DK Gravel Fest 2026 (DKGF)

1 day ago
3 min read

DKGF is a celebration of our adventure-gravel & off-road 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 w/ Kristy Roz - Sat & Sun
Sports Psychology Sessions - TBA
Sports Physical Therapy Sessions - TBA
Sports Massage Therapy Sessions - TBA
Bike Demos by Blue Ridge Cyclery - Sat/Sun
And More TBA!

*NEW: Zoomies! 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):

Subject to change depending on weather and other safety precautions*

Saturday, July 25th (8am-4pm)
- 6:30am - Property opens for parking
- 7:00am - 8:00am Check-in at the cabin (coffee & refreshments)
- 8:00am - 12:00pm Morning Challenges, Rides, and Sessions
  - Challenge: Zoomies! (short-track, gravel circuit)*
  - Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various distances)
  - Skills Sessions/Clinics/Workshops: Off-Road Skills (mtb/gravel/cx), Bike Maintenance, Bikepacking, Training & Racing, more TBA
- 12:00 - 2:00pm Picnic Lunch, Talks, Hang, Expo, Music/Entertainment
- 2:00pm - 4:00pm Afternoon Rides, Sessions, and Activities
  - Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various distances)
  - Skills Sessions/Clinics/Workshops: Off-Road Skills (mtb/gravel/cx), Bike Maintenance, Bikepacking, Training & Racing, more TBA
  - Activities: Bike Rodeo, Relay Games, Obstacle Course, 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
- 7:00am - 8:00am Check-in at the cabin (coffee & refreshments)
- 8:00am - 11:00am Morning Challenges, Rides, and Sessions
  - Challenges: Kitten Crusher Hill Climb, DK Gravel TT, DK GravelCX, more TBA
  - Rides: MTB w/ CAMBO or Adventure Gravel w/ DK Friends
  - Skills Sessions/Clinics/Workshops: Off-Road Skills (mtb/gravel/cx), Bike Maintenance, Bikepacking, Training & Racing, more TBA
- 11:00 - 1:00pm Lunch, Talks, Hang, Expo, Music/Entertainment
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm Afternoon Rides, Sessions, Activities
  - Rides: Adventure Gravel & Mixed-Surface (various distances)
  - Skills Sessions/Clinics/Workshops: Off-Road Skills (mtb/gravel/cx), Bike Maintenance, Bikepacking, Training & Racing, more TBA
  - Activities: Bike Rodeo, Relay Games, Obstacle Course, more TBA
- 3:00pm Community Hang & Beverages
- 4:00pm Farewell - Safe travels!