A New Kind of Ride

Leaf Pile Pedal proved that you don’t have to head deep into the wilderness to find adventure — sometimes it’s right in your own backyard. Our inaugural bikepacking event carved an adventure through a very urban corridor, blending the comfort of support with the spirit of self-sufficiency.

Riders ranged from experienced bikepackers to long-time LMB tour veterans giving bikepacking a try for the first time. It was rewarding to see new bikepackers embrace the experience and challenges with just enough support to test out their own setups and see what this growing side of cycling is all about.

The Weekend Flow

We stayed at private campgrounds along the route, which gave us opportunities we don’t normally have at schools, county parks, and some of the other areas we’ve used for our traditional tours. The format and timing of the weekend worked out well for everyone — check-in on Thursday, a full 50-ish mile ride Friday, a slightly shorter 40-ish mile ride Saturday, and then an easy 20-mile cruise back Sunday. Riders finished early enough to get home, unwind, and reset before Monday.

Community on the Route

The engagement from local bike shops and advocacy partners was fantastic. Our friends from Experience Jackson even stopped by on National Coffee Day to bring out fresh coffee on Saturday morning, which was a huge hit. A lot of behind-the-scenes work went into connecting with local businesses along the route to let them know we’d be coming through — and that outreach was met with enthusiasm and glowing feedback.

The Power of the Pack

Each day, the bikepackers worked together to go the distance and tackle each route along with the challenges that came.

“From the start, I told riders that instead of the typical LMB ride support they’re used to, we were going to work together as a group to get everyone to the finish. I’m proud to say that’s exactly what happened — we didn’t have to pick anyone up or haul anyone in. Everyone worked together to make sure the whole crew made it to camp each day.” -Neal Glazebrook, LMB Events Director

The smaller, more intimate group dynamic of LPP gave folks a real chance to connect. In just a few days, new friendships and riding partnerships formed — and that’s what LMB events are all about: getting people on bikes, enjoying each other’s company and sharing experiences, and exploring this great state together. LMB’s Events Director Neal Glazebrook shared, “I’d say we hit all those marks with Leaf Pile Pedal.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, we’ll be forming a Bikepacking Committee in 2026 for anyone who wants to help shape LMB’s future programming around bikepacking. If that sounds like you, reach out to [email protected] to get involved when outreach for that committee begins.

Finally, a huge thank-you to all of our supporters, sponsors, shops, and partners who made this event possible — we couldn’t have done it without you. Your support also filled the campfire giveaway table with awesome swag and helped make LMB’s first bikepacking weekend one to remember.

Categorised in: LMB Tours