(September 21, 2023) — Bikepacking Roots, the nation’s premier 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing bikepacking, proudly announces the commencement of public submissions for its esteemed Community Routes Project (CRoP). Launched in June, CRoP serves as a platform to showcase exceptional routes contributed by devoted Route Creators and Stewards for the benefit of the wider bikepacking community. These curated routes span the nation, offering a diverse range of distances and difficulty levels to cater to bikepackers of all backgrounds.
This initiative embodies our commitment to not only share these captivating routes but also foster the growth of bikepacking. CRoP’s dedicated stewards maintain and update these routes regularly, with many residing near their designated routes and actively championing bikepacking within their communities.
Following the successful release of two curated route batches over the summer, Bikepacking Roots now opens the door to public submissions. Noelle Battle, Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots, expresses enthusiasm about this development: “We are excited to connect and build relationships with additional passionate route creators who are eager to showcase the bikepacking opportunities in their region of the country,”
All route submissions will undergo a thorough review process by Bikepacking Roots. Accepted submissions will receive their own dedicated route page on Bikepacking Roots’ official website, as well as inclusion on the organization’s Interactive Map. The submission process welcomes existing routes, even those that have been stewarded for several years and featured on the route creator’s or another local/regional website. Additionally, it is open to newly developed routes specifically designed for this project, provided they meet the vetting criteria. It is essential to note that CRoP routes will not be rebranded as “Bikepacking Roots Routes”; our primary aim is to facilitate information sharing while supporting both route creators and the broader bikepacking community.
Route stewards for accepted submissions will become integral members of Bikepacking Roots’ Regional Stewards program. This program offers opportunities for learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among peer route creators nationwide. To access comprehensive details regarding submission criteria, Route Steward expectations, and a link to the Route Submission Form, please visit the CRoP section of the website. Prospective contributors are also encouraged to explore the current collection of Community Routes to gain insight into successful submissions.
