Get on Your Bikes and Ride!
Uniquely Vermont Rides and Races

By Riley Momenee

As the summer reaches its peak, so does your fitness! It’s time to go out and tackle some summer and early fall bike rides, bike and triathlon races throughout Vermont. Join in the fun to find community, set new PRs, and get out there.

Tour De Slate – This “Ride to End Addiction” takes place on Saturday, Aug. 1 and raises funds for the Adult and Teen Challenge VT. The rides are centered around the quiet, historic town of Middletown Springs and the neighboring towns in Rutland County. The Tour De Slate boasts six ride options, encouraging all ages and abilities to participate. The metric century ride (63M) will take you on a beautiful tour through the heart of the slate country of southwestern Vermont and New York. There are two “Groad” (50/50 paved/unpaved) options: the 40M Quarry Route and the shorter 30m Farm Route – both led by local guides. There is the local favorite 36M “Medium Route” and the 15M “Short Route” – an out and back ride avoiding major hills. There is also a rails/trails “Family Ride” of 8M. Finally, the virtual ride allows you to create your own route at a time and place of your choosing until Aug. 2. Enjoy the beautiful Taconic Mountains and the Slate Valley, see you out there! For ride details, visit tourdeslate.org.

Vermont Sun Triathlon Series – The last two races in the 40th annual series are the Vermont Sun Triathlon (sprint) and Branbury Classic (paddle instead of swim) on Sunday, Aug. 2, and Vermont Sun Triathlon (sprint) and Lake Dunmore Triathlon (Olympic) on Sunday, Aug. 30. Based at Branbury State Park on beautiful Lake Dunmore, the courses offer races in a relaxed, welcoming environment. They’re fun for newbies gaining experience and for seasoned athletes looking to challenge themselves. The Vermont Sports team has new and old ties to the Vermont Sun Triathlon Series as it was the first team triathlon in 1987 for our publisher, Darryl Caron, back when Vermont Sun only had the paddle/bike/run option. The Branbury Classic was also mine and Abigail Caron’s first triathlon in 2024, it features a paddle section which is a fun and rare twist on the typical triathlon model. I competed on my own, while Abigail formed a relay team with her mom and brother. The paddle was very pleasant on the calm water, the bike was safe and fast with some rolling and gradual hills around the lake, and the run followed a nice and shady out-and-back route. Give Vermont Sun a go at vermontsuntrathlonseries.com. 

Last Mile Bike – The Last Mile Bike is being held on Saturday, Aug. 15 in conjunction with a Last Mile that’s a timed 5K run with 1M and 2M walks on Friday, Aug. 14. Taking place at the Gifford Medical Center, the Last Mile is a fundraiser to help families and their loved ones who are at the end of life with covering the costs of alternative therapies, transportation, family meals and portraits, and unique wishes. There are four bicycle routes, with a nice range of distance, difficulty, and road options. The “popular for all levels of riders” 12M gravel route that follows along the Thayer and Riford brooks is a pleasant ride with some scenic dirt roads. The 20M gravel route is well-traveled and offers challenges and rewards for dirt road enthusiasts. The 13M road route is an out-and-back ride that is friendly for all levels. And finally, the 24M scenic road route is considered rider friendly for all levels, taking riders through surrounding towns. There is also a scenic motorcycle ride option (how it all began!). Every participant is encouraged to fundraise to support local patients and families, to get involved go to giffordhealthcare.org/lastmile.

Race to the Top of Vermont – On Sunday, Aug. 30, bikers, e-bikers, runners, and hikers will Race to the Top of Vermont at Stowe Mountain Resort. This year is extra special, marking the 20th anniversary of the fundraiser for the Catamount Trail Association in partnership with Delta Dental. The course ascends via the historic Mansfield Toll Road – totaling 4.3M in length and 2,564 feet of elevation gain – with rewarding views at the top. For some, it’s about achieving a fast time on the challenging course. For others, it’s simply about celebrating summer and supporting the Catamount Trail Association. Either way, it takes grit and determination to reach the top of Vermont. Postrace, you’ll be greeted with great food, refreshing beverages, and high fives! Visit rtttovt.com.

Absolute Mountain – Held on Saturday, Sept. 5, Absolute Mountain is a unique absolute fitness event at Stowe Mountain Resort. This inaugural race has participants taking on steep elevation, rugged trails, and a series of demanding workouts as they race toward the summit of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield. Athletes begin with a two-minute max-effort, upper-body push machine, then the race officially begins as participants race uphill completing seven workout stations along the 3K course. The seven workout stations include: 30 reps over the shoulder medicine ball toss, a 700m SkiErg, 70m of weighted lunges, a 700m RowErg, 100m uphill backwards run, 150m per side suitcase carry, and a 1,200m BikeErg. If that doesn’t sound challenging enough, participants can qualify for the “absolute” division, completing the course while wearing a 20lbs weighted vest. Check out this absolute race at absolutemountain.com.

Triquest Gravel Tri – A unique gravel triathlon is coming back for year two! Taking place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Camp Plymouth State Park in Ludlow, the second Triquest Gravel Tri has more swim buoys, an improved run course, more event options – including a duathlon, aquabike, and relay choices, over-the-top food, reserved campsites, and a smores party on Friday evening. The standard triathlon features a 1M swim, 28M bike, and a 7.5M run. The aquabike is the swim and bike legs only, the duathlon replaces the swim with an additional 3.5M run, or you could form a two- or three-person relay team to divvy up the standard tri legs. No matter how you participate, a gravel triathlon is not one to miss, so check out triquest.co.

Old Spokes Home Fall Fundo – The Fall Fundo is Old Spokes Home bike shop’s annual fundraising ride taking place on Saturday, Sept. 26 – it’s a ride, not a race! It’s an opportunity for riders of all experience levels to ride with friends and make new ones. Inclusion and accessibility are central to the fundo, and they welcome riders using adaptive equipment and families riding with kids. They offer four supported routes: 15K, 45K, 70K, and 100K, through Northern Chittenden county’s backroads. The ride starts and ends at the bike shop in Burlington. After the ride, enjoy live music, local food and drinks, friends, and stories from the ride. Funds raised support their bike access programs for youth in the community, and Everybody Bikes – their flagship program providing significantly discounted bike sales and repairs for income-qualifying customers. Pedal together to support bikes for all at oldspokeshome.com.

Grateful XC MTB Race – Taking place on Saturday, Oct. 10 and held at Memphremagog Trails in Newport – quietly home to some of the best singletrack in the region, this cross country mountain bike race is equally challenging and accessible with low registration fees. The course features a freshly updated 10M loop of pure singletrack magic. Fast, flowy, machined descents, tight twisty tech, and over 1,300 feet of elevation gain per lap. With one lap or two lap options as well as an untimed party lap and a free youth race/ride, there are many options for everyone to participate. After the ride, enjoy delicious food trucks, live music, and the unbeatable energy of the Northeast Kingdom community. Local artisans will be at the on-site farmers market, and the pump track and skills area will be open to all ages. Bring the family and make a day of it. This year, in honor of Anthony Moccia, proceeds from Grateful will support the Halo Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families navigating cancer treatment, and Little Bellas, an organization that creates a community to empower women through cycling. To get in on the fun, go to bikereg.com.

CircumVictory XC MTB Race – Race on the Northeast Kingdom’s “wild side” in this second reincarnation of the CircumBurke, a popular Vermont trail running race. CircumVictory rides again on Saturday, Oct. 17 on Victory Hill in the town of Victory, featuring challenging singletrack and fun mountain biking to please hardcore racers and recreational riders alike. Based upon a 16-17M loop, the XCM Mountain Bike Race completes the loop twice, while the XC Mountain Bike Challenge goes around once. Last year, CircumVictory attracted over 150 cyclists (and runners) including Olympic MTB medalist, Georgia Gould, and an Unbound Gravel double winner, Ted King. Victory Hill is a non-commercial trail club that maintains the trails you will race on – all proceeds are reinvested in trail maintenance. To race the “wild side” visit bikereg.com.

Riley Momenee (riley@adksports.com) edits and designs for Vermont Sports and Upstate Sports magazines and spends most of his free time outdoors. He loves biking of all kinds, and recently just got a new mountain bike, so now he finds himself on the trails more than the roads.