Top 12 Photos from unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley - 2020 COVID Edition
Words by Dave Q. Pryor
Photos by Firespire Photography
On October 11, 2020, in the rolling country farmlands and hilly forests of central Pennsylvania, unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley, one of America's most influential gravel races, had a successful third edition despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Working within Pennsylvania’s guidelines for outdoor events, the event was capped at 200 riders taking on the 120-mile course (with 10,000’ of climbing). The format of the event also changed to segment-timing, so only 30 miles were officially raced. But everyone who rode that day was rewarded with a peak foliage day in the woods, and earned their whoopie pie for finishing. Please enjoy this selection of professional photographs from the 2020 unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley.
Morning was glorious at the end of the first timed segment, the top of Jones Mountain.
Riders were happy to ride through one of the hills, instead of over.
Ben Wright not only had the fastest time over the 4 segments (and is the 2020 unPAved Men’s Champion), he also rode the rest of the Full 120-mile course hard and was the first to finish.
The women who ended up on the podium spent the day riding together: Racing the segments and then regrouping between them, and even finishing the ride together. (L to R) Vicki Barclay (3rd place), Kelly Catale (Champion), Hayley Wickstrom (2nd place)
“You've got a Fiend in Pennsylvania”
CAUTION: Mark Yanagisawa will brake for squirrels!
Every bike has always been a “gravel bike.”
The unPAved course rewards riders after the climbs with some of the best gravel road descents anywhere.
It was hard not to get “To Grandmother’s House we Go” in your head on this ride.
“Hey, is that the finish down there?” Yes, it is.
By the time riders got to the top of the 7th climb of the day, some of the leaves had changed colors again.
Riders kept socially distanced as much as possible.
A special thanks to all of the volunteers and staff for the work they put in, and to all of the participants for doing their part to keep everybody safe. Next year’s unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley is scheduled for October 10, 2021 and registration is scheduled to open on April 10.
Learn more at unpavedpennsylvania.com