2026 RockStar Challenge Gran Depart

RockStar VA Grand Depart is an annual biking event from Rocktown (Harrisonburg) to the Star City (Roanoke).  There are trail/gravel and paved routes.  The gravel an trail routes are limited to 75 combined participants (paved registration is unlimited). Ride Solo or as a Team!

All RockStar routes are on public land and can be travelled by anyone at any time for free! The Grand Depart is simply an idea, a fun way to get people stoked about these incredible routes. The Grand Depart inspires folks to enjoy the RockStar routes, maybe test themselves, and serves to stimulate a massive annual trail clearing effort that all trail users benefit from.

Ride with GPS Options:

Trail Route: 266 miles/38,000 ft. climbing

Gravel Route: 250 miles/ 25,000 ft. climbing

Pave Route: 166 miles/10,000 ft. climbing

Consider it for a Bikepacking Adventure or treat it as a 4-Day Stage Race where you can overnight at Braley Pond, Douthat State Park and Eagle Rock.

Stage Event Option (4-Stages)
Stages will start 7am each day and be roughly 70 miles.
Live tracking and results provided by Trackleaders.com (Goes Live March 2026)

Stage 1: Saturday Start = Black Sheep Coffee Harrisonburg, Finish at Braley Pond Dispersed Campground
Stage 2: Sunday Start = Braley Pond Dispersed Campground, Finish at Douthat State Park
Stage 3: Monday Start: = Douthat State Park, Finish at Eagle Rock
Stage 4: Tuesday Start = Eagle Rock, Finish at Texas Tavern Roanoke

Register now to secure your spot! 

All solo riders and teams have a SPOT tracking device with them and on for the duration of this event and registered with Trackleaders.com.  Registration *and* a Spot Gen3 rental for RockStar VA participants is $80 total.