There is no need to go to Europe to compete in 3 enduring weeks of racing in the Tour De France when Vermont has plenty of one to 4 day races to get those competitive juices flowing.

July

Vermont Mountain Bike Festival 7/22 -7/24
For you mountain bike lovers, Warren, VT is the place to be for three days of non-competitive fun.   Go at you own pace and have some fun while you are at it.  There will be morning and afternoon rides all three days of the festival for all abilities.  There will also be family rides and clinics.  Want a break from the riding?  That is no problem at all there will be over 35 vendors on site or if you want head over to Mt. Lincoln for the Family Adventure Zone at Sugarbush Resort. There you will find plenty of activities to entertain the kids including:  indoor activities, basketball, bungee trampoline, gaga ball and 2 inflatable bounce houses.  Register as a family and receive 50% off the Adventure Zone. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included on site (including a Saturday night BBQ) along with live music.

August

Mount Equinox Uphill Bike Climb – 8/6
Manchester, VT welcomes back the Gear Up for Lyme Race this year.  This race is not for the faint of heart.  Riders from all over the US and Canada return year after year in hopes of making it up the mountain first.  This a challenging 5.4-mile bike race up scenic Mt. Equinox Skyline Drive finishing at the top of Mt. Equinox.  You will start at the bottom of Skyline Drive at an elevation of 600 ft. and make your way up the mountain encountering steep climbs and switchbacks.  When you arrive at the top you will have gained an elevation of 3248 ft. with an average grade of 12%.  At the top you will be welcomed by cheers and ringing bells as you cross the finish line. Make sure you have someone to give you a ride down the mountain because bikes are not allowed to ride back down.

Afterwards enjoy an BBQ and an awards ceremony.  Male and female racers who finished 1st – 3rd in all age categories will be get a prize from various local businesses.  There will also be awards giving out for anyone who rides up on a unicycle or a tandem bike. All funds raised from the race help fund research for a Lyme disease cure as well as support the local charities of the Rotary Club of Manchester.  Feel like you are up for the challenge? The time to beat for males is 35:51 and for females 41:48

Vermont Challenge 2016 – 8/11 – 8/14
This is the 5th year for The Vermont Challenge as it starts off in Manchester, VT.  It has become a must in cycling tours in New England from when it first started 4 years ago.  You have your chose of riding the many one-day rides or the 4-day long package tour. It’s the best of both rolled into a 4-day tour. Of course you can choose to ride less than all four days, but to truly experience the beauty of Southern and Central Vermont, you are strongly urged to ride 2 or more days. Join them for our their special 5th year anniversary for some new twists and turns. The Vermont Challenge offers daily routes that are both challenging for elite recreational cyclists as well as tamer routes for all riders.

On Wednesday night enjoy a kick off dinner at the Taconic Hotel in Manchester.  Thursday and Friday enjoy Farm to Table lunches for riders and their families.at Dana Thompson Park in Manchester. Friday night there will be a group dinner at Stratton Mountain Resort in Bondville.  Saturday enjoy a Bike Festival as well music by the Don’t Leave Band and an evening concert. Finally, on Sunday there will be a Finale lunch at Stratton Mountain Resort

So come ride through the picturesque countryside, covered bridges, river valleys and historic villages of Southern and Central Vermont.

Harpoon Brewery Point To Point – 8/13
Windsor, VT is host to the 2016 Harpoon Brewery Point To Point cycling race.  The race is sponsored by the National Life Group to benefit the Vermont Food Bank.

You can choose from a 25, 50 or 100-mile road ride and new this year is a 20-mile mountain bike ride.  It is totally up to you. Whatever ride you choose you will enjoy beautiful courses all at Ascutney Mountain.  Training rides will be held with some of the bike shop sponsors. Of course every great ride deserves a beer, so at the end of each ride you will end up at a Harpoon friendly pub for a post ride party with fresh beer, BBQ. live music and fun with the sponsors.   For the those who are 21+ the first beer is on them.  Make sure you tell your friends because at the party they will be raffling off bike jerseys and other great stuff from the sponsors.

Not only will you be getting out and enjoying the fresh air and exercise you will also be supporting a great cause.

The Race To The Top Of Vermont – 8/28
Bike, hike or run your way to the top of Mt Mansfield in Stowe, VT. Every August North Face Race to the Top draws people from all over the US and Canada to climb up Vermont’s highest peak.  You ride 4.3 miles and climb 3564 ft. up the historic Mansfield Toll Road all the way to the top. For some it’s all about trying to achieve a fast time up the tough 4.3-mile course. For others, they come to test themselves, and to enjoy the spectacular views.

This race is not only for the people who are driven to train 7 days a week or and were just born with great genetics. This is an event for everyone.  Of course no one said that the Race To The Top is going to be easy. It is not meant to be.  This race is going to challenge you, and test you at the same time, but if you are determined you will make it to the Top of Vermont. and you will proud of what you accomplished.  No matter why you came, just know that 100% of proceeds from the race support the Catamount Trail Association and all the great work they do maintaining the trails.

September

Green Mountain Stage Race – 9/2 – 9/5
Come to Waitsfield, VT for the largest Pro/Am road race east of the Mississippi.  Enjoy 4 days of exciting and challenging racing in the beautiful Vermont Green Mountains.

The race consists of 4 stages.  The first stage is the Warren Store Time Trial. You will start off on East Warren Rd and climb for 2.3 miles.  At this point the course starts to go downhill and will be fast. When you reach around 5.2 miles you will enter the dip at the bottom of the road and you will immediately encounter a short sharp climb. Near the end the climb relents and your legs and lungs will start to burn as you ride the final .3 miles to a slightly uphill to the finish.

Stage 2 is The Bridges Circuit Race and is around 19.9 miles with a 13.9-mile finish section with a net elevation gain of 700 ft. per lap. The rolling circuit brings you through central Vermont and towards the end you will pass through Moretown Village before making your way on to Rte. 100.  Here you will make your final climb to the finish line where the feed zone is located.

On Stage 3 you will encounter the all-day Champion Mad River Road Race.  The courses and mileage have yet to be determined so be sure to check on the website for more details.

Finally, on Sunday is Stage 4 the Dealer.com Burlington Criterium.  This a very difficult 6-corner course that takes you through the heart of downtown Burlington.  Racers be warned because you will encounter some irregular pavement, cobblestones, manhole covers and grates.  You will need to be alert because you could come upon unforeseen obstacles on the course. Due to the technical nature this course it is recommended that you make a walking inspection of the course beforehand.

For more information about the races visit:

Vermont Mountain Bike Festival
Mount Equinox Uphill Climb
Vermont Challenge 2016
Harpoon Brewery Point to Point
The Race To The Top of Vermont
Green Mountain Stage Race

If you are a more leisurely rider and just want to spend a day riding through Vermont or plan a biking vacation go to Vermont.com Biking page.

Need a place to stay before or after the race?  Vermont.com lodging page.

For information about the weather the day of the race.  Head to Vermont.com weather.

So what are you waiting for get on your bikes and ride!!!!!