In the Summer of 2023, Cardinal Bicycle of Roanoke invites you to learn how to enjoy the real backroads.

Gravel Camp is a fun way to think of a series of four rides offered in the summer of 2023 in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The bike shop offers a mix of single-day rides along with a weekend that includes an overnight stay at the Wilderness Adventure Lodge. All the details are at the bottom of this post along with a link to the event website.

Gravel Camp Number one

In the meantime, let me tell you a bit about Gravel Camp number one which happened in Bedford County on May 20 and my particular mission as a writer/reporter/curious cyclist.

I am still trying to unbox the whole gravel thing.

I say this as someone who loves it. So it’s not like I can’t understand the appeal. Also, know that I spend most of my time riding my road bike and dreaming of having the time to ride my mountain bike.

So there’s that.

But where does gravel fit in? Is it just a road ride on a dirt road?

Not really.

There’s specific gear that makes it more enjoyable and honestly more doable.

And then there’s the social conundrum. And here I need to be delicate.

For example, let’s just pretend that you buy into the notion that road cyclists can be a bit, well, elitist. While mountain bikers might be the most affable group of people on the planet.

For example, let’s just say that you buy into the notion that road cyclists can be a bit, well, elitist. While mountain bikers might be the most affable group of people on the planet.

Rather than throw my brethren roadies under the bus, I’ll just fess up.

I don’t always take the time to acknowledge a fellow road cyclist when I am hammering and totally focused on maintaining a certain speed and completely absorbed in my own realm.

But I would never fail to ask a fellow mountain biker, “What’s Up?” if we pass on the trail.

If you own both types of bikes, admit it. It’s true.

So if roadies are lycra-clad isolationists and mountain bikers are dressed for a potential spontaneous party, where do gravel cyclists fit in?

Gravel camp riding

Looking for answers at Gravel Camp

Let’s examine the clothes.

Mountain bikers wear loose-fitting shorts and some kind of wild, loose-ish jersey, typically with no pockets on the back. The whole look bespeaks a casual approach to a good time sweating and dodging trees and searching for a beer maybe somewhere.

On the road, the idea is to take the wind out of the equation, so we wear clothes that are as tight fitting as vanity will allow.

Therefore, on the gravel bike, if you’re trying to fit in, do you wear loose-fitting clothes, even though there is no real need?

Or do you lycra up and secretly obsess over your average speed?

See?

Thus, at Gravel Camp, I became a stealth observer. I was looking at the bikes, the tires, and the attire.

I would estimate that about half of the people wore straight-up roadie outfits. While the other half sported some kind of baggie shorts, and a variety of types of cycling jerseys.

But, everybody was friendly and more in search of a good time than the data on their Garmin or Wahoo.

Although I typically opt for baggie shorts and a road jersey along with my mountain bike helmet (with visor) On this day I went for the pure roadie look.

But I made sure to be friendly.

Watch the VLOG to see what others in the group think of gravel!

Gravel Camp – The Video

John Rides along on Gravel Camp 1 and seeks the deep answers for gravel cyclists.

Want to see maybe the best Gravel Ride you can do? Cycling 60 Miles of Gorgeous Gravel

By the way, Listen to John and co-host Dan Lucas discuss Gravel Camp on the Rider-Up Podcast.

Also — I can’t forget after the ride, Cardinal served up an amazing lunch, and I should also say the Gravel Camp t-shirt is my new favorite cycling tee.

The info on Cardinal Bicycle’s Gravel Camp series.

Click here to go to Cardinal’s website for Gravel Camp

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Roanoke/GravelCamp?mc_cid=c991286d6d&mc_eid=b89622768a

Enjoy four fully-supported rides on some of the best gravel routes in Virginia. Beginner-friendly and advanced routes will build on each other to prepare you for the final Gravel Camp weekend—two days of riding from Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing.

Sign up for a ride individually, or join our Gravel Camp Training Program to build your fitness and skills in a supportive group environment. 

 These are non-timed rides and not races. 

Camp Schedule:

Each camp day is a supported gravel ride, with food and snacks mid-ride, and one of our professional mechanics at the start and on course if anything unexpected comes up. 

Ride 1: Saturday May 20

Ride 2: Saturday June 24 

  • Start 9am
  • Location: Red Rooster Coffee, Floyd, VA
  • 25-Mile Route: Scenic rolling gravel and pavement through farmlands and forest with a few steep climbs. This ride is short in distance, but the climbing can be challenging. None of the climbs are long, but they can be steep. We will have no drop groups based on pace, which means everyone will stay together. Expect ride times of 2 to 3.5 hours. There will be one aid station at mile 10.
  • 45-Mile Route: Scenic rolling gravel and pavement through farmlands and forest. The climbs are short and punchy, and a full day of up and down makes this a challenging ride. Option to explore some singletrack along the way. Experienced riders can expect ride times of 4 to 6 hours. There will be one aid station at mile 25.

Rides 3 and 4: Saturday July 22 and Sunday July 23

  • Start 9am
  • Location: Wilderness Adventure Lodge
  • Saturday Short Route: Coming soon
  • Saturday Long Route: Coming soon
  • Sunday Short Route: Coming soon
  • Sunday Long Route: Coming soon

Book Camping and Lodging directly through Wilderness Adventure

Gravel Camp Training Program (includes all 4 rides):

Interested in these rides but not sure if you are up to the distance? Our training program will help you get there. This program includes all four rides, a 16-week training plan that is suitable for beginners or more experienced riders, and special discounts and opportunities from Cardinal Bicycle. 

Gravel Camp Tee