Fall Classic 205k & 112k – Sept 28th, 2019

Start Location: Old Stone House Museum (109 Old Stone House Rd, Brownington, VT 05860)
See parking info below
Start Times:
– 205k: 06:30; please arrive by 06:00 for check in.
– 112k: 08:00; please arrive by 07:30 for check in. (Note updated start time.)
Ride Leader: Daniel Jackson
Lights & Reflective Gear: Required for 205k riders and suggested for 112k riders. Sunset is at 6:30pm.
Distance:
– Populaire: 112km / 70 mi
– Brevet: 205km / 127 mi
Climbing:
– 207: ~11,700 feet
– 110k: ~6,000 feet
Time Limits:
– 205k: Finish by 8:18pm (13 hour 48 minute time limit)
– 112k: Finish by 5:30pm (8 hour time limit)
Sanctioning: RUSA Only (Both distances)
Cue Sheet & GPS:
– 207k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31033447
– 112k: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30910927
Registration: Register via BikeReg

RBA Notes: The Fall Classic is always NER’s most adventurous brevet. For many people, it’s their favorite brevet too. Ride Leader Daniel has once again delivered a fantastic northern Vermont route on mostly unpaved roads. This is not a mountain biking event but it’s not an easy-to-ride route either. This is an advanced brevet suitable only for cyclists who understand the challenges of riding in remote parts of Vermont, on unmaintained roads/trails, over steep hills, in areas with no cell phone coverage, and with few services. For riders on the 200k, many will finish after sundown. Please keep all of this in mind before registering and attempting the route.

Ride Leader Note:
The Old Stone House 200k and 100k are new mixed terrain routes in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom with a start and finish at the Old Stone House Museum in Brownington, VT. They are 95% dirt and love to climb. For some, the terrain featured may be unacceptable; a lot of dirt, unmaintained roads and singletrack make for a gross perversion of the past decade’s rando norms. The routes, particularly the 200k, are an invitation to revel in the curated reveal of the NEK’s best kept stashes. Come party up North and embrace the real possibility of a DNF.

Riders will encounter significant sections of ruts, mud, boulders, soft sand, gravel, steep descents/ascents & downed trees. Conditions may change along these roads within a very short distance – be prepared for variable conditions. Featured singletrack on the 200k is relatively buffed out and tame, but it is still singletrack. The 100k does not have any singletrack but does have some burly Class IV

Wide tires will prove helpful. I (Daniel) can’t heartily recommend anything less than a 42mm tire, though many ride 700c x 38mm with aplomb around here. A little tread might be nice, too. Bring a sense of adventure and a full toolkit – you’re likely to love these quiet, scenic stretches as they pass through remote areas of Northeast Vermont.

Self-reliance is critical. These rides are virtually unsupported. The easternmost miles of the 200k between Burke and Charleston are remote with little to no services and poor cellular reception. I (Daniel) will be on course through the day aiding riders as needed where I can and helping to ensure all return safely.

The ride leader will be on location at 5:45 AM to greet arriving riders and begin check in. Arrive no later than 6:15AM for the 200k (or camp at the start location the night before) for check in if you want to start on time. A portable outhouse, water, and shelter will be available at the start and finish.

A post ride celebration will be held from approximately 4-8PM at the finish location. Food and drink will be provided.

Parking is in a field at the farm.

Where to Stay:
If you’ll be coming up north the night before, feel free to pitch a tent on the beautiful fields of the Old Stone House Museum. Weather dependent, the ride leader will be spending the night out there as well. Camping is primitive with a port-o-pottie and potable water only.

If you want to sleep in a bed with four walls around it, BnBs abound just south of Brownington all around Lake Willoughby. Accomodations can also be found slightly farther afield at Jay Peak Resort, and in the towns of Newport, Burke or farther south on the I-91 corridor.

Photos from previous Fall Classic routes

The excellent start/finish. Great crew at Jay Cloud. It’s a neat shop — combination classic soda shop coupled with a well stocked bike store. Super friendly people. Photo by Phil S.
Classic Vermont Class IV Roads on both distances. Nothing looks like this for too long but riders should come prepared. Rider featured is the excellent route designer Daniel J.
Tsun A. takes a break on one of the rougher sections of the 120km. Photo by Jan D.
October in Northern Vermont is perfect riding with a good sweater. Photo by Phil S.
This short section of bike path is about the only flat section. Nice 5 mile break. Photo by Phil S.
Metallic friends on the route. Photo by Phil S.
Gorgeous Fall Colors. Photo by Phil S.
Nice Dirt, Long Climb! Photo by Phil S.
Nice climb equals nice descent. Photo by Phil S.
Class 4 roads in Vermont are public but unmaintained and often impassable without a larger vehicle or bike. These signs warn drivers not to follow their GPS or risk getting stuck. But for riders, it’s a very welcomed sign. Photo by Phil S.
Scenic vistas on both distances. Photo by Phil S.
It’s the only covered bridge on Covered Bridge Road! Photo by Phil S.
NER’s RBA in the distance. Photo by Phil S.

Photos from 2017 Fall Classic routes

Matt Roy’s Photo Album from the 2016 200k
Sara Hoston’s Photo Album from the 2016 100k

Photo by Sara Huston who adds "If you've got to fix a flat, this [Devil's Washboard] is a fine place to do it. "
Photo by Sara Huston who adds “If you’ve got to fix a flat, this [Devil’s Washboard] is a fine place to do it. “
Photo by Sara Huston
Photo by Sara Huston
Photo by Sara Huston
Photo by Sara Huston