Here in VT · Our Giving · Run & Athletic ·Jul 15, 2022

To Dig Is to Ride: Trail Night with Bicycle Express Racing & WATA VT

by Brandon Sauer

Volunteers working on fixing a mountain bike trail in Vermont — Photo courtesy of Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

Mountain Biking in Vermont

In my opinion, the best biking on the East Coast is in Vermont. The best biking in Vermont is at Perry Hill.

With pulpy fan favorites such as Joe’s, Six Flags, Small Axe, and Disneyland, Perry Hill has trails that will tickle the appetite of any advanced rider as well as more progression minded trails such as Campfire and S'mores.

Volunteers meeting up to begin the trail day — Photo courtesy of Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

These trails would not be possible without the support of the volunteer run organization, Waterbury Area Trail Alliance (WATA). Their mission is to build and maintain recreational trails for a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future.

What's a Trail Night?

On June 28th, Bicycle Express Racing, WATA VT, and Darn Tough banded together to remediate an eroded climbing trail that took riders to the progression focused trails of S'mores and Campfire.

The eroded mountain bike trail — Photo courtesy of Zachary Levy

Armed with shovels, buckets, mcleods, and some hammers, 30 volunteers widened and graded Campfire Climb to make it more approachable for the beginner to intermediate riders. This regrade of the trail will also help the winter groomer get around a little easier.

Volunteers digging up dirt for the trail work — Photo courtesy of Zachary Levy

After an honest effort of breaking rocks, moving dirt, and digging trenches we felt our mission was complete, and we headed back down the hill to finish out the evening with pizza and refreshments. Shout out VT Beer Shepard!

Man dumping dirt out of a bucket onto the trail — Photo courtesy of Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

Those of us at Darn Tough that work in Waterbury are lucky to be only 5 minutes from Perry. We are grateful to have the opportunity to support WATA in continuing to build and maintain recreational trails for a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future.

Woman wearing Darn Tough hat and using a tool to shape the trail — Photo courtesy of Zachary Levy

Looking to Support Mountain Biking in Vermont?

Beyond attending a trail night and getting your hands dirty there is another great way to support mountain biking in Vermont. The Vermont Mountain Biking Association (VMBA), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a unified voice for mountain biking in Vermont.

Close up of person grading the bike trail — Photo courtesy of Zachary Levy

They are comprised of 28 chapters across Vermont. Their mission is to ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont and thoughtfully promote exceptional riding experiences for all through advocacy, education, and community driven stewardship.

Worker kneeling on ground laying out rocks — Photo courtesy of Zachary Levy

Since 2012 they have help build over 200+ miles of trails and help actively maintain over 1400+ miles.

Mountain biker coming up the trail — Photo courtesy of Jeb Wallce-Brodeur

About the Author

Brandon Sauer is a Digital Project Producer at Darn Tough who enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, and trail running. In his free time you can find him skinning up the Nose Dive Headwall in the winter or throwing his body down the trails at Perry Hill on his mountain bike (with his favorite mountain bike socks).

Photos courtesy of Zachary Levy and Jeb Wallace-Brodeur.