Professional cyclist Cynthia Carson recently visited the Endless Mountains to explore the area’s gravel cycling opportunities. She was accompanied by chef and cyclist Steven Davis, photographer/videographer Sebastian Samek, and route consultant David Landis.
Carson specializes in long-distance events and has competed in races around the globe. Notable wins include the 2024 Atlas Mountains Race in Morocco and the 2023 Badlands in Spain, among many others. Originally from Virginia, she currently lives and trains in Girona, Spain.
From May 11-16, Carson and the team explored parts of the Endless Mountains Gravel Bikepacking Loop, a 430-mile route through Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties. The Endless Mountains Heritage Region, in partnership with other regional agencies, has managed the loop since 2021.
The trip started and ended in Towanda. Along the way, the cyclists had the chance to view historic sites like the Tunkhannock Creek Viaduct, Martin’s Creek Viaduct, and Dennis Farm. Stops at Mount Pisgah State Park, Worlds End State Park, and the Loyalsock State Forest offered plenty of sightseeing. They also enjoyed touring local farms, including Greener Pastures in Troy and Brown Hill Farms in Tunkhannock.
The group created social media content while they were here. Later this summer, they will release a short film on YouTube about the trip, as well as a five-day and seven-day itinerary for riders who would like to explore the area themselves.
The Pennsylvania Tourism Office and Department of Community and Economic Development funded the project through a Great American Getaway Grant. The grant helps tourism agencies bring influencers to their area, build a cohesive getaway experience, and encourage overnight stays. The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau (EMVB) applied for the grant and was awarded $74,809. EMVB coordinated the trip with support from Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, and Susquehanna County Promotion & Tourism Agency.
To learn more about local gravel cycling, follow @endlessgravel_pa on Instagram or Endless Mountains Gravel Bikepacking on Facebook. A map of the route is available on Ride with GPS.