Bikepacking Clinics, Events and Other Special Events andOutings. Our leaders are experienced and provide safe routes, outings guidance, and welcoming sessions for newer participants.
Backpacking and Bikepacking Trips
Bikepacking 101 – Preparation Clinics and Weekend Outing
Join Outdoor Pursuits and Trek Gahanna for a beginner-friendly introduction to bikepacking with our two-part clinic series to prep for our bikepacking trip.
Clinics – February 25 and March 24, 5:30 pm, at Trek Gahanna, 1374 N Hamilton Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230
Shakedown Ride – April 20 – Camp Chase Trailhead on Alkire Road depart at 10:00 a.m. 8465 Alkire Road. We will ride to London to the Madison County Senior center, and return to our cars. 26 miles. We are going to offer the option of spending the night at the center too. Registration Required
Weekend Bikepacking Trip – May 18-19 – The trip is from Bexley, Ohio to Alum Creek State Park Group Campsite. Approximately 28 miles one way. We will meet at 9:30 at the Bexley Pool parking lot, 2100 Clifton Avenue. We have permission from Bexley Parks & Rec with an overnight watch by Bexley Police. Trek will be there to offer any assistance and last-minute checks to riders Registration Required
Clinic Topics:
• The bike
• The gear
• Prepping and training for a trip
• How to pack
Bikepacking Trip Information
Experienced bikepacking leaders will provide guidance and support to first-time bikepackers. The trip from Bexley to Alum Creek Park is approximately 28 miles. Rest and lunch opportunities will be available in xxx. Return distance is the same. Ride leaders will distribute detailed ride itineraries during the clinics. Trip Leader is Penny Marchal, 614-562-0983.
Registration is required for the Shakedown Ride and/or the Weekend Outing.
Register Here for Bikepacking 101!
2024 GAP Trail Adventure (Great Allegheny Passage in PA)
150 Miles from Cumberland, MD to Pittsburgh, PA
June 6 – 10, 2024
REGISTER HERE for the GAP Adventure!
Join Outdoor Pursuits June 6th through June 10th for our 1st GAP Trail Bikepacking Tour. This tour will be approximately 150 miles, starting at Cumberland, Maryland and ending in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Experienced bikepackers will lead you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States. This is a self-supported ride, meaning riders are responsible for carrying their gear. Overnight accommodations are included in the price. Dinner on June 6th and breakfast on June 7th are included, but you will be responsible for all other meals.
This ride is presented by, and benefits, Columbus Outdoor Pursuits a 501c3.
Enjoy incredible scenery and some of the best riding you can imagine on this this popular destination trail.
July 6-12, 2024 (4 riding days – 4-5 nights)
Tour Capacity – 25 riders
Daily Mileage – We ride 31-52 miles per day. Routes are marked and GPS tracks and maps are available.
Point-to-Point Logistics – Riders check in at the Traveler’s Rest Hotel in Pittsburgh. This hotel caters to GAP cyclists and we’ll enjoy a group dinner & breakfast there before boarding a shuttle bus to transport us to Cumberland, Maryland. We’ll ride the GAP trail westward to finish where you’ve left your cars near the Traveler’s Rest Hotel. Transport of riders, bicycles, and luggage is included in the tour registration. Safe and monitored parking for your car is provided in Pittsburgh at Station Square parking facility 1/2 mile from the Traveler’s Rest Hotel. We’ve arranged a discount price of $20 for the week.
Terrain – It feels flat because it is a rail trail. There will be gentle elevation gains and losses. The trail is either paved or tightly compacted pea gravel.
Overnight Lodging – After the initial hotel stay in Pittsburgh and shuttle to Cumberland, this is a bikepacking trip. Riders are expected to carry their tents & sleeping bags for three nights of primitive camping. The registration fee includes the cost of three group camps that we’ve reserved. All campgrounds cater to GAP cyclists; you’ll find them beautiful and comfortable. Meals are on your own (except for the opening and closing dinners).
SAG (Support and Gear) – We will have a support vehicle at camps and on the nearby roads for anyone who needs serious assistance. We strongly suggest that you ensure your bike is in good condition before leaving home, and that you have any potential concerns looked at by your local bike shop before the ride. It’s no fun to have your ride cut short by a preventable mechanical issue.
Pricing – Early bird registration is $650 through March 31st. Registration will increase to $700 on April 1st. Registration includes the first night’s lodging at the Traveler’s Rest, two meals there, cost of overnight camping the next three nights on the trail, the shuttle bus ride and bicycle transport from Pittsburgh to Cumberland.
Weather – Typically, we have highs in the low 80s and overnight lows in the mid 60s. An afternoon rain is always a possibility. Be prepared for both higher and lower temperatures as that can and does sometimes happen.
Itinerary:
June 6th – Meet at Traveler’s Rest Hotel at 6:00 p.m. A unique hotel that loves cyclists. We have rented the entire hotel. Our overnight accommodations include dinner on June 6th and breakfast on June 7th. For those wanting a more private accomodation, a block of rooms are available at the Holiday Inn. You will be responsible for the costs of renting a hotel room from the Holiday Inn. https://www.sstrpgh.com/
June 7th – 32 Miles
Shuttle arrives at 9:00 a.m. to load our bikes, gear and us to travel to Cumberland, MD for our GAP start. We will be dropped off at Mile “0”. From here we will ride to Meyersdale, PA. This will be the day with the largest elevation change, but after that it is all downhill (mostly). Overnight accommodations are at Maple Festival Park Campground. https://www.pamaplefestival.com/
June 8th – 31 Miles
Travel to Confluence, PA. accommodations at the Outflow Group site. A beautiful campsite on the Youghiogheny River. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233679
June 9th – 52 Miles
Travel to West Newton, PA. This will be our longest day in mileage on the GAP. We have accommodations at the GAP Trail Campground for our final evening. This campground caters only to cyclists and a wonderful place to spend our last night out. https://gaptrailcampground.com/
June 10th – 35 Miles
The final leg of our GAP Trail. We will travel to Pittsburgh, and back to our cars.
REGISTER HERE for the GAP Adventure!
General Information about the GAP Trail can be found here – https://gaptrail.org/
REGISTER NOW! SPACE LIMITED
Cancellation Fees – $55 until June 1st. After this point all fees will be considered a donation to Columbus Outdoor Pursuits 501©(3).