50th Anniversary Drop-In Rides
A Celebration by Bike
There’s no better way to honor 50 years of adventure than by packing up, going offline, and setting out at the pace of a pedal stroke.
Drop-in Rides were a key component of how people experienced Bikecentennial five decades ago, and we’re excited to be able to facilitate that same opportunity in 2026.
Our three Drop-in Rides are a way to join the party at your own pace and on your timeline. During the 2026 riding season, we want thousands of cyclists to ride one of three iconic Adventure Cycling bike routes — whether that’s for the entire route or a section of your choice. You can ride it solo, with your best buds, or with another drop-in rider you find through Adventure Cycling.
While it’s our birthday, it’s your celebration, and we’re here to help you ride it.
The Routes
How It Works
1.
Pick one of three iconic routes.
2.
Register your ride online for free and get info on the routes, how to form groups, packing lists, and more.
3.
Optional – Find a riding companion or group through Companions Wanted.
4.
Optional – Sign up for GPS tracking of your ride via Follow My Challenge (for the first 50 groups).
5.
Ride!
Including optional meetups and events along the route.
Follow the Ride: Dot-Watching
Can’t join a Drop-in Ride in person? You can still follow along from anywhere in the world.
Fifty of our Drop-in Riders, including ambassadors Ryan Van Duzer and Trip Longer, are carrying a GPS tracker throughout the 2026 season, and their location updates in real time on our dot-watching map. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a live map, a moving dot, and the quiet thrill of knowing there’s a real person out there riding the route, taking in the scenery, living the adventure.
Refresh in the morning to see how far they’ve come. Check in at lunch. Stay up a little too late watching a dot cross a mountain pass. It’s surprisingly hard to stop.
How to Ride with Ryan Van Duzer on the Great Divide
Outdoor adventurer and filmmaker Ryan Van Duzer is riding a Drop-in Ride on the Great Divide, starting in Jasper, Canada on the summer solstice. Ryan and Priority Bikes invite you to apply to join Ryan and the Priority Bikes team on section 5, between Salida, CO and Grants, NM. Spots are limited and the itinerary is aggressive! Priority is providing transportation from Denver to Salida and back to Denver but this is a self-supported ride. Applications due April 5!
How to Find a Companion or Form a Drop-in Ride Group
Going alone isn’t for everyone! Check out the special 50th anniversary section of Companions Wanted to connect with other cyclists planning a Drop-in Ride.
Only Adventure Cycling members can post on Companions Wanted (become a member for just $2.50 a month to post) but anyone can respond to a cyclist seeking a companion or forming a group.
Thank You to Our Drop-in Ride Sponsors
These awesome companies donated giveaways, gear, and goodies to our Drop-in Riders. We couldn’t do it without them!
Frequently Asked Questions
About Drop-in Rides
A Drop-in Ride is a self-supported, flexible way to experience Adventure Cycling’s long-distance routes. Ride as little or as much as you’d like; jump in for a day, a weekend, or more. There’s no set start or finish, just your adventure on your terms.
Nope! That’s the beauty of Drop-in Rides. Pick any section, distance, or timeframe that works for you.
No. All Drop-in Rides are self-supported. Riders are responsible for their own food, water, navigation, safety, and accommodations.
Drop-in Rides are part of Adventure Cycling’s 50th Anniversary. Just as Bikecentennial ’76 sparked a movement 50 years ago, these rides celebrate where we started, what we’ve accomplished, and where we’re going, inviting riders everywhere to share in the adventure.
The Drop-in Ride season runs as long as the 2026 riding season. The peak riding season for these routes is May through September 2026. We suggest you start your ride any time during the season, on any section of the route, but you’re welcome to complete your Drop-in Ride anytime in 2026.
Yes! Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome. Choose a section and pace that works for you.
No, anyone can participate. All registrants will be entered into the Drop-in Rides giveaways and receive route-specific informational emails and guidance. But members enjoy great benefits, like posting on Companions Wanted and access to gear deals like ExpertVoice, and your support helps us keep creating routes and programs like this. Memberships start at $25 a year or $2.50 a month. We hope you’ll support us by becoming a member.
Registration is free – yay!
You can still be part of the celebration! Follow along on the live tracking map, join the excitement as a dot-watcher, donate to support our mission, or purchase the route and ride it later.
Registration & Groups
Registration is free but required. Sign up to let us know you’re participating, and we’ll stay connected with updates, route resources, special perks, giveaways, and how-to articles.
If you are an Adventure Cycling member, please register using the same email address associated with your membership account. This helps us avoid sending you duplicate emails.
Either works! You can register as an individual or as part of a group. The first 50 registered groups will have the option to appear on our live GPS tracking map.
If you decide to form a group after you have already registered, no problem. Simply contact us with your group name and the names of the riders you want included, and we will update your registration.
When registering, each rider should sign up individually and enter the same group name. This ensures your group is linked together in the system.
If your group is one of the first 50 to register, you will also have the option to appear on our live GPS tracking map.
If you need to add riders later, just have them register under your existing group name. If anything needs to be updated, contact us and we will make sure your group information is correct.
Yes! Each rider still needs to register individually, but you can add new members to your group after registration. The easiest way is to have them register under your existing group name. If you need help linking riders or updating a group after everyone has registered, just contact us at ride50@adventurecycling.org and we will make sure your group is set up correctly.
Yes! If you need to make changes to your registration, you can log back into the registration platform to update your information. We understand plans can change, whether you want to shift dates to ride with an ambassador or for another reason. If you need additional help or want to make a change that the system does not allow, just reach out to us and we will be happy to assist.
Riding with Ambassadors
For 2026, our ambassador is:
Ryan Van Duzer on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – bio
Ryan is a born-and-bred mountain boy from the foothills of the Rockies who has always loved playing in the dirt and exploring the outdoors. Now based in Boulder, Colorado, his passion is getting people motivated to challenge themselves, all while making this world a kinder place, which he shares through his YouTube channel. Ryan’s adventures—from bikepacking and endurance running to spontaneous journeys—are fueled by his “ridiculous optimism”.
Ryan says, “My bicycle is a freedom machine, it’s my favorite way to explore this beautiful planet. Biking obviously takes me places physically, but it also takes me places emotionally. Adventure is anywhere there is an open sky and an open mind.”
You can follow the journey in real time through our live GPS tracking map. Watching the “dot” is your window into where the riders are on the route and an open invitation to join the fun.
There are many ways to connect:
- Ride alongside: Hop on for a few miles or a couple of days, matching your own pace and schedule.
- Ambassadors are NOT ride leaders or guides. You must be fully self-sufficient.
- Cheer them on: Track their progress and meet riders at key points along the route to clap, wave, and encourage them.
- Bring the celebration: Show up with snacks, water, or even a meal to share the spirit of the ride.
- Join the community energy: Meet riders at gathering spots, swap stories, and take part in the festivities.
Participating alongside the ambassador is about being part of the movement. He brings inspiration, enthusiasm, and community spirit to the 50th Anniversary, making these rides something everyone can share in.
Yes! Riders are welcome to meet up or ride a small section with Ryan Van Duzer on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Just keep in mind that Ryan is not guiding a group or any individual, and he will be riding his own pace. You must be fully self-sufficient. Ryan will start his Great Divide ride around the Summer Solstice, June 21 or 22, 2026.
Route Details & Navigation
Visit our route overview pages to see descriptions, maps, and details to help you choose the ride that fits your goals. Discover the details of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, TransAmerica Trail, or the Golden Gravel Trail.
It depends on the route.
The Golden Gravel Trail (GGT) is free and available as a digital download only. We’re offering this new route free to riders as part of Adventure Cycling’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
Download the route here:
Golden Gravel Trail Archives – Adventure Cycling Association
The TransAmerica Trail and Great Divide Mountain Bike Route are not free. Maps for these routes are available for purchase through Adventure Cycling in both digital and paper formats.
You can find those here:
TransAmerica Trail Archives – Adventure Cycling Association and Great Divide Mountain Bike Route Archives – Adventure Cycling Association.
Map sales help support the ongoing research, updates, and service information that keep these routes accurate and safe for riders.
Adventure Cycling offers both paper maps and digital maps for purchase directly through our website:
- TransAmerica Trail
- Paper & Digital: TransAmerica Trail Maps
- Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
- Paper & Digital: Great Divide Maps
These maps include turn-by-turn directions, service listings, and detailed navigation notes. Once downloaded, digital maps can be used offline on your GPS device or phone.
- Golden Gravel Trail
- This brand-new 50th Anniversary route is free to download.
- Why free? The TransAm and GDMBR are legacy routes with decades of service data that require ongoing updates supported by map sales. The Golden Gravel Trail is being offered free as a gift to the cycling community in celebration of ACA’s 50th Anniversary.
For more information about digital maps, visit our Digital Routes FAQ page
The best bike depends on the route you plan to ride. Review the detailed route information on riding conditions, terrain, and logistics to help determine what setup is right for you.
- Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR): Expect mostly dirt and gravel roads with stretches of rugged terrain. You’ve got options: a robust touring bike with panniers, a sturdy mountain bike with racks, or a dedicated bikepacking setup. The key is a durable, comfortable bike with wide tires and stable handling for long days on rough terrain. For more details, see the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route guide and Choosing a Bike for the Great Divide.
- TransAm: A touring bike, road bike, or other setup designed for long-distance pavement riding works best.
- Golden Gravel: Similar to the Great Divide, this route features gravel and dirt surfaces. A gravel or bikepacking setup will be the most versatile choice. 50th Anniversary Epic Route: Golden Gravel Trail – Adventure Cycling Association
Community & Companions
Check out our Companions Wanted listings to connect with others planning to ride. Adventure Cycling members have access to posting on Companions Wanted (become a member at just $2.50 a month to post) but anyone can respond to a post seeking a companion or forming a group. Drop-in Rides have a special section on Companions Wanted in celebration of our 50th anniversary.
We’ve partnered with Follow My Challenge to offer live GPS tracking. The first 50 registered groups will have the option to appear on the live map on our website during the riding season. Once your ride begins, the dot-watching fun starts!