As the summer sun warms up the Okemo Valley, local cyclists are gearing up for another brilliant season on two wheels. To find out where the best rides are hiding this year, we reached out for an exclusive interview with the team at Tygart Mountain Sports. Whether you are a seasoned gravel grinder or a nervous beginner worried about keeping pace, their popular Tuesday night group rides are designed to prove that cycling in Vermont is all about community, stunning landscapes, and—of course—a well-deserved post-ride brew.
What kind of terrain are we talking about? (Where do the routes actually go?)
We ride blacktop, gravel, and some dirt trails. Nothing too aggressive. Our main goal is to get to a gravel road as soon as possible once we start riding, but there are times and spots where we ride on roadways. If you’re uncomfortable or nervous about riding on any of these, we usually have between 2-4 of our bike techs on the group rides and we can give you some pointers. We have different routes, and if you download the app STRAVA, you can link to all of our routes right on our website. We’ve compiled a list of some of the prettiest rides in the area. We do not use all of the routes listed on our website, there are several options available for anyone who is looking for a good route. We have a dedicated Facebook page for our group rides and every Monday we post our routes for the next day’s ride. It’s Vermont so there are definitely hills to climb and hills to go down so the level of exertion can vary depending on the route. We have some very chill routes, and we have some pretty long and hilly routes.
I’m worried I’ll be too slow. What does a 'No-Drop' ride actually mean?
No one is too slow. We can all ride out our own pace, but we stop at major intersections, tops of climbs when needed, and anywhere when the group gets spread out. No drop means we will not have a speedy group in front who goes so fast that they drop the slower riders. There is no judgement, all adult riding abilities are welcome, and we love to have new members join the group. This is not a peloton ride, meaning we aren’t chasing speed times, segments, or KOM’s (king of the mountains), our goal is to have a nice ride in the beautiful Vermont landscape, and then enjoy a beer or dinner at Killarney with everyone at the end of the ride.
How long should I expect to be out riding?
Our rides are typically between 1-2hrs depending on the route. I typically give a heads up about the duration and difficulty level of the ride when I post the route on Monday evenings.
Is this a limited-time thing, or are you riding all season long?
We ride all summer long and into the fall. Our first ride is usually in May, and I think our last ride last years was sort of mid October. We let the weather and daylight dictate when we’re done.
What essentials should I pack in my saddlebag?
It’s always good to have some water or hydration of some sort, a spare tube or patch kit, and a bike multi tool to take care of anything that might pop up on the rides. Again, we typically have a couple of professional bike techs on the rides, so we can take care of anything that pops up. Your phone to grab pics or track your ride is always good to have, and if we’re on long rides, a good snack is essential to keep you fueled.
Can I just show up, or do I need to RSVP somewhere?
You can absolutely just show up. We leave the Tygart Mountain Sports parking lot at 5:45 every Tuesday. The easiest way to keep updated is to follow our group ride page on Facebook or if you’re unable, just give the shop a call 802-228-5440.
Additional details?
- Rides are whether dependent, so if it’s obvious the weather is going to be bad for a particular Tuesday, we post as soon as possible that the ride is cancelled. In some situations the cancellations can be very last minute due to sudden weather changes (welcome to Vermont) and those will also be on the Facebook page. However, if the weather is nice, we ride.
- As mentioned, our rides culminate with beers and or dinner at Killarney across from the shop here in Ludlow.
- E-bikes are welcome, mountain bikes are welcome, gravel bikes are welcome, etc. the only limiting factor is to make sure if you’re on a dedicated road bike that your tires aren’t too skinny, skinny tires and gravel don’t mix very well. If you’re unsure, just call the shop and we’ll get you sorted.
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