Battenkill Bicycles
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Local Rides

Battenkill Bicycles – Strava Club

We are always trying to connect local riders, provide information, and share opportunities for visitors to find ride routes. Although we realize Strava is not for everyone, it is a great platform to connect with other riders, discover routes, and challenge each other. Join the club and connect.

The Hills of Manchester

Stats

    • Distance – ~25 miles
    • ~1,740ft of climbing
  • ~1:50 average ride time

Ride Description

The hills of Manchester. Last August I rode this route with John Sohikian in advance of his 4-day cycling event, The Vermont Challenge, in the Manchester/Stratton area. This 25-mile route has some nice hills to test your legs and sticks close to Manchester, so if at any point you are ready for lunch, just head to town.

Course Links

  • Complete Course details on Strava
CHISELVILLE BRIDGE RIDE map

Chiselville Bridge Ride

Stats

  • Distance – ~23.25 miles
  • Start Elevation – ~763 ft
  • Max Elevation – ~994 ft
  • ~1,446ft of climbing

Climbs

  • Three Category 5 climbs

Ride Description

The Chiselville Bridge Ride in our most popular ride from casual riders renting a bike to the day to our Thursday Night Road Ride group. The ride will take you through the Chiselville Covered Bridge East Arlington along the beautiful Sunderland Hill Road and River Road. The ride finishes by taking you past the Historic Equinox Hotel.

Course Links

CHISELVILLE BRIDGE RIDE map

Humphrey’s Mountain Bike Trail

Stats

  • Distance – ~1.7 miles
  • Start Elevation – ~985 ft
  • Max Elevation – ~1,335 ft
  • ~415 ft of climbing

Climbs

  • Average Grade 5%; Maximum Grade 20%

Ride Description

The Humphrey’s Mountain Bike Trail is located at the west end of Church Street at the intersection of the Dorset West Road. The trail was built by Northshire Trail Systems, who continue to maintain and build more single track mountain bike trails in our area. Park at the Dorset Green on Church Street just off of Rt. 30 in Dorset Vt. Grab something to eat and drink at the Dorset Union Store – Sorry no bathroom here – then head west along Church Street for 3/10th of a mile to the intersection of the Dorset West Road. Go left (south) for about 150′ and look right and see our trail head. The Dorset Trails include two trails – the entry trail Humphreys, which winds up the hill about 2.5 miles and then branches off onto the Bunker loop, which adds another 7/10th of a mile, and reconnects to to Humphreys trail. After a ride be sure to visit the Dorset Inn, Dorset Rising Bakery, H.N. Williams Store or Barrows House, for great food and beer.

Course Links

Humphrey's Mountain Bike Trail map

Group Ride Difficulty Scale Key

Road Rides

A – Very Demanding

Fast Paced on difficult terrain. Distance 30-50 miles. Pace lines may form. For riders with experience, in top condition and looking for an emphasis on conditioning. Ride leader could be anywhere in the group. If you have any doubts, try a B+ ride first.

  • Average Riding Speed – About 17-20 mph
  • Rest Stops – At leader’s discretion
  • Repairs – rider’s responsibility
  • No Drops Policy – Will Drop

B+ – Strenuous

Same as A, but slightly slower.

  • Average Riding Speed – About 16 mph
  • Rest Stops – At leader’s discretion
  • Repairs – rider’s responsibility
  • No Drops Policy – Regroup at major hills and intersections. No Sweep.

B – Quick

– Emphasis on riding, but more social. Terrain may be difficult. Distance 20-50 miles. Riders should have experience in group rides and be an intermediate bike handler.

  • Average Riding Speed – About 14 mph
  • Rest Stops – At leader’s discretion
  • Repairs – leader helps
  • No Drops Policy – Regroup at major hills and intersections. No Sweep.

C+ – Restrained

More chit-chat. Riders will have solo riding experience but may be new to group riding. Terrain and speed more moderate. Distance 15-25 miles. Ride leader may give advice to those not accustomed to riding in groups.

  • Average Riding Speed – About 12 mph
  • Rest Stops – Every 10-15 miles
  • Repairs – leader helps
  • No Drops Policy – No one gets dropped. Ride leader sweeps.

C – Casual

Relaxed cruise. Ideal for a beginner. Distance 10-15 miles. Terrain as flat as possible (not an easy feat in Ridgefield!). Pace is slow, ride leader helpful in guiding new riders and giving pointers.

  • Average Riding Speed – About 10 mph
  • Rest Stops – Every 5-10 miles
  • Repairs – leader helps
  • No Drops Policy – No one gets dropped. Ride leader sweeps.

Mountain Bike Rides

A – Advanced

Fast paced on mostly difficult singletrack. Distance 10-20 miles. For riders with experience, in top condition and looking for an emphasis on conditioning. Race-like pace. Manmade or natural trail obstacles will likely be encountered, but can be ridden around. Ride leader could be anywhere in the group. If you have any doubts, try a B+ ride first.

  • Average Riding Speed – At leader’s discretion
  • Repairs – rider’s responsibility
  • No Drops Policy – At leader’s discretion. Riders may get dropped. Leader assumes all riders can and will safely find their way back to trailhead.

B+ – Advanced Intermediate

Same as A, but slightly slower, and with more stops. Terrain includes technical singletrack with obstacles that may be avoided, although excellent bike handling skills are recommended in order to keep up with the group.

  • Brief
  • Rest Stops – Every 2-4 miles
  • Repairs – rider’s responsibility
  • No Drops Policy – Group will periodically wait to regroup when riders are dropped. If you find you’re in over your head, leader may give you directions back to trailhead at pace you can safely sustain.

B – Intermediate

Emphasis on riding, but more social. Terrain a mix of technical singletrack and fireroads. Distance 7-10 miles. Riders should have experience on the trail and be an intermediate bike handler. Technical obstacles present, but can be avoided.

  • Rest Stops – Longer stops – Every 1-2 miles
  • Repairs – leader helps
  • No Drops Policy – No one gets dropped. Ride leader makes sure all riders follow route.

C+ – Novice

Less technical singletrack and fireroad. Riders should have some experience riding offroad. Terrain and speed more moderate. Distance 5-7 miles. Ride leader may give advice to those not accustomed to riding technical aspects of trail.

  • Rest Stops – Longer stops
  • Rest Stops – Every 0.5-1 miles (or as needed)
  • Repairs – leader helps
  • No Drops Policy – No one gets dropped. Ride leader makes sure all riders follow route.

C – Beginner

Mostly fireroad, with some short, mellow stretches of singletrack. Distance 3-5. Ideal for a beginner. Pace is slow, ride leader helpful in guiding new riders and giving pointers on mtb fundamentals.

  • Rest Stops – Frequent and long enough for all riders to continue safely
  • Repairs – leader helps
  • No Drops Policy – No one gets dropped. Ride leader makes sure all riders follow route

FR/DH/Freeride/Gravity

Slow climbing pace, but fast and aggressive when going downhill. Terrain will include drops, jumps, rollers and other manmade or natural obstacles. Frequent stops and multiple on technical terrain. May take place at lift-accessed resort or bike park. Full suspension bike with 6+’’ of rear travel rec’d

  • Rest Stops – As needed
  • Repairs – Rider’s responsibility
  • No Drops Policy – No one gets dropped since ride is not pace based
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