UPDATED FOR 2023 RACE

You aren’t in Kansas anymore, folks. This is PA and we’ve got some hills for you! We’ve been exploring these backroads since 2017 and we’ve got some of the very best gravel you’ll ever ride. Our roads follow the terrain along the many creek beds deep in the valley. But, you won’t be the valley very long. You’ll climb along hills that seems to last longer than they appeared at the bottom, passing cattle, goats and even some donkeys. When you reach the top of the ridge, you’ll rewarded with stunning vistas of farmlands owned by generations of the same families who settled our keystone state. The gravel here is good. We guarantee you’ll enjoy it.

Our Course Director, Don, created beautiful routes connecting the gravel roads in this area. In all, there are 4 main courses for your gravel riding and racing pleasure:

The Cask 97 Miles
The Jug 76 Miles
The Pint 49 Miles
The Sip 28 Miles

All the courses are non-lapped, meaning you will only ride gravel roads in the course once. A few words about our gravel here: it’s good. Not sharp. Hard-packed dirt with loose gravel over it, generally speaking. Groomed, drivable roads. OK, maybe not with a sports car. But you get our drift. The size of the gravel varies from pea-size to about your fist. And there is no rail-trail crushed limestone in the Whiskey Rebellion. It’s 75% gravel with paved roads to tie it all together.

Before we get to the GPX files, let us fill you in on how the courses are constructed. For the 2023 WRG, you’ll ride all new courses but with the same “loop” setup since 2017. Every WRG follows the same setup. You’ll ride 1 to 2 Loops in sequence to make up your race/ride distance. All Loops start and end at the Venue. This way you’re never too, too far away and it’s super easy to stay on track. Depending on the distance you choose, you could cross several Covered Bridges.

AID STATION LOCATIONS

Loop 1: Mile 27.2
Loop 2: Mile 30.3
Loop 2S: Mile 24.1
PLUS the Base Station located at the Venue. See Venue Map for location.

All Aid Stations will be stocked with water, hydration mix, pickle juice, bananas, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, snacks and bars. You’ll find friendly staff at every Aid Station! You’re also welcome to bring your own feed kit. Check the Rider’s Guide in your email inbox for instructions.

ROUTE DISTANCES

Now, let’s talk about distance. Every year Don triangulates, cut-outs, re-figures and just about everything you can think of to create the safest, most rideable gravel courses he can. He eliminates roads with aggressive dogs, roads with a lot of cars, etc and put back in the roads most amount of gravel to construct the best possible course. All of these changes ended up changing a few of the distances and moving the courses further into southwest PA. Don has created more recovery downhills for you with less high traffic road crossings. Plus, there are less Loops to remember and load into your GPS. With the changes for 2023, sadly, the SHOT 35 Mile is no longer in the WRG. You’ll need to pick the Jug or the Sip. Believe me, both will kick your butt. He says it’s his best and FASTEST course ever. Give him heck when you see him if it isn’t! Below are the new distances, climbing elevation and loops that you’ll follow for the 2023 WRG:

CASK 97 Miles

The CASK is BACK but it’s 30 miles less with 4,000+ less elevation than previous years. The updated 2023 CASK is now 97 Miles with 8,992 ft of climbing elevation. It sounds easier but it’s still hard, really.

To race the CASK, RIDE Loop 1 and then Loop 2

JUG 76 Miles

The JUG is now 76 Miles with 6,923 ft of climbing elevation.

To race the JUG, RIDE Loop 1 and then Loop 2 S

PINT 49 Miles

The PINT is now 49 Miles with 4,754 ft of climbing elevation

To race the PINT, RIDE Loop 2 only

SIP 28 Miles

The SIP is now 28 Miles with 2,685 ft of climbing elevation.

To ride the SIP, RIDE Loop 2 S only

I know what you’re thinking. Show me the routes. OK, scroll on down to read about downloading the WRG GPX files from our RidewithGPS Club account, RidePAGravel! But REMEMBER, roads do change between now and RACE DAY. The FINAL OFFICIAL routes will be in the RIDERS GUIDE sent to all registered riders 1 week before RACE DAY. So watch your email inbox!

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RidePAGravel on RidewithGPS

Every past and present WRG is constructed in RidewithGPS and is stored in the RidePAGravel account. RidePAGravel is entirely FREE and all you need to access the WRG GPX files and PA’s finest gravel routes is to set up a free RidewithGPS account. Then sign up for the RidePAGravel account. To race or ride the WRG, you MUST have a GPS device. We mark the entire course. It takes two (2) twelve-hour days to mark the entire course. However, you could still miss a turn. Bring your GPS device or ride with someone who has one! And REMEMBER, roads do change between now and RACE DAY. The FINAL OFFICIAL routes will be in the RIDERS GUIDE sent to all registered riders 1 week before RACE DAY. So watch your email inbox!

COURSES