DK Gravel Fest 2026 (DKGF)
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
DKGF is a celebration of our adventure-gravel & off-road cycling community!
Dirty Kitten Gravel Fest/DKGF (formerly DKGR) is our newly designed, community-centered, festival-style, off-road adventure, bike party weekend at Locust Hill Farm & Preserve (LHFP) in Rapidan, VA - the same location where we hosted DKGR.
DKGF 2026 will be the 8th year we have hosted an event at the farm; however, this year will NOT feature a mass start gravel race as we've done in the past. Instead, we want to celebrate and showcase our grassroots, adventure-gravel and off-road cycling community by throwing a festival-style bike party weekend: rides, activities, clinics, demos, food, beverages, music/entertainment, partner expo, community hangs, and a damn good time!
More info can be found in the Event Notes on BikeReg.
NOTE: There are off-site camping options available for both Friday & Saturday (at an additional cost). Sorry, there is NO participant camping available on-site at LHFP. Additional information can be found in the Event Notes on our registration page.
Planned Events & Activities (subject to change):
Gear Swap - Sat & Sun
Vendor Expo - Sat & Sun
Food & Drinks - Sat & Sun
Music/Entertainment - Sat & Sun
Bike Rodeo Games - Sat & Sun
Adventure Purrito Rides - Sat & Sun
Zoomies Gravel Circuit Challenge - Sat (only)
Kitten Crusher Hill Climb Challenge - Sun (only)
DK Gravel TT Challenge - Sun (only)
Obstacle Course Challenge - Sat & Sun
Off-Road Skills Sessions (mtb/gravel/cx) - Sat & Sun
Bikepacking Demo & Workshop w/ Tia Moore - Sat & Sun
Mini Coaching Sessions w/ Coach Jill Patterson - Sat & Sun
Bike Maintenance Sessions (TBA) - Sat & Sun
Sports Psychology Sessions - TBA
Sports Physical Therapy Sessions - TBA
Sports Massage Therapy Sessions - TBA
Bike Demos by Blue Ridge Cyclery - Sat/Sun
Subaru Display by Reynolds Subaru of Orange
And More TBA!
*NEW: Zoomies! Presented by Reynolds Subaru of Orange. On Saturday morning, we will host a short-track, circuit challenge ride on part of the classic DKGR course. Think: gravel crit! Riders will be challenged to complete as many circuits as they can or want within a specific time block either solo or as a relay team. It may be timed, but there will be no awards or podiums (we may have some random prizes). This is NOT an “official” race; it's a fun challenge. Get ready to Zoom! More info on BikeReg.
DK Gravel Fest Weekend Schedule (TENTATIVE): Updated 7/17/26
Subject to change depending on weather, course conditions, and other safety precautions*
Saturday, July 25th (8am-5pm)
6:30am - Property opens for parking: 8070 N. James Madison Hwy, Rapidan, VA
7:00am - 9:00am Check-in at the cabin (coffee & refreshments)
8:00am - 12:00pm Morning Challenges, Rides, and Skills Sessions
Challenge: ZOOMIES!* (adventure-gravel circuit) p/b Reynolds Subaru
Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various options 20-50+ miles)
Skills Sessions/Clinics: Off-Road Skills Sessions & Rides (mtb/gravel/cx)
12:00 - 2:00pm Picnic Lunch, Talks & Workshops, Gear Swap, Expo, Demos, Music
Music: Joe Reiman
Talks & Workshops: Riding, Training & Racing Q&A (w/ Coach Jill Patterson); Getting Your Mind in Gear (w/ Pat Spencer, LCSW); Bikepacking Adventures (w/ Tia Moore, Melanin Base Miles); Off-Road Bike Maintenance (TBA)
2:00pm - 4:00pm Afternoon Rides, Skills Sessions, and Activities
Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various options 20-50+ miles)
Skills Sessions/Clinics: Off-Road Skills Sessions & Rides (mtb/gravel/cx)
Activities: Bike Rodeo, Relay Games, Obstacle Course (DK GravelCX), more TBA
4:00pm Community Hang & Beverages
5:00pm Downtown Culpeper Events (optional) - TBA
Sunday, July 26th (8am-4pm)
6:30am - Property opens for parking: 8070 N. James Madison Hwy, Rapidan, VA
7:00am - 9:00am Check-in at the cabin (coffee & refreshments)
8:00am - 11:00am Morning Challenges, Rides, and Skills Sessions
Challenge: Kitten Crusher Hill Climb & DK Gravel TT p/b Reynolds Subaru
Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various options 20-50+ miles)
Skills Sessions/Clinics: Off-Road Skills Sessions & Rides (mtb/gravel/cx)
11:00 - 1:00pm Picnic Lunch, Talks & Workshops, Gear Swap, Expo, Demos, Music
Music: Joe Reiman
Talks & Workshops: Riding, Training & Racing Q&A (w/ Coach Jill Patterson); Getting Your Mind in Gear (w/ Pat Spencer, LCSW); Bikepacking Adventures (w/ Tia Moore, Melanin Base Miles); Off-Road Bike Maintenance (w/ Kasey Clark, VeloPigs)
1:00pm - 3:00pm Afternoon Rides, Skills Sessions, and Activities
Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various options 20-50+ miles)
Skills Sessions/Clinics: Off-Road Skills Sessions & Rides (mtb/gravel/cx)
Activities: Bike Rodeo, Relay Games, Obstacle Course (DK GravelCX), more TBA
3:00pm Community Hang & Beverages
4:00pm Farewell - Safe travels!
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