GRIP Getaway
A Women’s Bike event
GRIP Getaway:
A Women’s Bike event in Happy Valley
Embark on a thrilling adventure at the GRIP Getaway: A Women’s Bike Day in Happy Valley! Join us for a weekend of cycling, learning, training, and community in beautiful Central Pennsylvania.
GRIP stands for Grow, Renew, Inspire, and Purpose – and that’s exactly what you’ll experience at this exciting bike getaway. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced rider in gravel or mountain biking, all skill levels are welcome!
Ride through the breathtaking Rothrock Forest and Harvest Fields Community Trails with our guided group rides and skills training from PMBIA Certified Instructors.
Watch the 2026 Retreat Overview Video
Quick Details
Date: August 7-9, 2026
Check-in Location/Base Camp: Wyndham Garden State College, Boalsburg, PA
Discipline: Road, Gravel, Mountain Bikers are welcome (skills, strength, maintenance) and no-drop rides
Online Registration Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 8:00 PM ET
Hotel Group Rates: Wyndham Garden State College | Boalsburg, PA Hotels
Group Rides
Bike Handling
Mindset Training
Amazing scenery
About the Get A GRIP Retreat
In 2026, get ready for an unforgettable adventure with our guided group rides for gravel and mountain bikers through the breathtaking Rothrock Forest. This retreat is for both beginner or advanced riders and offers a great opportunity to meet and chat with ladies from other areas.
What’s Included:
- No-drop group rides for mountain and gravel biking
- Skills training from PMBIA Certified Instructors
- Mindset training with Kerry Bestwick, a life coach for athletes at the collegiate and Olympic levels
- Delicious lunch on Saturday
- Snacks to keep you fueled
- Fun giveaways
- A beer token to a local brewery
- And much more!
Where you’ll ride…
Gravel and Mountain biking in Rothrock Forest, Pennsylvania, are adventures that immerse riders in a breathtaking natural landscape complete with rocky and wooded trails. The gravel conditions vary seasonally, but summer and fall gravel riding are peak times of the year to experience Rothrock State Forest.
One of the highlights of biking in Rothrock Forest is the sweeping views that await you at various points along the trails. As you conquer the challenging climbs, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic vistas that showcase the forest’s splendor. These views provide the perfect opportunity to pause, catch your breath, and appreciate the stunning landscapes of Pennsylvania.
Conditions in Rothrock Forest are well-maintained, adding an extra dimension of excitement to the ride and range from rolling hills to more demanding ascents. Surfaces offer enough stability to grip and maneuver the bike confidently, allowing riders to navigate the trails with ease.
Harvest Fields Trails and Skills Park
Harvest Fields Community Trails and skills park are the Centre Regions newest and most accessible trails! Purpose built with ALL users in mind, we encourage riders of all levels to get out there and enjoy our incredible new community cycling resource open to the public
Road Rides
Road riding around Centre County offers the reward of rolling hills and quiet backroads of Happy Valley. Routes may vary, but the group will stick together on our no-drop rides. You’ll get the charm of the region’s picturesque farms, peaceful country lanes, and sweeping mountain ridges.
As you bike through areas like Centre Hall, Boalsburg, Lemont, and Houserville, the landscape unfolds with fields, classic farms, and long stretches of scenic roadway. The rolling terrain provides steady challenges, with climbs that lead to quick descents. Riding these roads invites you to experience the natural beauty and rural character that make Centre County such a special place to explore by bike.
We’re excited to welcome Stelleri Performance Training this year. Their mission is to build and foster a community of dedicated Master women athletes who want to stay strong and competitive as they ‘age up’. They’re focused on educating and supporting athletes to help them become the best they can be, at any age. To find out more about Stelleri Performance Training, visit their website at stelleritraining.com.
Schedule of Events
Friday, august 7
| 4:00pm | Welcome + Meet up for a townie (road) ride with a visit to the Penn State Lion Shrine + ice cream social at the Creamery. Post-ride, we’ll break off into small groups (gravel, mountain, road) for a small group touch base before wrapping up. Location: Sunset Park (map), 850 McKee St, State College, PA 16803 |
| Evening | Dinner on own, explore Happy Valley here: https://happyvalley.com/c/eat |
Saturday, August 8
| 8:00am |
Morning Skills training/ road skills and ride.
Start Location: Gravel – Tussey Mountain Mountain – Harvest Fields Road – Wyndham Hotel |
| 12:00pm | Catered Lunch at the Wyndham Garden Hotel and 45 min discussion and demo on strength + Q&A |
| 2:00pm | Guided Ride w/ optional Maintenance Training at The Bike Roost with Cooper Burges |
| 5:00pm | Meet at Boal City Brewing for social hour w/ beer tokens included. |
| Evening | Dinner on own. There are several options around Boalsburg. Boal City Brewing will have an outside food truck (TBD). |
Sunday, August 9
| 9:00am | Optional guided ride or yoga session. The ride is dependent on volunteer numbers and interest. Location: Ride: Tussey Mountain Yoga: PYP Studio (map) |
“I just wanted to send a quick personal note to thank you, and all who helped, for putting on the retreat… It was well thought out, well organized, and just a really nice day. I learned a lot and it was nice meeting a bunch of unique and special ladies. I left feeling renewed, and more confident at the possibility of spending more time on a bike and on the beautiful mountain gravel roads.”
Learning
Giveaways
Social Time
Meals/Snacks
REGISTRATION IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
We are excited to see you in Boalsburg, PA for the GRIP Getaway 2026! Join us and register today.
#morewomenonbikes
Want to learn more about Happy Valley?
Happy Valley is a great place to play, live and work. We have plenty to smile about in the heart of Pennsylvania. Happy Valley is recognized as a great location for remote working; for entrepreneurs to live and launch; a safe place for families; and one of the fastest growing areas of the state, perfect for young professionals. Our communities have been described as vibrant, up-and-coming, historic and quaint, and a best college town in America by ESPN voters!
Find out more about where to eat, sleep, visit and do in Happy Valley.