The Pony Express Bikepacking Route
To be released in Spring 2022
To be released in Spring 2022
The Pony Express Bikepacking Route, currently in the final stages of development, begins in St. Joseph, Missouri and covers more than 2,200 miles as it makes its way to Sacramento, California, crossing Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California along the way. 85% of the route is on dirt and gravel with a few car-free bike trails to get riders through major cities. But some sections, particularly in the mountains of Nevada, are rough, rocky, and are decidedly not dirt or gravel roads. History is alive and well along much of the route, with the remains of original Pony Express stations still visible in many places, and commemorative markers along the way denoting important landmarks, graves, and important information.
What's the ideal time of year to ride? April to October, with the shoulder seasons raising the probability of snow in some of the higher passes. As the dry summer months progress some stretches will become more loose and sandy. Spring can mean an increased chance for severe weather in the high plains. Fall can mean that natural water sources may not be flowing as freely after the dry summer months.
What are the biggest challenges along this route?
All route resources, including detailed GPS data, resupply and water source charts, and an extensive guidebook, will be released in Spring of 2022!
What's the ideal time of year to ride? April to October, with the shoulder seasons raising the probability of snow in some of the higher passes. As the dry summer months progress some stretches will become more loose and sandy. Spring can mean an increased chance for severe weather in the high plains. Fall can mean that natural water sources may not be flowing as freely after the dry summer months.
What are the biggest challenges along this route?
- Planning for long stretches without resupply, and additional contingencies in the event of mechanicals and/or severe weather
- Water carrying capacity (6L+)
- Ability to carry 3+ days of food (4-6 if you ride straight through from Salt Lake City to Austin, Nevada)
- Exposure to intense sun as shade is rare in the high desert
- Exposure to severe weather as shelter can be rare in the high desert
- Picking a bike for long stretches of well-graded gravel roads yet still provides confidence on rocky mountain two-track as well as a bit of single-track
All route resources, including detailed GPS data, resupply and water source charts, and an extensive guidebook, will be released in Spring of 2022!
Development of this route has been the vision and work of Jan Bennett. They have put countless months of time into reconnaissance, reaching out to private land owners and communities along the way over the past few years. Bikepacking Roots is helping Jan with the final stages of the route project.
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