It took place early in May 2025 in a beautiful corner of the state of Virginia, USA. “After years of riding on the gravel roads in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I was out on a ride with a good friend who kept saying, ‘We need to have a gravel race here,’” Cynthia says “It finally clicked that maybe I should be the one to make it happen!”

In a lesser visited part of the southern part of the state, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a wild and remote area that’s not often explored by bike. “The mountains of Virginia hold a special place in my heart,” says Cynthia. “I lived in the valley below the Blue Ridge for almost a decade and it’s most certainly my favourite place in the world to ride. The Blue Ridge is where I learned to ride gravel, it’s where I fell in love with the mountains, and I want to share both sentiments with folks from all over.”

This year, as usual, there were two routes, covering 30 miles (50km) and 60 miles (100km). Of the course, Cynthia says: “If you were to ask any racer, they’d say there are few events with courses as challenging as Gravista. The route brings riders over several sustained climbs with little to no traffic, in beautiful remote areas shaded by deep green forests. The gravel is technical, fast, fun, challenging, ever-changing, and a dream for all gravel riders out there.”

More than 70 riders lined up at Gravista, and enjoyed a pizza party, bands and more. “Not only do I want folks to come out and enjoy the little slice of heaven that the Blue Ridge offers, I want them to experience it with others,” she says.