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  Bikepacking Roots

The Pony Express Bikepacking Route

The Pony Express Bikepacking Route
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?
  • 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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What is riding the remote Great Basin section of the Pony Express Bikepacking Route like?
400 miles and no resupply options without going off route? Watch to learn more about Jan Bennett's experience riding across western Utah and eastern Nevada during their spring, 2021 reconnaissance trip.
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Bikepacking Roots is a 7,000-member-strong 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing bikepacking, growing a diverse bikepacking community, advocating for the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride, and creating professional routes. We value human-powered experiences and an inclusive, engaged, and informed membership that makes a positive impact as we adventure by bike.
Our Business Partners support the bikepacking community, conservation, and public lands:
Our organizational partners that support bikepacking, advocacy, conservation, and outdoor recreation:



Bikepacking Roots is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization (EIN 81-2622394)

All content and route data copyright 2016-2021 Bikepacking Roots.
Bikepacking Roots and our logo are registered trademarks.

  • News
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Toolbox for Bikepackers
    • Love Where You Ride: Positive Impact & Leave No Trace Bikepacking
    • Advocacy Issue Submission
    • Where we stand
    • Who are bikepackers?
  • Routes
    • Our Routes
    • BPR Route Rating Scale
    • Western Wildlands Route >
      • WWR Updates
      • WWR Downloads and Guides
      • WWR Segment 1
      • WWR Segment 2
      • WWR Segment 3
      • WWR Segment 4
      • WWR Segment 5
      • WWR Segment 6
      • WWR Segment 7
      • WWR Segment 8
      • WWR Segment 9
    • The Intermountain Connectors >
      • Intermountain Connector Updates
    • Northwoods Route >
      • Northwoods Route Downloads and Guides
      • Northwoods Route Updates
    • Bears Ears Loops >
      • Bears Ears Loops Downloads and Guides
      • Bears Ears Loops Updates
    • Plateau Passage >
      • Plateau Passage Segments
    • Colorado 14ers Loop
    • Craters and Cinder Cones
    • Orogenesis
    • Pony Express Route
  • Community
    • BIPOC Bike Adventure Program
    • Bikepacking Community Survey
  • About
    • Mission
    • Who we are
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Store
  • Join
  • Donate