Tour de Dirt readies for 20th year of cycling fun and fellowship
The 2026 Tour de Dirt will be held at the Floyd/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (2697 Franklin Pike SE, formerly Chantilly Farm) on Saturday, Oct. 24. Rides start at 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.
Long before “gravel biking” became the fastest-growing segment in cycling, Floyd County was already hosting one of the nation’s oldest gravel events. This year, the Tour de Dirt marks its 20th annual ride, a grassroots gathering that started in 2007 with a potluck, two 40-mile loops, and a handful of friends training for an epic mountain bike race.
Founder Paul Sullivan never set out to launch a movement. “Back then, there was just road biking and mountain biking,” Sullivan said. “The Tour de Dirt was a gravel bike event before “gravel” existed as a category.”
The original route was an 80-mile, mostly gravel loop that began at Sullivan’s house. It was a Team Moonstomper event that doubled as a bike party and training ride for the Shenandoah Mountain 100 in Stokesville. Riders would complete 40 miles, stop for lunch, ride another 40, and finish with a potluck dinner.
Word spread. By 2008, Sullivan’s 40th birthday, nearly 30 riders showed up. Some tackled the “Lite” route with just one 40-mile loop. Others, including Sullivan, opted for the “Full Pull” and rode both.
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As attendance climbed past 100 riders around 2016, Sullivan partnered with Pat Sharkey, former Floyd Tourism director, to promote the event. Still free for riders, the Tour de Dirt ran on donations to cover costs. The shift to charity came in 2019 when Plenty! Farm and Food Bank approached Sullivan about using the ride as a fundraiser.
“I thought you could take on Tour de Dirt and charge an entry fee to raise money for Plenty,” Sullivan said.
Today, Tour de Dirt is fully supported, with all proceeds benefiting Plenty!
Sullivan credits Floyd County’s landscape for the ride’s staying power. “I think in large part the reason Tour de Dirt has grown over the years is the amount of gravel roads we have in Floyd County. Our routes are typically 65% gravel, with plenty of elevation change, averaging about 1,000 feet of vertical gain for every 10 miles ridden.”
The scenery doesn’t hurt either, he said. “All these big hills also come with big views, which is one reason people come back every year. We try to stick to the least-traveled, most scenic back roads that Floyd and the surrounding counties have to offer, so much of the ride is free of car traffic. We also like to change our routes every year, so they always feel fresh, never stale.”
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Behind the scenes, Martha Sullivan has been instrumental since day one. A pottery instructor at Virginia Tech, Martha and her students have contributed hundreds of handmade bowls to the event over the years. Local potter Ron Sutterer of Frog Hollow Pottery, along with students from the Floyd Center for the Arts, also donate bowls.
“My wife, Martha, is the unsung hero of this event, and has helped put this event on every single year since the beginning,” Sullivan said.
Additional unsung heroes include Virginia Neukirch and Elizabeth Warriner, who have helped with the logistics of the events for many years. Both will be retiring from assisting after this year.
From a backyard training ride to one of the oldest gravel events in the U.S., Tour de Dirt continues to blend endurance, scenery, and community spirit — all while fighting food insecurity in Floyd.
This Year’s Ride
The 2026 Tour de Dirt will be held at the Floyd/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (2697 Franklin Pike SE, formerly Chantilly Farm) on Saturday, Oct. 24. Rides start at 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively. Five route options meet every rider’s ambition:
Funn: ∼15 miles
Ultra: ∼30 miles
Lite: ∼40 miles, honoring the original half-loop
Fiddy: “Never 50 miles, always a few extra, always very challenging,” Sullivan said.
Full Pull: ∼80 miles, honoring the original route
Full Pull XL: 100 miles, added by request for cyclists seeking an even bigger challenge
Registration fees range from $45 to $115. All proceeds benefit Plenty!
Aid stations will be placed every 15-20 miles for water and snacks. Every rider will select a handmade pottery bowl after finishing — a Tour de Dirt tradition. Riders celebrate with a chili dinner post-ride, bowls in hand.
To register and learn more about this year's Tour de Dirt, visit the event's website at www.plentyfoodpantry.org/tour-de-dirt.
