The 1st Annual Crooked River Rambler is here! Join us for a proper Western Maine gravel adventure at peak fall foliage! For months a crew of cyclists and friends have been scheming the best way to connect the most beautiful gravel roads and quirky rural delights that the Crooked River watershed has in store…and we're now ready to share it with you!

The highlights:

Pedal by half a dozen remote ponds in a lush Maine pine forestSoak in epic mountain views from your high gravel perchConquer historic farm roads and ATV trails Ponder the mythical “Hand on the Rock” Gaze into the depths of the legendary Kezar Gorge

This ride is not a race. It's designed to bring people together around a shared love of the outdoors and provide an opportunity to challenge yourself, explore a new place, and hopefully make a few new friends! Read on for more specifics, but know this: the route is mostly sane, at times rough, and may make you laugh (hopefully not cry, but no promises).

Rules

Be safeHave funGet shit doneDon't take yourself too seriously

What's included in my registration fee:

The ride A sweet “Crooked River Rambler” stickerPost-ride meal provided by local food cart/truck

Venue

This event will take place at Headwaters Maine, a new rural recreation hub in the foothills of the White Mountains and high in the Crooked River headwaters region. Everything before and after the ride will take place at this location. Here there will be a check-in tent, water, porto-potties, and food (coffee and baked goods before the ride, food cart after the ride). This is also where you will park for the event, and stick around for the afterparty (more below)!

The Ride

10am start, don't be late! (Check-in starts at 9am)33 miles with a strategic bail-out point at the halfway mark for a shorter 23 mile ride65% off-pavement3-4 aid stations spread out along the route to supply you with unique and fun snacks along with electrolytes and stoke to keep you going! How about you just see for yourself?!: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47753308 (route subject to minor changes between now and ride day)

Recommended Bike/Gear

All riders should be prepared and self-sufficient! Bring spare tub, pump/c02, patch kit, tire irons, repair tool. Bring plenty of water storage capacity and snakcs. Distances between water re-fill and snack stations may be up to 15 miles. It is recommended you ride this route with a bicycle. Although perhaps a unicycle or a tricycle could also work. As to what kind, that's up to you. If all you've got is a full-suspension mountain bike, that'll do. If you're one of those gear heads who has 8 bikes, surely one will also do. This route has been done on every kind of bike there is, including a commuter bike given to the rider for a high school graduation present 11 years ago. If you have a gravel bike, that'll definitely work. Run whatcha brung.

After Party

Following the ride, there will be food, libations, yard games and music back at Headwaters. Capping the night off with a bonfire and s'mores for those who choose to spend the night! More information on the after-party in the coming weeks.

Camping

Free car, tent, van, bus camping to anyone who wants it Friday and Saturday night. Friday night you'll mostly be on your own as we will be setting up for the event. Saturday night we'll be having a bonfire with smore's. There will be porto-potties and a water jug, otherwise bring everything you need!

Safety

Unfortunately, riding a bicycle, particularly on roads also traveled by cars, can be a dangerous activity. We take safety at this event super seriously and we hope you will too. Our safety measure include:

An emergency plan to be shared with all riders prior to ride day so they know what to do in the event of an emergency on the course Our med team (led by a registered Nurse and Wilderness First Responder) will be riding sweep Check-in and check-out to ensure everyone makes it off the course safely First aid kit available at all aid stations and at basecamp

Volunteers

We are still in need of volunteers to help us staff aid stations for this ride. If you don't think this ride is for you but you still want to be a part of it, please reach out to [email protected] to see how you can help! Also, if you'd like to make the trip with your significant other or friend but they don't ride, have them join us at an aid station and they're sure to have even more fun than you!