2025 Hellbender Extinction Grand Depart

This ride is as metal as the Hellbender: Starting at the famous Cooper’s Rock State Forest you get to pick from 5 route options that, combined, total nearly 950 miles and 100,000 feet of Appalachian climbing, with choices of length from 60 to 310 miles. We tried our best, but an average of 100ft/mile was the best we could do in this mountain country, making it your own personal version of Hell in every route! Riders will traverse the Monongahela (Monoga-Hell-Yea!) River Basin, a richly diverse region in Appalachia and home to the Eastern Hellbender. The Extinction routes explore 3 rivers, dozens of creeks, over 15 swim spots (more if you get creative!), waterfalls, and enough Appalachian scenery to make a Hellbender cry. You’ll explore the 3 states in the West-Mary-Vania region: including 11 wild areas and state forests, 5 local breweries in both West Virginia and Maryland, and visit unique small towns across all on one incredible ride!

The namesake: The raddest creature in the river, the Hellbender Salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) or the snot otter, lasagna lizard, devil dog, mud-devil, mud dog, water dog, grampus, Allegheny alligator, and leverian water newt. Story goes that this bad boy got his name from early European settlers turned hillbillies, who thought to themselves: “This here is a creature from Hell where it is bent on returning!” Still, others say that when these salt-of-the-earth river folk scooped up the Hellbender from the water for closer inspection, that merely looking at its skin reminded them of the horrible tortures of the infernal regions.

When thinking of sick Appalachian animals, how could it possibly get any sicker than that? However, this lasagna lizard is nosediving straight for extinction. Yep, turns out all the chemicals, dams, and habitat destruction in rivers aren’t great at supporting life. (Who knew?) I will be the first to tell you that the Hellbender is PISSED about that. Hell, I would be too if all I lived in those rivers. So we figured, while we bike and boat in the pristine Hellbender habitat of the Monogehela River Basin without a care in the world, the least we could do is light a fire under our ass too. These damning routes were created to fire you up with pure ecologically righteous rage! Thus, the Hellbender’s Extinction was born.

Our pals over at the Friends of Decker’s Creek (FODC) have been kind enough to donate some amazing prizes to the ride! FODC is a local West Virginia nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to clean up decades of environmental degradation inflicted on our local watershed. Over time, they are improving the natural qualities of the Deckers Creek Watershed, increasing public concern for its health, and promoting its enjoyment. When you register for the Grand Depart and donate to FODC, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win custom FODC bikepacking straps or an FODC Rain Barrel that will continue to protect our waterways! Donate a minimum of $5 with your entry for your chance to win!