RockStar Challenge 2026

RockStar VA Grand Depart is an annual challenge idea: “Bike from Rocktown (Harrisonburg) to the Star City (Roanoke) along the RockStar TRAIL, GRAVEL or PAVÉ routes!”

The Routes:

TRAIL – The Trail route is amazing and regarded as a legendary challenge ride. The route does not exhaustively explore all trail areas it touches BUT it will give folks a good taste of each destination. Make no mistake, this is a rider’s course. It’s not a get you from A to B on dirt as directly as possible. It’s a route that will thrill and delight and it’s very tough physically, technically and mentally. Before attempting the RockStar Trail route be sure your MTB is in excellent working order and fitted with durable tires that have sidewall protection. (Approx: 65% Trail, 20% Gravel, 15% Pavement)

GRAVEL – Unbelievably beautiful and much more challenging than a traditional gravel event. Gravel bikes with 38c or larger tires or hardtail MTBs work well for this route. (Approx: 65% Dirt/Gravel Roads, 32% Paved Backroads / Paths, 2% Trail)

PAVE – The Pave route is also stunning and it stays mostly in the valleys alongside the ridgelines that the Trail and Gravel routes use. A road bike with 28c or larger tires is the recommended steed. (Approx: 85% Country Backroads, 15% Road-bikeable Dirt Roads)

The Grand Depart inspires folks to enjoy the incredible RockStar routes, maybe test themselves, and it stimulates massive annual trail clearing efforts that all trail users benefit from. Also, by enjoying and caring for these wild backcountry routes and trails we’re helping to protect and preserve these places and experiences.