Unison Saturday Gravel 60K is a 37.3-mile route starting in Unison, with 3,563 feet of climbing. About 29.2 miles (78%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 8.1 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 6.9 miles on Unison Road, Newlin Mill Road, Snake Hill Road near Unison and Saint Louis.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This route spreads its gravel evenly across the ride: 14.1 gravel miles in the first half and 15.1 in the second. Along the way it links Saint Louis, Landmark, Dover, Aldie and Middleburg.
The course tops out at 1,085 feet around mile 22.7 and drops as low as 331 feet. Expect 9 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 500 feet over 1.8 miles starting near mile 17.4. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 15.2% near mile 21.8. At roughly 96 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it intermediate.
- 6.9 miles of continuous gravel on Unison Road, Newlin Mill Road and Snake Hill Road near Unison and Saint Louis.
- More unpaved stretches on Burrland Lane and Cobb House Road.
- 78% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Paved sections on Little River Turnpike, busier roads. Ride single file and stay alert.
- Paved connectors include Foxcroft Road, Halfway Road, Hopewell Road, Bull Run Mountain Road and Landmark School Road.
- A steep pitch of about 15.2% near mile 21.8. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- At 37.3 miles, plan your water and food before you leave Unison.
Ride notes. Start 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 0.0–6.9 (6.9 mi): Unison Road, Newlin Mill Road, Snake Hill Road — near Unison and Saint Louis
- Mile 10.6–16.8 (6.2 mi): Burrland Lane, Rock Hill Mill Road
- Mile 17.4–20.2 (2.8 mi): Bust Head Road
- Mile 22.0–26.1 (4.1 mi): Bull Run Mountain Road — near Landmark
- Mile 26.5–30.2 (3.7 mi): Bull Run Mountain Road, Champe Ford Road — near Landmark and Dover
- Mile 30.6–36.1 (5.5 mi): Cobb House Road, Carters Farm Lane, Parsons Road — near Dover
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.
