The Vermont Rare Gravel Ride

Help support Vermont Rare and join us on October 4, 2025, to enjoy grassroots gravel at its finest.

 
 
 
 
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Purpose and Passion

I started this endeavor eleven years ago as a passionate cyclist with a cause: building community and advocating for families living with rare disease. Walking the rare disease journey, I am dedicated to educating myself and others about childhood rare disease.

 I am not a charity but work directly with Vermont Rare, Rasopathies Network, and CFC International among others to educate people on rare disease and find anyway I can to improve the lives of families and kids living with rare disease. 

If you too are passionate about something, whether it’s enjoying strong community and friends, doing things with a purpose, or riding epic Vermont gravel, The Vermont Rare Gravel Ride is a perfect fit!

-Jack Bailey, event organizer, father, husband, friend

 
Have you ever been on a ride when the vibe and flow is just right? That was the feeling of the RAS Adventure Ride. With a great mix of classic Vermont dirt roads, limited amounts of tarmac and many challenging miles of off-road segments, you have all the elements of a classic dirt road event in the making. I hear that there will be even more off-road sections next year, so it’s only going to get better! Be sure to mark this event on your calendar for next year – you won’t want to miss it.
— 2015 Participant Testimonial
 

Shop Ungrounded Coffee Roasters and help support Vermont Rare.

Use coupon code RASRIDE for an extra 10% off at checkout.

 
 
 

A rare adventure you Don’t want to miss.

A Vermont grassroots gravel adventure on Vermont’s best gravel.

 
 
 
 
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Think It Takes Grit to Finish This Ride?

What people living with rare disease can teach you about true grit.

 Watch this inspiring video from 2019’s adventure and learn how you can support this incredibly important cause while doing what you love…riding epic Vermont gravel!

Be safe, be well, and be grateful.
— Jack Bailey
 
Of all the events I took part in 2019, I enjoyed yours the most. It was why I immediately signed up for the race the following year. I have since moved to California and will be unable to attend. Please keep my entry fee and allow someone else to enter in my name. Your cause is worth it.
— 2019 Participant

 The Details

 
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Saturday, October 4, 2025, Peru, VT

Grassroots gravel at its finest

  • Gravel Roads, Fall Foilage, Fine Folks, Outstanding Class IV!

  • Use your GPS - no signage

  • Start/Finish and post-ride festivities at Wild Wings XC Ski Center

What to Expect

  • This is not a Race, Settle in at your Pace, Some will smash the pedals and That's OK, 

  • Seasonal Lunch, Beverages, and YEs Music is back!

  • Several Feeds as long as we don't have to keep things Distance

  • Maybe A bit more Challenging than You Think?

What’s Included

  • Ride entry; Seasonal Lunch; This year a Mexican feast, Ice cold beverage.

  • 1 “Self Serve” Aid Station stocked with gels, syrup shots, savory treats, and more.

  • A day riding epic gravel in Southern Vermont while supporting an important cause.

Ride Highlights. *some roads the same, some not so much!

  • A new pavé sector 1 early on takes you to Uphill road, then to FR 10 to FR 279. Popping out on Jaquith Road at the top of Landgrove you make a left onto Landgrove Road. A right onto Holden Hill brings you down the Johnson Hill decent to Rt. 100 North. After passing Lowell Lake at mile 14, Marsh Cross Road, make sure you take in the scenery and view the trifecta of the local mountains: Magic, Stratton, and Bromley!

  • The slightest bit of pavement on Route 100 North through Historic Weston comes just in time for you to catch your breath for the 2.7-mile rolling climb of Jenny Coolidge. Enjoy the fast descent down Moses Pond Road as sector 3, Holt Mountain Road, is next!

  • A left on Jaquith Road at the top of Holt Mountain brings you back out to Landgrove Road where you make right, then a quick left onto Cody road. A steep decent into North Landgrove, make a right onto Ridge road. At the bottom of Ridge make a sharp right on to Brook Road, Section 4, this year running this section backwards will dump you out on Anderson.

  • A quick left, right at the top of Anderson brings you to Stone Place, and Preist Lane for the last 3 miles of Class IV.

  • There are a few short sections that some riders may want to dismount and walk or jog, and that’s okay! Go at your own pace; the challenge is as important as the journey!  

  • We will be adhering to the Vermont State Covid guidelines as required. Please mask if you are not vaccinated and keep your 6 feet of distance.   

Equipment recommendations

This ride is calling for cross, gravel, flat bar mountain, or the like. We highly discourage any road bikes!  40 cc and above tire choice will serve you well.  There is no "hike-a-bike" ALL totally ridable Class IV.

Water AND Food

There will be 2 refueling/ feed stations; one at 14 miles (top of Marsh Cross and Dale Road) and 28 miles at the top of Holt Mtn Class IV. Stations will be stocked with GU gels, GU hydration, bananas, pickles, syrup shots, and more. We do recommend you carry plenty of water and your own nutrition as well.  

Race day parking

There is plenty of plenty of parking at Wild Wings Nordic Center.  Follow Hapgood Road east out of Peru Center. At the town garage, bear left onto North Road.  Follow North Road approximately 2 miles, bear left at the fork, 500 meters to Wild Wings XC.  

 
Really fun race with a nice mix of road, gravel, tough climbs in the forest, technical muddy sections and beautiful scenery. Extremely gentle people and nice ambiance at the finish line. I recommend 100%.
— JP Michaud 2019
 
 
 

 The route

 

StravA version here. VRG 2024

 
 

Ride with GPS RGPS Preview 2024

 

Volunteer

 

Not a gravel cyclist but still want to help? Great!

Putting on a Vermont gravel event is no small task, and we would love for you to join our rare community, whether you’re a rider or not!

Vermont Rare appreciates your help, and so do the riders!

There is nothing like a friendly, encouraging face, either along the route or at the start/finish, to boost a rider’s morale while they’re suffering!

You will be sure to hear the echos of many “thank yous” from the participants.

Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!

Please complete the form below