Come Explore Vermont’s Green Mountains at the Vermont Gran Fondo

Summer is a great time to be a cyclist with all the scheduled rides happening locally, regionally, and internationally. Chances are this may be the case for you. Not only can you participate in various event rides, but you can probably hook up with a gran fondo ride close to where you are.

If you’re in Vermont (or have never been to the state or seen the Green Mountains by bike), the Vermont Gran Fondo might be a good event to mark off those two things, but keep in mind it’s very challenging. It is renowned for crossing 4 gaps referred to by locals as “The Lamb.”

All About the Vermont Gran Fondo

The Vermont Gran Fondo (VTGF) was started by a group of local cyclists. They wanted to create a ride that covered four major gaps in the green mountains. They are Lincoln Gap, Appalachian Gap, Middlebury Gap, and Brandon Gap and are referred to by the acronym “The Lamb.”

There are, however, seven gaps altogether, so the ride may include or exclude those areas from year to year. No matter how you look at the topography of this ride, it is a hard ride and not for the faint of heart.

And to add insult to injury, for 2024, a new course called the Gran-X has been added. It encompasses 13,700 feet of climbing over 145 miles and traverses 6 of the 7 gaps. It is a special add-on for the 10th anniversary of the event.

But you can still opt for the Gran (109 Miles), the Medio (80 miles), or the Piccolo (40 miles). And if you have a fascination with riding gravel or dirt roads, 10% to 20% of each course has hard-packed dirt roads.

According again to the event website, the VTGF “organizing committee is made up of cycling enthusiasts and athletically-inclined tourism and business development representatives. Event proceeds [are] distributed via grants to municipalities and non-profit organizations with the purpose of enhancing bicycling in Addison County…”

Ride One of The Steepest Climbs in the World

The VTGF event has gained notoriety for containing one of the steepest climbs in the world, Lincoln Gap, according to Bicycling Magazine. Its maximum grade tops out at 24% and its average grade is 15%.

The other gaps in the event are just as steep if not steeper. According to the event website, “Appalachian Gap, Roxbury Gap, Rochester Gap, and Middlebury Gap all include sections with impressive grades… topping 15%; Appalachian(26%), Roxbury(16%), Rochester(17%), Brandon(18%), Moretown(17.6%), and Middlebury(27.8%).”

So, it goes without saying that your fitness needs to be in prime form to successfully complete this event. Even the Medio and Piccolo rides contain a good amount of climbing. Although the Piccolo crosses over no mountain gaps, it still contains 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) of climbing.

Registration and Cost for the Vermont Gran Fondo

The VTGF is part of the Gran Suarez Gran Fondo National Series. These events are usually very popular among locals and other cyclists nationally and internationally. It takes place June 29, 2024 and registration is open until June 27th.

The first four years of this event saw over 1,000 cyclists participate. For that reason, registration is limited to 850 riders. The cost for the event is typical for events in this national series.

• Gran -X is $260 to register. The event website states that proof of fitness must be supplied.
• The Gran route is 109 miles and $190 to register.
• The Medio route is 80 miles and is $170 to register. Riders will still climb two of the four gaps.
• The Piccolo is 40 miles and is $85 to register and includes no gaps.

The event website doesn’t mention day of ride registration nor if riders who register early receive any swag, such as an event jersey. Participants can buy an event t-shirt for $25.

Last Thoughts

If you’re looking for an event ride that will test your mettle, then the VTGF is it. It sounds like a challenging ride with lots of climbing. Plus, you get to bask in the beauty of Vermont’s green mountains.

This event proves you don’t have to go as far as Europe or somewhere else internationally to take on an epic ride and event. It might even be right outside your front door. So, if your fitness is in top form, register for this “big ride,” as the Italians call it, today. I don’t think you’ll regret it.