Ramble camps can be a bit like summer camps for adults; ride your bike all day, and hang out with friends well into the evening. There’ll be no distractions as cell coverage is spotty at best, so it’s four days of disconnecting and being in the moment. Most rides will move camps once, staying in the prime spots for two nights, riding challenging loops on the days between. Many camps have bodies of water, so bring a suit for swimming in the warmer months.

Look at the individual ride pages to know if the camps are USFS campgrounds or private facilities. USFS camps don’t have showers.

On the Ramble Ride, what’s included are most of the things you’ll need. From the morning of departure to returning to your vehicle, we take care of much of what a rider would need. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and plenty of snacks. Our goal: you focus on the ride; we’ll take care of you at camp. It’s four incredible days of riding with friends. And if you come alone, you’ll have plenty of new friends by the time the ride is over.

Camping staff will ensure you get the most out of your experience, get your camp bag from camp to camp on travel days, help you keep your bike in order, and route support to ensure you’re ready to go.

What should you pack?

Check out this post to see what we suggest packing. Warm clothing is a must, even in summer. Rain gear, too, as we’ve experienced at least one ride every year with afternoon or overnight rain storms. Our luggage size limit is 80 liters, but don’t worry, that’s a large size enough for more than you’ll need. We call this your “camp bag.”

Bikepack or not?

Ramble Rides started with everyone bikepacking to camp, carrying everything needed. Over the years, we’ve evolved, knowing that the right gear is expensive, primarily if not often used. Bikepacking means longer days on the road too. Most riders now carry one or two larger bags with extra clothing, cameras, and food, leaving the larger and heavier camping gear in the camp bag. But if you want to bikepack the event, go for it. It’s a great venue to test equipment or take on the extra challenge in a supported environment. Many riders have used the Ramble to prep for more extensive trips like the Tour Divide or multi-week rides.

Rambles in the past have been transformational for folks and might be one of the best rides you’ll do all year. A Ramble is an event that you’ll long remember. Do you know the saying that it’s about the journey, not the destination? Well, the Ramble is about both.

 

 

A typical Ramble schedule:

  • A rider meeting is held the evening before departure. The start time is 6:30 pm, and they are brief. Part mixer, part meeting, we’ll catch you up on any announcements and introductions and answer any last-minute questions. Lodging this night is up to the participant, though we do work to have camping. It’s an excellent time to get to know your fellow rider or go out in one of the depart locations. Just don’t stay out too late.
  • First days have a set departure time. Breakfast starts at 7 am, and riders are on the road by 8. We reserve the right to adjust this departure time and will announce any change at the rider meeting. Routes are marked, and we supply GPS files well before the event.
  • Depart times on the following days are up to you (kind of). Breakfast starts at 7 am. If you want to start earlier, let us know, and we’ll get you fed. You need to be on the road no later than 9 am, earlier if you plan to stop more or ride slowly. We find this process helps manage arrival times, mingles the group better, and keeps everyone in a safe corridor when on the route.
  • The ride is sagged. You’ll ride more than you think, but never more than you can. On route, we have multiple vehicles and one van, which brings up the rear, pulling signage and any water stations. The number of support vehicles differs depending on participant size, but minimally two vehicles and a motorcycle. We don’t want you to get in the van, but it’s there if you need it.
  • Dinner is at 6 pm.
  • On loop days, we try to start and keep the group together. Sometimes staff gets a ride in too. We attempt to keep the group together as long as possible. Doing so isn’t always possible, but it adds camaraderie.
  • A final dinner has a little more fanfare on the last night of camping. You’ve just completed an incredible achievement– time to celebrate. Each Ramble finale is a little different, but they’re a great way to close our time together.