Meeting of the grinds

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Explore the Slate Valley through a range of guided gravel and mountain bike rides.  For those who would rather not be forced into a binary cycling choice, we’ll celebrate the renaissance of “all terrain biking” with a few old school, bad roads routes.  Less tarmac, less singletrack, more outback. Are you a gravel-curious fat tire rider? A gravel rider looking to send it on your "skinny" tires?  We’ll have demo bikes covering the spectrum.

The event will feature gravel, singletrack and adventure rides for all ages and abilities, demos, vendors, food, and beverages including a range of craft brews from Zero Gravity and Halyard Brewing Co.  Families with children will find engaging ride options and fun activities for kids.  The day will be capped with a run-whatcha-brung, no-holds-barred sprint race to nab bragging rights for the day.

Tickets include all-day, morning and/or afternoon guided rides, snacks (including Kate's Real Food bars, Cabot Cheese and more!), burritos from Ranch Camp, event t-shirt, and one raffle ticket.

Location: Slate Valley Trails, Fairgrounds Trailhead. 131 Town Farm Road, Poultney VT. 

Schedule

8:00am - Arrive, ride sign-ups

9:00am - Rides Depart (some all day rides, some shorter morning rides)

1:00pm - Afternoon Rides Depart (shorter)

4:00pm - All Rides Return for Burritos, Beer Tastings, vendors, etc.

5:00pm - "Run Whatcha Brung" Sprint Race and other shenanigans

6:30pm - Race Results and Raffle

**GRID VIEW of the schedule** 

Note - exact rides offered are SUBJET TO CHANGE based on interest and other factors

Ride Options

 Upon registering, you'll be asked what type and level ride you'd like to participate in. You will sign up for the exact ride(s) on the day of the event.

**LIST VIEW of the rides, with details** 

Note - exact rides offered are SUBJET TO CHANGE based on interest and other factors

Here's a description of our general ride classifications for your reference:

Grinder: Distance gravel tour - all day ride

• Plenty of stamina, not a lot of rest breaks
• Loves CLIMBING
• Comfortable on pavé/class 4
• Rides 3-5 times per week
• 42C+ tires
• ~50 mile, 5,000 vert and ~60+ mile, 6,000 vert options

Cruiser: Social gravel tour - half day ride (am/pm options)

• Good stamina
• Loves climbing…but likes a wind break at the top
• Rides most weekends
• 38C+ tires
• ~30 mile, 2,500 vert and ~15 mile, 1,500 vert options

Outback: Old school, mixed terrain adventure ride - all day ride

• Plenty of stamina
• Solid bike-handling skills, comfortable on pavé/class 4
• Love climbing…and the downhill!
• Rides 3-5 times per week
• 50C+ tires recommended
• ~45 mile, 5,600 vert 
• **New 1/2 day option, 25 miles and 3,200 vert**

Epic: Singletrack mtb shred - all day ride

• Plenty of stamina, not a lot of rest breaks
• Loves CLIMBING
• Comfortable on technical terrain
• Rides 3-5 times per week
• 35+ mile, 3,500+ vert and 25+ mile, 3,000+ vert options

Keep it Single: Classic mtb tours - half day ride (am/pm options)

• Moderate and social pace options (party ride!!)
• Beginner and intermediate terrain options
• Ladies option
• 10+ and 15+ mile options with ~1,200+ vert.
• **and the MTBVT Social Safari ride - 20+ mi., great trails, great party, social pace **

Adaptive: A Ride for Every Body!

• VT Adaptive Ski and Sports will be on site with mentors and bike demos.
• Mellow double track and adaptive-friendly singletrack options.

Youth: Rides specifically created for the wee shredders ages 6-12

Novice MTB: Ready to learn and have fun (am/pm options)

• New to biking
• Not sure of shifting
• My boyfriend / girlfriend is making me do this
• Could use some coaching

Clinics:  Ride with a coach and gain some skills!

• Beginner MTB
• MTB Jumps (advanced)

Family Activities

We are planning a whole host of FAMILY ACTIVITIES for the event including:

• Morning Rides:  Kids Ride (ages 5+) and Strider Bike Ride (under 5
• Afternoon Games & Races:  Paper Boy/Girl, Catalog Race, Fun w/ Water Balloons, Bike Limbo
• Smoothie Bike:  Check out our bike-powered smoothie maker - use your own power to make a delicious smoothie!  By donation.

CHILDCARE:  We know parents want to ride with the other Big Kids, so we are offering up a limited number of *childcare* spots; drop your kiddo (age 5+) and their bike with our Super Parent and Pied-Piper Sarah Graham and her Merry Band of helpers, and head out on your morning or afternoon ride of choice! Space is limited.  Email Caitrin at Caitrin.Maloney[at]gmail.com to reserve your spot, or take your chances and sign up at the event.  

Vendors

We'll have vendors onsite with bike stuff, clothing, coffee, massage and more!

• Heart to Table Massage
• SDR Clothing Company
• Saw Dog Coffee
• Bicycle Express
• Ranch Camp
• MTBVT
• Battenkill Bicycles
• The Gearhouse
• Zerode Bikes
• Vermont Mountain Bike Association
• Slate Valley Trails

Raffle

And we'll have prizes from a range of local and regional businesses and non-profits.  Your event tickets includes a raffle ticket - increase your chances with extra tickets purchased online or at the event!

• Killington Bike Park (2 season passes!)
• Analog Cycles
• Bradlleys Pro Shop Ski and Bike 
• Johnson and Son Bicycles
• Vermont Maple Reserved
• JK Adams
• HN Williams
• Barrows House/Dorset Inn
• Zen Revolution
• Dorset Union Store
• Vermont Coffee Company
• Sweet Birch Coffee Roasters
• Towee
• SDR Clothing Company
• Saw Dog Coffee
• Ranch Camp
• MTBVT
• Battenkill Bicycles
• The Gearhouse
• Zerode Bikes
• Vermont Mountain Bike Association
•  and of course Slate Valley Trails!

About Slate Valley Trails

Slate Valley Trails, Inc. (SVT) is a volunteer community group founded in 2015 whose mission is to build, maintain and promote foot and bicycling trails in the Slate Valley region of southwestern Vermont. SVT is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and a chapter of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association.  

About MTBVT

Mountain Bike Vermont (MTBVT.com) is an online journal, events promoter, apparel company, and rolling party starter. MTBVT’s dual initiative is documenting and promoting the Green Mountain State’s burgeoning cycling community. Visit MTBVT.com for info on our annual event series, shop our online store, and peruse new and archived articles. #MTBVT 

REGISTER through Event Brite by clicking below.

We are also looking for volunteers - both to lead rides, and to help out with the event.  To sign up to volunteer, please email Caitrin Maloney:  caitrin.maloney[AT]gmail.com