Green Ridge Gravelcoaster 2023

The Green Ridge Gravelcoaster is a free self-supported bikepacking event that loops, twists, and turns through the gorgeous and grueling terrain of Green Ridge State Forest — Maryland’s largest tract of public land — and adjacent forests and country roads.

Green Ridge State Forest borders the C&O Canal and Eastern Divide Trail but remains largely unexplored by bicyclists (across numerous scouting trips, I never saw another bicyclist). On these routes, you’ll enjoy endless miles of forest roads, visit numerous overlooks, grind up Maryland’s biggest gravel climbs, and scream down the corresponding descents.

All routes are 70-75% unpaved by distance (80-90% by ride time) and have various camping options. The 239-mile Ultracoaster route has over 25,000ft of climbing and a wide mix of surfaces that will challenge experienced bikepackers: gravel, 4WD roads, doubletrack, low-traffic country roads, a bit of singletrack, and an unbridged river crossing. Several shorter options are offered, including the more beginner-friendly 63-mile Minicoaster with 5,000ft of climbing on a mix of less technical forest roads and canal/rail trails.