Classic New England Dirt
New England could well be the very origin of gravel. The region where dirt roads roads far outnumber paved and cycling is best enjoyed laid back.
The Rough Stuff Fellowship, established in 1957 in the UK, has long been advocating taking your touring bike across any terrain in search of adventure. You could argue this is the birth of gravel riding, but the true spiritual home of gravel is undoubtedly the US, with its long uninterrupted stretches of unpaved road. Nowhere is that more true than Vermont, where around 70% of the roads are free of tarmac. Heaven for any gravel cyclist!
COVERED BRIDGES AND RED BARNS
New England, and Vermont in particular, conjure up classic images of rural America; classic dirt roads, red barns, covered bridges and rugged woodlands. WIth punchy climbs and sweeping descents to enjoy on miles and miles of unpaved dirt roads, it’s clear to see that Vermont is gravel perfection and the only choice for our first US trip.
PRO CREDENTIALS
Vermont is home to ex-pro cyclists, Ian Boswell and Ted King, both of whom have created exciting new chapters in their lives after the buzz of the World Tour. Boswell retired young, thanks partly due to concussion sustained whilst racing, and finds the isolated country roads a refuge. Not that the slow lane beckons, Boswell can be found ripping up any number of gravel events with no sign of slowing. That’s the beauty of riding in Vermont — whether you want to discover sedately or tear up the trails, the countryside is there just waiting for you to ride.
Ted King has taken to gravel events so well that he and his wife Laura have their own, Rooted Vermont. Twice a winner of Unbound, King once cycled 500km (310 miles) down the length of his home state in under 24 hours. With almost 10,000m (31k ft) of climbing and some of the roughest gravel roads to conquer, this was some feat!
It’s easy to see why these ex-pros have said goodbye to their road careers and settled so easily into the gravel life in Vermont.
SUB-CULTURE
Just like Flanders with its frites, beer, techno and lions, Vermont has developed its own particular character, centred around gravel. From penchants for maple syrup, to plaid shirts on the bike and mullet hairstyles, this alt-culture is a thriving, inclusive and fun environment for cycling.
The massive influx of cyclists from outside the region for events like Overland, Unbound and Rooted have seen more and more cycling friendly restaurants, craft breweries and hotels springing up. Vermont welcomes cyclists!
PARCOURS
The most important factor is of course the riding. Dirt roads, logging and farm roads and fire tracks are abundant in Vermont. All punctuated with beautiful forest, Lish countryside and historic farm buildings. The riding is incredibly safe with scarce traffic and very few technical sections.
Our trip features six days of riding from Manchester in the Green Mountains all the way to Victory State Forest, just a few miles from Canada. We ride 324 miles and nearly 40k feet of the best hard-packed dirt roads, smooth gravel and trails.
MOUNTAINS AND FORESTS
This point-to-point adventure starts in the heart of the Green Mountains, heading north for over 300 miles to finish in the Victory State Forest nature reserve, just 40 miles south of the border with Canada. Covered bridges, red barns and rugged woodlands punctuate this beautiful ride — the quintessential gravel trip.
Gravel Vermont
This point-to-point adventure starts in the heart of the Green Mountains, heading north for over 300 miles to finish in the Victory State Forest nature reserve, just 40 miles south of the border with Canada. Covered bridges, red barns and rugged woodlands punctuate this beautiful ride — the quintessential gravel trip.
