Looking for a new bikepacking adventure? How about one that’s 2200-mile-long, and only carries a difficulty rating of 4 out of 10? The non-profit organization, Bikepacking Roots has just what you’re looking for. Yup, now you can ride the full length of the famous US Mail Pony Express route from the olden days (that means the 1860s, kids).
The route starts in St. Joseph, Missouri covering 2200 miles as it meanders its way to Sacramento, California… crossing the beautiful states of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and finally California.
The route has been in the works for years as Jan Bennett did all of the research and test-rode the route. Doing so she found some long-forgotten relay stations and water sources.
You’ll be riding a route that yields a whopping 85% unpaved roads in the way of dirt or gravel, using car-free trails to get you through some of the major cities. According to Bikepacking Roots, there are “some sections, particularly in the mountains of Nevada that are rough, rocky, and decidedly not dirt or gravel”.
So, when planning, keep that in mind.
This sounds like a great route for those of us who are history buffs, as the route will take you through the remains of the Pony Express stations along the way. There’ll be commemorative markers denoting important landmarks, graves, and other fascinating info.
You can click here to check out the highlights of the route.
How to get in on the Pony Express Action
For a $60 donation and the printed, 150-page spiral-bound guidebook as well as digital route data, go here.
For a $30 donation and the strictly digital,150-page PDF guidebook and the route data, go here.
