From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find gravel events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Join us for the second annual Woodly's Great Gravel Adventure on Saturday, September 19, 2026!
About the Race
Woodly's Great Gravel Adventure is presented by the Mountain State Forest Festival, one of the largest and oldest festivals in West Virginia. This year's 88th annual event will be held September 26 - October 4. The MSFF is a real cultural landmark that showcases WV in all its autumn glory. Due to the changing fall leaves and the Mountain State Forest Festival, autumn is a great time to visit the Elkins area with family and friends. Visit Mountain State Forest Festival | Elkins, WV to see all that the MSFF has in entertainment, food, and events while in town for the ride!
The race will traverse through the beautiful Cheat-Potomac District of the Monongahela National Forest. Race headquarters will be stationed in Stuart Recreation Area nestled along the banks of the Shavers Fork River. Stuart Recreation Area is 7 miles east of Elkins and was built in 1937 by CCC labor. Known to locals as Stuart's Park, the area provides great hiking trails and excellent fishing.
Woodly's Great Gravel Adventure is part of the WV Gravel series. Please visit WVGS website www.wvgravelseries.com for rules and regulations.
The majority of the race will be on gravel roads with some rail trail and paved roads mixed in.
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Aid Stations
2 aid stations will be along the course. The short course will pass only one aid station. The medium and long course will go by two. We recommend bringing appropriate fuel and drinks. Please monitor the weather and dress accordingly. Elkins weather can range from hot to snow in the autumn season.
Package Pick-Up
Package pick-up will begin Saturday, September 19 at 8:00 AM at Stuart Recreation Area in the small pavilion. (we were in the large pavilion last year, the small pavilion is a little past the large in Stuarts Recreation Area).
The Start
All riders will begin at the Small Pavilion in Stuart Recreation Area and head out of the park to Forest Road 91 and turn left on Shaver Fork Road. All riders will continue approximately 16 miles to the first aid station. Long, medium, short and e bike riders will start at staggered times. Long course rides will begin at the start finish line beside the small pavilion at 9:00 AM, Medium course will begin at 10:00 AM and Short course and e bikes at 10:30AM.
Short Course
Once leaving Stuarts Recreation Area the short Course will continue along Shavers fork road which runs beside the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River until reaching the the first aid station, approximately 16 miles. At this point you will turn and go back to Stuart Recreation Area and the finish line following the Shavers Fork road for a total of 33 miles. Tentative course is posted here. Click here for: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53598614?privacy_code=9FmkGxzNAnA49KPVGykAeBXJexGSZzAp
Medium Course
The Medium Course will follow the short course until the first aide station. At this intersection a sharp right turn will be made onto Forest Road 828 to enter the Fernow Experimental Forest. At the intersection with Forest Road 709 a right turn will be made. Then a slight right will be made onto Forest Road 701. We will continue to 701 through the Fernow Forest until intersecting with Brooklyn Heights Road just East of the town of Parsons. At this intersection a left turn will be make onto a paved road. Brooklyn Heights Road will become Billings Avenue. We will continue on Billings Avenue into the town of Parsons. Billings Ave will become Railroad Ave and after a few blocks will intersect with River street. A sharp right and then left will be made to put us on the Allegheny Highlands Rail Trail. The Rail trail will take us through the Town of Parsons and then continue on the trail until intersecting Shavers Fork Road. Take a left onto Shavers Fork Road. Continue on Shavers
Fork Road and it will become Clifton-Nail Run Road. We will continue along Clifton-Nail run road until coming to the Second aid station. At this point a left turn will be made to cross the river and intersect with Shavers Fork road. Turn right onto Shavers Fork Road and continue to the finish line in Stuarts Park Recreation Area for a total of 48 miles. The Course is posted here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53599343?privacy_code=JCHJNuC8ct14apg3jiZSMLhraOVlulDk
Long Course
The Long Course will follow the short course and medium course into the Fernow Forest. After traveling on forest road 701 for a short ways a right turn will be made onto forest road 324 towards McGowen Mountain. We will travel about 7 miles to the Yellow Creek trail head and turn around to return to to Forest Road 701. We will turn right off of 324 back onto 701 and continue on the Medium course route as seen above until reaching the second aide station. At the second aid station the Long Course will turn right and continue on Clifton-Nail Run Road until turning left on Log Lick Run road (also known as Timbucktoo Road). Log Lick Run will intersect with Stalnaker Run Road. A left turn will be made onto Stalnaker road. Continue on Stalnaker Run Road until coming to the “graffiti bridge.” After crossing the bridge continue until taking a right onto Shavers Fork Road and continue to Stuarts Park Recreation area and the finish line for a total of 75 miles. The Long Course is posted
here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53551094
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E-Bike Route.
The E-bike route will begin at the Stuarts recreation area and head out of the park on Forest Road 91. As soon we leave the park we will turn left onto Shaver Fork Road. We will continue on the Shavers Fork road until reaching the aid station at the Clifton Nail Road intersection. At this point the e bike route will follow the medium course loop back to the Stuarts recreation area for a total 25 miles. Click here for: E-Bike Route Map
All riders will receive a meal and t-shirt with registration and a ticket to the Forest Festival Kickoff Party and Chili Cook-Of (scheduled from 4-8pm September 26th in Elkins). Additional meals and t-shirts can be purchased.
Prizes
First, second, and third finishers for male and female open riders for the long course will receive a cash prize. All winners from each category will have prize table selection.
Lodging and Camping
Stuart Recreation Area has individual camping sites that must be reserved for tents and campers. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov Stuart Recreation Area, Monongahela National Forest - Recreation.gov
A group campsite that accommodates 40 people tent camping is also available. This site is available first come, first serve Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 for $5.00 and can be paid for day of event.
Bear Heaven Recreation Area, known by locals as Bear Haven, is a few miles away from Stuart Recreation Area, and has campsites available first come, first serve for $5.00
Monongahela National Forest | Bear Heaven Campground | Forest Service
Other local lodging can be found by visiting Elkins-Randolph County Tourism.
Sleep - Elkins-Randolph County Tourism
Visit our website to see the full Mountain State Forest Festival Schedule of Events.
Events | Elkins, WV | Mountain State Forest Festival
Thank you to our sponsors!
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USA Swimming Club. 11 members.