We have Routes, Challenges, and Events published using Trek’s amazing Ride Club app. Below is a more detailed list of the routes we’ve published on the app. We hope this helps you find new and exciting places to ride in our part of the world. You don’t need the Ride Club app to view the routes online.
You can head straight to the app to find where we’ve created over 30 routes (and counting). Or you can navigate below. We’re still in the process of adding more routes to the app and this page. If you see a route on the app you have questions about, feel free to reach out to us at
info@vermontbicycleshop.com
We’ve created a curated selection of those routes here and organized them by ride type and ride difficulty. There are routes for non-cyclists and experienced cyclists alike.
Route descriptions are meant to help folks determine the difficulty of a route.
Routes are split into 4 terrain types, Gravel, Class 4, Mountain Bike Single Track, and Paved and/or Bike Path.
Each terrain type will have profile to help determine the difficulty of the ride.
Want to find a flat gravel ride? Hit the *Gravel* tab and then under the *Gravel* tab hit the *Flat Rides* tab and you’ll be given a list of flat gravel rides. Want to stay on tame gravel roads yet you want a little more challenge? Hit the *Gravel* tab and then hit the *Medium Climbs* or the *Hard Climbs* tabs.
Check out our definitions about road surfaces and ride profiles below.
*Note: Some routes still link to our Strava site. Currently Strava is not needed to view the route.
Kelsey’s Red Hen Ride, 12 miles. The most popular route in our in-season beginner friendly gravel group ride. There is public parking at the Montpelier High School (where we meet when we ride here) on the weekends, otherwise trail parking is available behind the Department of Labor.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Groton Rail Bed Out and Back, Groton, VT. Up to 17 miles. A flat ride through Groton State Forest. If you make it all the way out, you will treated to an amazing view of the Marshfield Cliffs.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Berlin Pond Loops, Berlin, VT, 9 Miles, 1 climb – This loop starts off flat, then turn up to a 300 foot climb where you will undulate before descending back down. It’s only 8 miles, it’s totally worth repeating.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Red Hen the Easy Way, Barre, Middlesex, VT, 30 Miles, 2 notable climbs. It’s a gentle climb out of Barre, then hook up with the Cross Vermont Trail bike path through Montpelier and out Junction Rd to Middlesex for some of the best bread in Vermont. Bernie sightings are common at Red Hen.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Hills of Danville, Danville, VT, 22 Miles, 2 notable climbs, other smaller climbs – By Vermont standards this isn’t a lot of climbing, there is one climb that is just over a mile long. It also leads to one of the most picturesque views in all of Vermont.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Mark’s Sunset Loop, Barre, VT – 16 Miles, two climbs that are 2 miles long. A couple of sustained climbs one paved, one gravel, and a great view of Barre from the top, it is one of the funnest descents there are.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Floating Bridge Brunch Ride, Brookfield, VT – 26 miles, 3 climbs. It’s one of Vermont’s wonders, start your ride at the Sunset Lake Floating Bridge meander over some gravel roads and pavement down to Randolph for a nice weekend brunch before slogging back up the paved road to enjoy the rolling pave Ridge Rd. back to your car.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Devil’s Washbowl, Northfield, VT – 24 Miles, only 1 climb is more than a mile long. Some pavement followed by tame class 4, ending with a super fun, paved descent.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Tour of East Montpelier, Barre, VT, 21 miles. Quiet paved back roads, hill top gravel road views, covered bridges, it’s a pretty sweet ride with some punchy climbs.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Steam Mill Brook Gravel, Danville, VT – 31 miles, 2 notable, sustained climbs. Ride the rail trail out of Danville before heading into the hills above Greensboro Bend and Walden VT. Some of the best views of Vermont back roads can be found on this ride.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Only Barre Roads in the Building, Barre, VT. 12 miles, two climbs both over 2 miles each. It’s hard to find a flat way out of Barre. It’s real easy to find a steep street or two. You get to see Barre from both peaks in town. It’s tougher than it looks, it’s also a reminder that Barre is amazing.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Upper Road All The Way Up, 30 Miles, lots of climbing. Pavement fades to gravel where you will roll above and below and between the farmlands of VT. Over the covered bridge and through the woods. Don’t keep grandma waiting.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Plainfield Railbed Out and Back – It might be the only flat class 4 ride in all of Vermont. There are sections that are challenging, yet easy to walk through. Amazing views all along the way, and slightly downhill all the way back to the car.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Devil’s Washbowl, Northfield, VT – 24 Miles, only 1 climb is more than a mile long. While this might be filed under Medium Climbs for our Gravel Rides, the climbs on this ride are easy by Class 4 rides standards.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Apple Hill Loop, North Calais, VT, 19 Miles, 3 notable uphills. This is the the part of Vermont where locals have come to ride gravel roads long before there was such a thing as “gravel”. Apple Hill is stunning.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Steam Brook Class 4, Danville, VT – 35 Miles, there is 1 sustained 5 mile climb, followed by a super fun and beautiful descent. WARNING: We haven’t ridden this ride since before the devastating floods of 2023. There may be changes to the class 4 roads and even the gravel roads here. RIDER BEWARE.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Red Hen the Hard Way, Barre and Middlesex, VT. 41 Miles, some good climbing. Some technical class 4. I can’t wait to get one of those amazing Jambon Beurre sandwiches.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Introduction to Vermont Elevation Theory, Barre, VT, 21 Miles, 2 significant, sustained climbs. The David Kelley Constant states that for every mile of a bike ride there will be at least 100 feet of elevation gain. This is a ride presented as evidence.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Lighthouse Hill, Barre, VT. 25 Miles, a few steep climbs on rough, uneven, loose dirt surfaces. At some point you will ride up and over a 5 mile piece of granite buried under the earth that reveals itself as you climb up and over Lighthouse hill.
Want to experience quintessential class 4 Vermont riding? This is a good start.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
C. C. Putnam Forest Bike Tour, Barre, Stowe, Waterbury, VT. 95 miles 7400 feet of elevation gain, pavement, gravel, class 4, tame single track. It’s all rideable with a gravel bike on 40mm tires, it might be a little more fun on 45mm tires. It’s great as an overnight bike packing trip, it’s amazing as a single day suffer-fest. This ride is for experienced cyclists.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
**WARNING** These rides will involve hike-a-bike and possibly some bushwhacking and possibly some rock scrambling. They’ll be in isolated areas of wilderness, and having someone who has wilderness safety training and a spot tracker is a good idea. PLEASE NOTE: In some parts of Vermont a Special Recreation Permit or day pass from designated agencies MAY BE REQUIRED for parts of the route. It is your responsibility to research road, trail, route conditions and the appropriate access permissions and uses before embarking.
GravelCAT Group Route, Barre, Northfield, VT, 33 Miles, 2 significant, sustained climbs, short bit of hike-a-bike.
Every June we put on our homage to Alley Cat bicycle events right here in Vermont called The GravelCAT. This route is always funner with a big group.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Grand Whack-A-Doo Epic. Starts in Barre, VT, 71 miles, 9 significant climbs. This routes has sections of challenging class 4, mountain bike single track, as well as some pavement and gravel roads. Share this route with a love one before embarking.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
The Red Store Loop, Groton State Forest, 33 Miles, Significant climbs. It’s actually not that whacky of a ride really. In fact, I’d say this is a good introduction to the idea, let’s say it’s Whack-A-Doo-Lite. Snack at the Red store are a blessing after all the hard parts of this ride are over and your left with a gentle rail bed ride back to the cars.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
**WARNING** Beginner mountain bike trails should be ridden in the company of an experienced mountain biker or someone with wilderness survival training. Riders should have proper equipment. Bicycles from big box stores, the internet, or from “outdoors” stores and bicycles that have not been serviced in the past year may not be up to the task. Mountain biking is a dangerous sport that could lead to injury or death, even on the easiest trail.
Millstone Beginner Kids Loop, Barre, VT, 2 miles.
There is a road crossing on this route. Be aware. As with every mountain bike ride, study the map until you have intimate knowledge of the route and can navigate the route without a map. Always bring a paper map and know how to navigate using a trail map.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Intermediate Kids Loop, Barre, VT. This short loop with 1 road crossing that provides views of almost every major peak in Vermont. A little longer loop for the return back to the parking lot. It’s a great way to gauge the next step when introducing kids to their first mountain bike ride.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
**WARNING** Beginner mountain bike trails should be ridden in the company of an experienced mountain biker or someone with wilderness survival training. Riders should have proper equipment. Bicycles from big box stores, the internet, or from “outdoors” stores and bicycles that have not been serviced in the past year may not be up to the task. Mountain biking is a dangerous sport that could lead to injury or death, even on the easiest trail.
Groton is a Magical Place, Groton State Forest, 12 miles. It’s longer than the usual mountain bike loop in Vermont. Riders often comment this ride feels like there is more downhill than up. This is a shared use trail with hikers and horses. Out of respect, Vermont Bicycle Club will always stop and wait for other trail users to pass.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Millstone Beginner’s Loop Short/Intermediate Kids Loop, Barre, VT, 2.25 miles. This short loop with 1 road crossing provides views of almost every major peak in Vermont. All while keeping the uphills to a minimum and the single track fairly tame.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Millstone Beginner’s Loop Long, Barre, VT, 4.4 miles. This loop with 1 road crossing provides views of almost every major peak in Vermont, and at a distance that showcases some of the funnest riding at Millstone.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Groton is a Magical Place, Groton State Forest, 12 miles. It’s longer than the usual mountain bike loop in Vermont. Riders often comment this ride feels like there is more downhill than up. This is a shared use trail with hikers and horses. Out of respect, Vermont Bicycle Club will always stop and wait for other trail users to pass.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Millstone Trails Intermediate Loop, Barre, VT, 6 miles.
A fun mix of trails with views and fun single track with a little bit of challenge. All the trails are hand-built and they are a mountain bike dream, it’s hard to believe this trail is almost entirely within the Barre Town Forest.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Lamoille Valley Rail Trail East, the Smart Way, St. Johnsbury, VT. You’ll be going uphill a little bit out of St. Johnsbury. It’s an easy uphill. About 1/2 a mile the grade becomes so gradual you hardly notice. The ride home is fast and smooth, you’ll feel like you’re riding an ebike all the way back to St. J
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Barre to Montpelier Bike Commute, Barre, VT, It’s a flat 6.5 mile ride for folks who bicycle commute between Barre and Montpelier, there are bike lanes, and there can be a bit of traffic, you can stop at one of the longest running restaurants in New England, the historic Wayside, along the way!
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Williamstown Out and Back, Williamstown, VT, A 23 mile ride from the lovely town of Williamstown on` South Hwy 14. Not much of a shoulder, there’s hardly any traffic on the weekends.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
Groton Rail Bed Out and Back, Groton, VT. Up to 17 miles. A flat ride through Groton State Forest. If you make it all the way out, you will treated to an amazing view of the Marshfield Cliffs.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
The Pizza Ride, 4 Miles, there is 1 super short, steep uphill on this route. We ain’t afraid to walk up it. This is the route we take for our monthly Pizza Ride (April through October). It’s a short and wonderful tour of Barre. Join us for some bicycle fun and some Pizza after.
Ride Club Link to the Route and Map
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Cobble Hills Loop | A pleasant climb out of Barre towards the hills above, visiting the bike paths of Barre Town before cautiously descending back to Barre City. NOTE!! First climb is a little over 2 miles. | Strava link with map and gps file |
| East Corinth Loop | A barely noticeable slightly uphill that gains 600 feet over 7 miles makes for a great start to this ride. This ride is half gravel half paved. A healthy mix of gravel and pavement and a little bit of gentle class 4 makes for a lovely intermediate length ride for folks who aren’t so sure they’re ready. Your ready. Go for it. | Strava link with map and gps file |
| Ride | Description | Link |
| Brookfield Floating Bridge Brunch Ride | This would be a pretty mellow bike ride aside from a couple of the climbs. A great option for beginners who are looking to mix in some hills and have an amazing brunch half way through. | Strava link with map and gps file |
| Smuggler’s Notch the Easy Way. | One of the most beautiful climbs in Central Vermont. For someone looking for a real climb and a bit of distance without breaking yourself in the process. | Strava link with map and gps file |
Ride Definitions Table:
Climb – A climb is going uphill on a bicycle for any significant distance. Any time you noticeably go up a hill for a distance of 1/2 a mile or more will be called a climb on our site.
Flat Rides – In Vermont, there are no truly flat rides, our “flat rides” will have elevation gain that is barely noticeable, or there might be a hill so short you could almost throw your bike up it. For us flat means that this ride is enjoyable for non-cyclists and new cyclists. Flat rides are a great way to introduce someone new to cycling.
Easy Climbs – Easy climbs means that there usually won’t be any climbs longer than a mile. Sometimes they will be slightly longer than a mile, and at the same time, they won’t be very steep. Still a great way to introduce someone new to cycling, and to give them some training to get ready for those Medium Climb rides.
Medium Climbs – Medium climbs may be very short steep climbs, or there may be a climb that isn’t very steep, yet may be a distance of 2 to 2.5 miles. It is a good idea to have done a few Easy Climb rides before trying one of these routes.
Hard Climbs – If you are interested in Hard Climbs you are ready for a challenge. Rides interested in Hard Climbs should know how to read a ride profile and have a general working knowledge of elevation gain descriptions. Take a look at the ride profile and total elevation gain to see if this ride is right for you.
Paved Any paved surface that is not a bike path, streets, lanes, etc. There are no limitations to tire width when riding paved roads.
Bike Path Paved or smooth gravel bicycle path, not a sidewalk, not a bike lane. Paved bike paths are the same as other paved surfaces, no tire limitations. Some smooth gravel paths may be easier to ride with 32mm or 1.4 inch or wider tires.
Singletrack Bicycle friendly corridor that is smoothish unpaved yet not a designated or maintained bike path. There may be rocks, roots, and uneven or loose dirt surfaces. For riders with a high skill set and experience, a knobby tire at least 1.5″ wide might work. Better yet, a knobby tire at least 2″ wide is the best way to go.
Gravel unpaved, maintained road surface, might be less smooth, at times may the road may narrow to single lane or 1 ½ lanes of travel, the road is commonly maintained and travelled by all sorts of road users. We will sometimes designate Tame Gravel in our ride descriptions. Tame gravel is very smooth and easy to ride, this is a commonly maintained and traveled gravel road that is wide enough to have 2 lanes of travel. Will still require at least 35mm or 1.4 inch wide tires.
Class 4 Unmaintained public right of way, some singletrack, rough and uneven and loose/slippery surfaces, may have minimal hike-a-bike, not beginner friendly riding. Will be in isolated areas of wilderness. A tire of at least 40mm wide is needed. If you aren’t familiar with a 40mm tire width, this may not be the road surface for you.
Challenging Class 4 Unmaintained public right of way, unverified terrain or road surface, will have some hike-a-bike, no bushwhacking, may have creek crossings and will be muddy and messy. Will be in isolated areas of wilderness. These routes are for experienced and highly skilled cyclists who know how to, and often pick and change tire widths for terrain and surface.
Single Track MTB Designated and maintained mountain bike trail system. Will have rocks, roots, or other obstacles on the trail. Will be in isolated areas of wilderness. A tire of at least 2.25 inches wide is what you want here.
Winter Trail A groomed or ungroomed trail surface that is only passable when the ground is frozen or there is snow. Tires at least 4″ to 4.5″ minimum width are often required depending on trail rules. Familiarize yourself with these rules before you go.
Whack-A-Doo Expert level class 4 or Single Track Mountain Bike. Will involve hike-a-bike and possibly some bushwhacking and possibly some rock scrambling. Will be in isolated areas of wilderness, and having someone who has wilderness safety training and a spot tracker is a good idea. In some parts of Vermont a Special Recreation Permit or day pass from designated agencies may be required for parts of the route. It is your responsibility to research appropriate access permissions and uses before embarking.