Sweet Treat

46 miles of epic Vermont gravel, packed with mountain views, maple creemees, and chunky backcountry roads.

Starting at Madbush, you'll climb straight out of the Valley and up to the historic Waitsfield Common Road, with sweeping views of the Monroe Skyline and classic scenes like old barns and the Von Trapp Farmstead. From there, rip down a 600-foot descent to Pony Road, then follow the Mad River into Moretown.

Next comes 7.5 miles of smooth pavement, including a mellow climb, ending in the quaint town of Middlesex—home to Red Hen Bakery, which serves up one of the best creemees in the state.

The final 30 miles are almost entirely gravel, with mostly smooth dirt roads and one rugged class IV section. You'll start south on River Road along the Winooski River, before turning onto Jones Brook Road and climbing toward the Northfield Mountains. Herring Brook, the class IV stretch, will test your handling skills with rocks, roots, ruts, and whatever else the trail throws at you.

A rolling 10-mile stretch leads to Roxbury Gap—the high point of the weekend’s rides. At the summit, soak in the views of the Monroe Skyline before one last thrilling descent, dropping you all the way back to the Valley and Madbush Falls.