Unison – Shelburne Glebe and Airmont 48K is a 29.7-mile loop starting in Unison, with 2,433 feet of climbing. About 24.6 miles (83%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 5.1 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 6.1 miles on Unison Road, Newlin Mill Road, Snake Hill Road and Pot House Road near St. Louis.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop spreads its gravel evenly across the ride: 12.4 gravel miles in the first half and 12.2 in the second. Along the way it links St. Louis, Philomont, Silcott Spring and Airmont.
The course tops out at 623 feet and drops as low as 314 feet. Expect 8 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 274 feet over 3.2 miles starting near mile 19.7. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 7.4% near mile 28.5. At roughly 82 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it intermediate.
- 6.1 miles of continuous gravel on Unison Road, Newlin Mill Road, Snake Hill Road and Pot House Road near St. Louis.
- More unpaved stretches on North Fork Road, Shelburne Glebe Road and Forest Mills Road.
- 83% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Passes the Virginia historical marker for the Battle of Unison.
- Paved sections on Snickersville Turnpike, busier roads. Ride single file and stay alert.
- Paved connectors include Pot House Road, Mountville Road, Leith Lane and Hibbs Bridge Road.
- A steep pitch of about 7.4% near mile 28.5. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- At 29.7 miles, plan your water and food before you leave Unison.
Ride notes. Start and finish in Unison. These are working farm roads shared with horses, tractors and local traffic: slow down and pass wide around horses, and see VeloSafe for more. Gravel changes with the weather, so expect loose stone after a fresh grading and soft spots after heavy rain. Spring and fall are our favorite seasons out here.
Elevation and surface
Gravel sections
Unpaved stretches of half a mile or more, in riding order:
- Mile 0.0–6.1 (6.1 mi): Unison Road, Newlin Mill Road, Snake Hill Road, Pot House Road — near St. Louis
- Mile 6.8–9.2 (2.4 mi): Leith Lane, Hibbs Bridge Road
- Mile 9.6–11.6 (1.9 mi): Philomont Road, Greggsville Road — near Philomont
- Mile 12.8–18.6 (5.9 mi): North Fork Road, Shelburne Glebe Road, Forest Mills Road, Ward Hill Road, Hughesville Road
- Mile 20.1–21.7 (1.7 mi): Shoemaker School Road
- Mile 22.2–24.3 (2.2 mi): Silcott Springs Road, Otley Road, Black Oak Road — near Silcott Spring
- Mile 25.2–29.7 (4.5 mi): Airmont Road, Woodtrail Road, Unison Road — near Airmont
Photos from the route
Photos taken along this route on our rides.
Get the route
Surface data comes from Strava. Road names come from OpenStreetMap. Gravel roads change with weather and maintenance, so check conditions before you ride and follow our VeloSafe guidance on rural roads.
