LeRaysville: Gritty Critters Rollerama
47.9 miles | 5,727’ | 64% unpaved
Challenge yourself on this adventurous gravel loop from LeRaysville, where quiet forests, State Game Lands, a rugged border crossing, and quirky roadside attractions await.
This long loop from LeRaysville rides through forests, farms, and a short section of State Game Lands. It even dips up into New York for a mile! Around Mile 16, the dirt road gets significantly chunkier as riders pass a Road Closed sign. Don’t let the sign scare you, but do prepare for a bumpy descent with large gravel and rutted sections. The public, yet abandoned road descends to the NY/PA border, with a max downhill grade of -16.7%. Make sure your brakes are in good shape!
The route is home to a couple of oddities that will leave you with more questions than answers. At mile 37, a short stretch of gravel is home to several stuffed animals that are perched in the branches of trees. It’s an interesting sight in daylight, but if you ride this stretch at night, it has more of a Blair Witch Project vibe. Shortly after, at mile 40, is the Orwell Home Textile Tool Museum. As of late, the museum doesn’t seem to have consistent hours, but a peek in through the windows gives a glimpse back in time, when clothes were mostly made at home. To arrange a tour, try messaging the museum on their Facebook page.
Riders looking to camp near Le Raysville can do so at the Lake Bonin Campground from May through October. The campground allows for both RV and tent camping and is complete with a camp store, laundry, restrooms, and showers. Behind the camp store is the Rollerena, an indoor roller skating rink!
