Join us! June 2nd -8th
Valentine – Bassett – Burwell – Burwell – Petersburg – Stromsburg – Wahoo – Louisville
BRAN 42 gravel ROUTE
“Rolling Across the Heartland”
We chose this particular route for lots of great reasons. Many riders from past BRANs enjoyed riding in the Sandhills, and we wanted to give them a chance to experience it once more. We’ve kept the length of each ride at a distance where riders can finish their ride and still have time to explore the towns along the way.
This route will also give riders road and gravel options on almost every day. Finally, we’ve added a flex day in Burwell, giving riders the opportunity to ride the Burwell Loop around the Calamus reservoir self-supported, take a break from riding, sign up for tubing or tanking with the Calamus Outfitters, or look at other opportunities to check out within the Burwell community.
Please note that, while unlikely, exact route is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as road closures, etc.
BRAN 42 Gravel Option
Looking for a little more adventure on BRAN? Want to get off the beaten path and explore even more of Nebraska’s natural beauty? The optional gravel routes may be for you!
The routes presented here are suggestions, only and will not be supported.
While you’re welcome to explore rural Nebraska however you wish, we do recommend a bike with at least 35mm tires. Many of these roads will be well-worn, nearly dirt paths, while other roads may have fresh gravel making travel difficult. Especially int he sandhills, the unpaved roads in Nebraska an be mighty unpredictable, from wash-outs to sandy soil, and the ever-present thorns, so plan ahead! Tubeless tires are the new favorite among many gravel riders, but slime tubes and tire inserts are also popular options. Just make sure you have your repair gear and a cell phone!
These suggested routes are unsupported – no SAG stops or route markings unless the route intersects with the main route, so you’ll be on your own for flats or emergency repairs, which for many, is a large part of the appeal! Adventure abounds in rural Nebraska!
BRAN Day 1 | Valentine to Bassett
Your Day 1 Route will give you a chance to ride the Cowboy Trail and cross the iconic Cowboy Trail Bridge over the Niobrara River just outside of Valentine. Keep your eyes open for wildlife: Both white-tail and mule deer are common along this route, especially right after sunrise. It’s also possible to see more than one bald eagle!
Start Town: Valentine, NE
End Town: Bassett, NE
Estimated Milage: 64
BRAN Day 2 | Bassett to Burwell
The Day 2 gravel option is actually three options: A “short” route of 75 miles, a medium route of 81 miles that takes you by Tein Lakes Wildlife Management and Recreation area, or you can opt for the longest route -not only will you get almost 90 miles, but you’ll get to find out why Windy Hill gets it’s name!
Start Town: Bassett, NE
End Town: Burwell, NE
Estimated Milage: 75 to 85 miles
BRAN Day 3 | Burwell Loop
Day 3 is also our free day in Burwell. While we had originally planned for some optional loop rides, road construction plans may affect our ability to ride at all. Consider signing up for the tubing or tanking option instead!
BRAN Day 4 | Burwell to Petersburg
Day 4 route starts off on the same path as the road ride through Ericson, before pealing off to explore Ericson Lake, The Hungry Horse Saloon, and then along Beaver Valley Road.
Start Town: Burwell, NE
End Town: Petersburg, NE
Estimated Mileage: 66
BRAN Day 5 | Petersburg to Stromsburg
Day 5 route sticks pretty close to the main ride, but gives a scenic optional route along Old Mill Road and Beaver Creek. Also, Calvary Lutheran Church and the Waterfowl Assault Club.
Start Town: Petersburg, NE
End Town: Stromsburg, NE
Estimated Milage: 68
BRAN Day 6 | Stromsburg to Wahoo
For the Day 6 route, we stick with the road ride in the morning so we can visit Osceola, Shelby, Rising City, and Brainard before pealing off to the Oak Creek Trail, and then through Weston to Wahoo.
Start Town: Stromsburg, NE
End Town: Wahoo, NE
Estimated Milage: 71
BRAN Day 7 | Wahoo to Louisville
Day 7 is always a short ride for BRAN riders. It gives all the riders a chance to finish their BRAN experience early in the day and grab a free lunch on us before getting on the road for home, and we wanted to stick with that plan as much as possible, but we can’t pass up a chance to ride past Memphis Lake!
BEFORE YOU LEAVE, be sure to grab a complimentary hotdog, chips, cookies and a drink prepared with the help of a local Youth Group. It’s our way of thanking you for riding with us on this year’s BRAN.
Hope to see you in 2025 for our next BRAN!!
Start Town: Wahoo, NE
End Town: Louisville, NE
Estimated Milage: 43
Thanks to Visit531Nebraska!
The Visit531Nebraska book is the most comprehensive guide to Nebraska’s 531 incorporated communities. It’s a travel guide, log, history book, and living photo album featuring unique content on every one of Nebraska’s towns. Jam-packed with restaurant recommendations, information on festivals, museums, recreation areas, and more!
Check them outline at https://wandermorepublishing.com/
BRAN SPONSORS
If you are interested in sponsoring, supporting, or volunteering for BRAN 41, please CONTACT US!