The Pony Express Bikepacking Route
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.
Interested in being one of our route Scouts in 2020?
We are seeking adventurous, experienced bikepackers interested in being volunteer scouts. Although extensive reconnaissance of the route has already been conducted by Jan Bennett, we are looking for a cadre of veteran bikepackers who are eager to ride [some of] an ambitious new route, provide feedback, additional assessment and information about water and services along the way, share photos, and potentially help out in some other ways.
As of late March, we've closed the sign-up period for Route Scouts. If you're interested in helping but, please send us an email with a bit of information about your bikepacking background, when you're considering riding some or all of the route, and how you're interested in helping out with these final stages of route development.
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?
Interested in being one of our route Scouts in 2020?
We are seeking adventurous, experienced bikepackers interested in being volunteer scouts. Although extensive reconnaissance of the route has already been conducted by Jan Bennett, we are looking for a cadre of veteran bikepackers who are eager to ride [some of] an ambitious new route, provide feedback, additional assessment and information about water and services along the way, share photos, and potentially help out in some other ways.
As of late March, we've closed the sign-up period for Route Scouts. If you're interested in helping but, please send us an email with a bit of information about your bikepacking background, when you're considering riding some or all of the route, and how you're interested in helping out with these final stages of route development.
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
Development of this route has been the vision and work of Jan Bennett. She has put many 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 with a scouting program to support the final stages of the route project.
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