Millstone of Fire

They are extremely intelligent. Highly evolved. And they like sharing the planet. WIth you. They like sharing the Millstone with you. Bike riding, they want to, lookit: do you want to go for a bike ride or not?

It’s getting dark pretty early so from here on out lights are required. For anyone that doesn’t have a light, Vermont Bicycle Shop is offering 10% off lights for folks who have done one of our rides or plan to do the next one. If you’ve filled out the rider waiver for this year then you are all set, just tell them Bridget and Kelsey sent you.

Thursday, October 24. Begin gathering at 5:00 to 5:15 and be ready to roll at 5:30!
Meet at 44 Brook St. Websterville
Helmets are required.
A front light that is bright enough (350 lumens or more) to see in the dark that is securely attached to your helmet or handlebar is required.
If you have not yet done so this year, filling out our rider waiver form ahead of time is required as well. You can do it all online.
Click here.

Bridget hosts an amazing ride on some really cool and beginner friendly trails at Millstone Trails.
She’ll start off with a super easy warm up ride to the Grand Lookout where you will see amazing views of Central Vermont, amazing granite carvings and sculptures, and learn the value of starting off light and warming up for the ride. She will follow that up by heading into the single track of the Barre Town Forest section of Millstone Trails where riders will learn some handling confidence and skills while riding around quarries from hundreds of years ago.

For beginner riders the required equipment is:

  • Lights, bring bicycle lights bright enough to see in the woods with, typically you will want at least 450 lumens, 650 lumens or more is better.
  • A recently serviced mountain bike that came from a bicycle shop or a reputable mountain bike manufacturer (a bicycle from a big box store will fall apart at Millstone Trails)
  • The bicycle should have front suspension and disc brakes and be in excellent working order, recently serviced means serviced within the past year and has been found to be reliable in use for the past year. Things that seem like small problems might turn into big problems in adverse environments. You will be riding on challenging terrain.
  • A helmet.
  • Bicycle gloves.
  • Hydration back pack, hip pack, or water bottle and cage. Some way to safely and securely carry water with you.
  • A helmet.
  • Equipment to fix a bicycle flat. This usually includes tire levers, a tube, some kind of travel inflation device (we like mini-pumps/frame pumps), and any tools needed to remove your wheel.
  • Clothing that is comfortable yet not too baggy. Bicycle shorts with padding and a bicycle jersey are best. Sporting goods “tech-tee” shirts are a primitive version of bicycle jerseys that work great for first time riders. Shorts with very little seams are also great (like a slim fitting basketball short).
  • A helmet.
  • A patient presence. All experience levels will be on this ride; a slow pace, regrouping often, re-riding fun or interesting sections of trail, and generally encouraging everyone is a part of this experience.

A quick note: Our rides are intended to create a safe space to experience womanhood in mountain biking and are open to anyone of any gender who shares that interest in creating that safe space. Is it a women’s only ride? No. It is a womanhood centered experience complete with no mansplaining how to do a wheelie, no manhelping to get bikes out of cars, and no manfits when we decide to ride over the same section of trail 6 or 7 times to help us learn at our own pace, comfort level, and confidence.