Visit Mountaineer Country website for general planning information on the region.

Safety

Traffic is always a rider’s greatest concern; care and attention has been put into keeping routes off busy roads, although there may be short sections to connect into towns and their services, or unlock longer gravel corridors. Be extra careful at rush hour, and generally on any paved road with painted lines. At dawn and dusk, keep alert for darting deer especially on steep, fast and winding downhills (there’s usually more than one deer). Road surfaces vary and are generally more rugged on steeper grades, so make sure your bike and brakes are maintained to keep the rubber on the road when bombing downhill. Watch for side-by-sides, ATVs and dirt bikes, which love these roads as much as we do. Houses and farms with known unleashed dogs are marked with waypoints where notably encountered during research; best practice is to get off your bike and stand behind it, giving the dogs less reason to chase you and usually they will lose interest (or the owner will come out and call it in). Mobile phone coverage varies throughout the route and is most limited in valleys and farther from Morgantown; the jury’s still out on which network is best (AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon). Consider carrying a satellite communicator for emergency calls anywhere (Garmin inReach and newer iPhones).