Time to Ride Your Mountain Bike…Almost!
Annual Waterbury Gravel Grinder
Sunday, May 6, 2018 in beautiful downtown Waterbury, VT
Submitted by Waterbury Area Trails Alliance
While it technically is spring, in Vermont that means something different. The snow is still thawing on our peaks, and our trails are very wet. You are aching to get out on your bike but that would compromise the trails. WATA’s temporary cure is our annual spring classic mountain bike dirt road event. All bike types welcome to ride.
This is WATA’s largest annual fundraiser. All proceeds from this race go directly to support trail building and maintenance in the Waterbury area. Places like the Perry Hill trails, Little River State Park’s new trails, and elsewhere. We rely heavily on this fundraiser to operate – come help us out and have fun doing it!
Ride Details
Ride Start: 9:00AM, Sunday, May 6 (make sure to get there around 8AM to get ready and pick up your t-shirt).
Location: The field behind 2 Pilgrim Park (in the Keurig Green Mountain complex – look for the WATA tent).
Route: We’ll have two routes this year!
- The Traditional Grinder: This route will be 25 miles with lots of climbing and lots of dirt winding through the hills of Waterbury – pretty similar to years past (but we’ll switch it up so you don’t get bored). Route details are being finalized so check the event page for updates
- The Big Grind: NEW this year! You asked for it, so here it is – a 40-mile route with even more climbing and gravelly goodness. Really want to test your early season legs? Stoked on the Traditional Grinder but want to see if you can push it a little farther? This is for you. Route details TBD – stay tuned for updates.
Refreshments: There will be an aid station mid-route with plenty of snacks, including water and other libations.
Included in your registration fee is food provided by Blackback Pub! After the ride we’ll serve up some hot grub at Pilgrim Park – so make sure to bring your appetite and some warm clothes (it can get chilly). We’ll also have great Vermont craft beer provided by Vermont Beer Shepherd. Pre-ride breakfast, coffee and snacks provided by Stowe Street Cafe, by donation!
Weather: We ride rain or shine – it’s a gravel grinder after all!
This just in: Best Western Plus Waterbury-Stowe has offered up a discount to anyone riding in the Gravel Grinder. Simply use the code GG18 when you book at http://www.bestwesternwaterburystowe.com/. Best Western is a WATA sponsor and are very bike friendly, they even let you bring your bike into your room for secure storage!
Make sure to keep up with event updates on our Facebook Event Page.