Beyond the Pavement, A Beginner Bikepacking Adventure through Arcadia (RI)

Please use the link to register:
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001Cuc92AC/act00022376

Love to backpack? (…and you have camping gear.) Love to bike? (…and your bike tires are > 40mm.) Are you curious about bikepacking? If your answers are yes, it's time to go Beyond the Pavement. Join us for a beginner-friendly self-supported bikepacking overnight trip.

Day 1/Saturday: We will ride ~20 miles from Richmond to our camp site in Arcadia Management Area (RI). Our route, on paved rural roads and unpaved forest service roads, will take us by the pristine Wood River, Young Boulder (a troll sculpture by Thomas Dambo), and Browning Mill Pond. Elevation gain will be < 1200’. Arcadia is a well-used park so it is not unusual to share the road with cars, horses, bikers, and hikers.

Day 2/Sunday: We will take a different scenic route, on paved and unpaved surfaces, to return to Richmond. The distance and elevation gain will be similar to Day 1.

Bicycle: A gravel bike, mountain bike, or a durable commuter bike with wide tires is required for this trip. Road bikes will not work for this event. Wide tires provide stability and comfort when riding on gravel with a bike loaded with camping gear. It is recommended to check with your local bike store regarding tires.

Campsite: Our campsite is backwoods. There is no running water, no showers, no flush toilets. There is an outhouse.

Water: Our campsite does not have a potable water source. Water will come from the rivers and ponds we pass on our ride or the river near our camp (~0.5 mile walk). You are required to bring your own water purification/filtration system to filter cooking and drinking water. We do not go by any stores/gas stations for resupply.

Food: You are responsible for 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, and high-calorie snacks. We do not go by any stores/gas stations for resupply.

Important Note: We will not pass any resupply points along the route. You must pack enough food for the entire weekend (1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, and high-calorie snacks) and you must bring a water filtration system.

Bikepacking Gear: This trip is fully self-supported and participants will carry their own sleeping gear, food, and water. Be sure to read the Bikepacking Gear List. It will help get you started on your packing. Your bike should be loaded with the gear you bring, not your back. Wearing a heavy backpack can lead to imbalance thereby increasing the risk of a fall.

Required items:

• Bike in good working condition
• Helmets to be worn
• Tire repair kit (inner tube, tire levers, patch kit, pump)
• Rear red blinky light
• Food for the weekend
• Stove
• Water purification system
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Bright, highly visible clothing is highly recommended for safety

Final notes:

• The trip is limited to 8 riders, including the leaders.
• We follow Leave no Trace Principles.
• We will travel in a group at a mellow pace, no one left behind or jumping ahead.
• Registration is a two part process. Once you submit your online registration, you will be asked to complete a pre-trip questionnaire to ensure the trip is a good fit. You will not be a confirmed participant until after you have completed the screening process. Trip details will be communicated to registered participants prior to the event.

Route: The Ride with GPS file will be shared with registered participants prior to the event. It is recommended you download the RWGPS route to your bike computer and/or phone so that you may use it offline (cell reception can be weak in spots).