A new guidebook launching on Thursday highlights Centre County’s wealth of gravel cycling trails and sustainable outdoor recreation in the region.
The Happy Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide is the first Pennsylvania edition in a national series of pocket-size gravel cycling travel guidebooks with curated routes, including QR codes that link to digital GPS live navigation. It also features art and short stories and highlights bike-friendly businesses.
To celebrate the release, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Happy Valley Women’s Cycling and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council will hold a launch party from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Boal City Brewing, 281 Old Boalsburg Road, where free copies of the guide will be available.
The event also will include the premiere screening of a promotional Happy Valley gravel cycling short film, as well as limited-edition merchandise giveaways while supplies last.
For those who can’t make it to the launch party, free copies of the Happy Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide will be available during regular business hours at the HVAB office, 204 W. Beaver Ave. in State College.
Featuring routes starting at 14 miles in length, the guidebook can help build a trip itinerary around day rides or longer overnight trips, including a 250-mile Grand Happy Valley Bikepacking Loop.
“Even when you’re on a gravel road deep in the forest, you’re never too far away from the amenities of a Centre County community,” HVAB wrote in a news release. “Whether riding through Bald Eagle, Sproul, Rothrock or Moshannon State Forest, we hope this guidebook is enjoyed by new and seasoned riders for years to come.”
The guidebook is a collaborative effort by Happy Valley Women’s Cycling, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Gravel Adventure Field Guide and many local cycling and outdoor recreation partners.
“Building on our region’s well-established mountain biking appeal and complementing efforts like the new Rothrock Trail Alliance multi-use trails and PEC’s well-loved annual Public Lands Ride, this gravel guide will offer riders a beautiful resource to inspire and accompany them through miles of adventure,” said Claire Peters of Happy Valley Women’s Cycling.
Founded in 2022, Gravel Adventure Field Guide is led by Colorado-based Juan DelaRoca and Stephen Beneski, who combined their experience in advertising and sports marketing and their love for bicycles to create the series. They have worked with state and regional travel organizations across the U.S. to expand the knowledge and reach of sustainable gravel cycling tourism.
“At two years in the making, this guidebook reflects the HVAB’s commitment to the economic value of cycling tourism on the regional economy,” DelaRoca said. “Gravel cycling tourism continues to grow, and there is a hunger for information on great places to ride. Happy Valley joins this conversation with this gravel guidebook.”
