2022 Leaf Blower Fall Classic

311 Mountain Road,Stowe VT 05672

08 October, 2022

Description

MTBVT, in collaboration with Stowe Trails Partnership & Ranch Camp, is stoked to present Vermont's favorite autumn mountain bike tradition: the 11th annual Leaf Blower Fall Classic Mountain Bike Festival. This year's Leaf Blower is going down on Saturday, October 8th and will be hosted at Ranch Camp on Mountain Road. With group rides for all abilities and levels, awesome vendors, homegrown food, local libations, and live music, there is simply no better way to cap off the season than with this one-day community bike bash. As always, the marquee event will be the all-abilities group rides that tackle some of the northeast's best terrain and afford some of Vermont's epic views—whether you're an endurance-guru or a newbie-never-pedaled-before, we have a ride for you (Ride Matrix and Category Descriptions will be coming soon). Everything from family-friendly kid-specific rides, to all-day endurance rides, skill clinics, party rides, and all-about-fun social rides, the Leaf Blower has something for everyone! New and improved this year, MTBVT will be hosting a must-attend remote party station complete with food and drink, tunes, a photo booth, circus animals, free tickets to the Oprah show and a chance to win a NEW CAR!!! OMG!!!! Wheeeeew! We got a bit carried away there. OK, only some of that is true (food, drink, tunes) but we guarantee the amazing remote party part! And after you've gotten your share of single track and remote party vibes, adjourn back to Ranch Camp HQ for a catered cookout, a few local brews, music, and the requisite telling of tall tales around the campfire. Your registration covers the rides, vendor garden, snacks, cookout, a bag o' MTBVT goodies, and entry to the after party! Register early because we expect the event to sell out. Plus you'll save some bucks and we'll sleep better knowing you're coming. And you can feel better about biking all-day at the Leaf Blower because this is a Stowe Trails Partnership fundraiser with proceeds from this event going back to building and maintaining Stowe’s trails. Win win! Early Bird pricing is open! So register early, rest your legs, and get ready for the best day of the year in support of our trails! For updates and event info stay tuned to the MTBVT and STP Facebook and instagram propaganda machines. Party people, we'll see you on Saturday, October 8th! *Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 9, 2022. Total rain-out all weekend means we refund your dough and we all go canoeing in the Ranch Camp parking lot. Schedule 7:30 Vendor setup 8:30 Registration opens 9:30 - 11:30 rides depart (specific schedule and descriptions below) 10:30 - 2:00 MTBVT remote aid station open 2:00 - 5:00 food is served 6:00 - 10:00 Backyard after party ASSESSING YOUR RIDE LEVEL What kind of rider are you and what group ride will be best to join? Read the descriptions below to assess what's best for you... Expert: Crush the climbs, slay the descentsPlenty of stamina, not a lot of rest breaksCan handle ANY terrainRelish the climbingRides 3-5 times per week … HARD.Advanced: Steady all-day pace...not winning any races thoughCan handle (almost) any terrainGood staminaLoves climbing… but also likes a wind break at the topRides most weekends / any terrain / fast paceIntermediate: Comfortable all over, but with some room to improveSolid Bike-handling skillsCan handle most rocks/logs/roots, but not at same time!Good Stamina (some mid-climb breaks)Climbing is ok…love the downhill!Rides some weekends / loves a good challengeBeg-Intermediate: More than a beginner but still plenty of room for improvementLoves riding…long rides ok but at a slow paceWants to take on challenging terrain…with some guidanceRides once or twice times per weekLearning to handle ‘features’ (rocks, logs, roots) without getting off bikeWill climb... if neededBeginner: Rides specifically created for newer riders, aimed at exploration and trying new terrainYouth: Rides specifically created for the wee shreddersAges 6-12EXAMPLE RIDES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) EXPERT RIDESGroup 1. Pretty Much Everything ** Departs 9:30 am Skill Level: Elite, with a focus on bike handling skills and climbing Duration: 6 + hours Miles: 35 + Fitness Level: Capable of climbing (at least 4,000 ft) and descending for 6 hours Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow Ride Description: Just like a college cramming session we'll try and do it all in one day and still make it to the after-party. Focus will be on the distance but there will be plenty of elevation going up & down. Route: We'll ride up to Sterling Valley and back, out to Adams Camp via Cady and Strawberry Hill, up to Trapps and back to town with maybe some extra loops mixed in along the way. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern aggressive trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) ADVANCED RIDES Group 2. MTBVT Party Ride Heavy ** Departs 9:45 am Skill Level: High level bike handling skills and endurance to ride all day at a moderate pace Duration: 3 - 4 hours Miles: 20 - 25 Fitness Level: Capable of climbing and descending (at least 2,500 ft) for 4ish hours Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow, and Party Ride Description: The magical mystery tour of Leaf Blower rides, the MTBVT party ride will take you on a tour of Stowe's classic trails with several stops along the way to soak in the scenery. This is a long ride but the pace will be fun and casual. Route: We'll start in Cady Hill, riding some trails on the outskirts, up Pipeline, through Trapp Family Lodge and into Adams Camp, then back to the barn (with the obligatory party stops along the way). Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern aggressive trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) Group 3. Ferda Girls Advanced **Departs 9:45 am Skill Level: High level bike handling skills and endurance to ride all day at a moderate pace Duration: 3 - 4 hours Miles: 20 - 25 Fitness Level: Capable of climbing and descending (at least 2,500 ft) for 4ish hours Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow, and Party Ride Description: The Stowe sampler pack, ladies edition. This ride will cover multiple trail pods and a wealth of terrain, including some heavy climbing and descending, but will make time to stop and enjoy the view. Route: We'll start in Cady Hill, riding some trails on the outskirts, up Pipeline, through Trapp Family Lodge and into Adams Camp, then back to the barn (with the obligatory party stops along the way). Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern aggressive trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) INTERMEDIATE RIDESGroup 4. Sterling Pedal-Assist-Palooza **Departs 10:00 am Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced Duration: 3 - 4 hours Miles: 20 - 25 Fitness Level: Comfortable handling a pedal assist bike on hand-built trails with a healthy dose of climbing Terrain: Mix of double track, hand-built singletrack, and some pavement en route to our destination) Ride Description: Charge up your e-steed and get ready to explore Stowe’s Sterling Forest, home to some of the oldest and best singletrack in the region. This ride will leave from Ranch Camp and pedal out to Sterling for a singletrack sampling session, and then back to town. Route: We’ll pedal out to the Sterling Forest trails, accessing via Maple Run Road. After a full loop in Sterling, we’ll head back to town, rip up the Rec Path to the Adams Camp aid station, and then head back to Ranch Camp. Recommended Bike: Class 1 pedal assist e-bike with front and rear suspension (interested in renting an e-bike for the day? Call Ranch Camp to reserve a demo: (802) 253-2753 Group 5. Ferda Girls Social Safari **Departs 10:30 am Skill Level: Intermediate, comfortable on mixed terrain (hand- and machine-built trails) Duration: 3ish hours Miles: 12 - 15 Fitness Level: Social pace with a bit of endurance Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow, and Party Ride Description: This ladies-only ride will sample some of Cady Hill’s finest before venturing out to some further flung trail party locales, all at a good-time-no-rush pace. Route: Pickles Path over to Pipeline, down Hardy Haul to the Adams Camp aid station, then up through AC for a meandering tour back to Ranch Camp. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) Group 6. STP Party Ride Lite **Departs 10:30 am Skill Level: Intermediate, comfortable on mixed terrain (hand- and machine-built trails) Duration: 3ish hours Miles: 12 - 15 Fitness Level: Social pace with a bit of endurance Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow, and Party Ride Description: This ride will sample some of Cady Hill’s finest before venturing out to some further flung trail party locales, all at a good-time-no-rush pace. Route: Pickles Path, up Pipeline, to the Trapp’s Cabin, down to the Aid Station at Adams Camp, down Haulapalooza and back to Ranch Camp via the Rec Path. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) Group 7. Shuttler’s Delight (Heavy) **Departs 10:45 am Skill Level: Intermediate, comfortable on mixed terrain (hand- and machine-built trails) Duration: 3ish hours Miles: 15+ Fitness Level: Social pace with a bit of endurance Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow, and Party Ride Description: This ride, led by some true legends of Stowe mountain biking, will shuttle up to the Trapp Family Lodge trails for a bit of ascending and exploration before enjoying a spectacular descent back to Ranch Camp via Strawberry Hill and Cady Hill Route: We’ll shuttle up to the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center, climb to the Trapp’s Cabin, ride down to the Adams Camp Aid station, back up through Trapp’s and down Pipeline back to Cady Hill. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) BEGINTERMEDIATE RIDES(more than a beginner, just dabbling in that intermediate zone) Group 8. #Lucy Approved Shuttler’s Delight **Departs 10:45 am Skill Level: Beginner with some intermediate tendencies (or intermediate with some beginner tendencies) Duration: 2 - 3 hours Miles: 8 - 15 Fitness Level: Comfortable on mixed terrain capable of climbing but all about the descent Terrain: Mixture of hand- and machine built, some rocks, some roots, lotsa flow! Ride Description: This ride, led by some true legends of Stowe mountain biking, will shuttle up to the Trapp Family Lodge trails for some mellow singletrack before pointing it downhill back to the Ranch. Bail out options exist along the way! Route: From the Trapp Family Lodge Outdoor Center we’ll ride down Pipeline, through Strawberry Hill Farm and Cady Hill, to Ranch Camp. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) Group 9. Flow-Riders **Departs 11:00 am Skill Level: Beginner with some intermediate tendencies (or intermediate with some beginner tendencies) Duration: 2 - 3 hours Miles: 8 - 10 Fitness Level: Comfortable on mixed terrain at a slower pace Terrain: Mostly machine-built party laps! (with a bit of hand-built mixed in for good measure) Ride Description: Easy going climbs and mellow descents on mostly machine-built trails in Cady Hill Forest Route: From Ranch Camp we’ll go up Charlie’s to Snake, across Cady Hill Connector to Bears and back up to the Green Chair aid station, down Bridgey to Sap Bucket, to the top of Flo (maybe Flo twice?) and home on Charlies! Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) BEGINNER RIDESGroup 10. Slowly Celebrating Stowe Singletrack **Departs 11:30 am Skill Level: Just gettin’ started but stoked to ride with my new friends! Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours Miles: 5 - 8 Fitness Level: I’m gettin’ there, give it time Terrain: Mostly machine-built terrain with as little climbing as possible Ride Description: Stowe’s Cady Hill Forest has some of the best machine built trails in the state, so let’s ride ‘em all! No rush, we’ll take our time while drink in the view and enjoy the ride. Route: From Ranch Camp we’ll climb up Charlie’s, around Eagle Ridge to the Green Chair Aid station, down Bear’s (and exit if you’re tapped out), or head up Cady Hill CLimb for a lap around Flow and then back to Ranch Camp. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) "THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT" RIDESGroup 11. Grom Bomb (advanced kids ride) **Departs 11:45 am Skill Level: Ages 10 - 14 Duration: 2ish hours Miles: 5 - 10 Fitness Level: Comfortable on mixed-terrain and capable of climbing Terrain: Mixture of Rocks, Roots, Flow Ride Description: If you’re the kind of kid who has to show your mom or dad the speed for that new jump before you hit it, this is the ride for you. Route: We’ll head up Charlie’s to Snake, across Cady Hill Connector to Flow, over to Bear’s and back up to the Green Chair aid station, to the top of Flo and home on Charlies! Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) Group 12. Lil’ Rippers Rally **Departs 12:00 pm Skill Level: Age 5 - 12 Duration: ~ 1 - 1.5 hours Miles: Just a couple, not too many Fitness Level: Easy pace on undulating trails Terrain: Flow trails with some roots and rocks Ride Description: A quick jaunt for the wee ones. Route: From Ranch Camp we’ll briefly go up Charlie’s, across Golden Eagle access trail, through the Golden Eagle Skills Area, up the Rec Path to Pickle’s Path, to Robin’s Run, and back to the barn on the Rec Path. Recommended Bike: this ride is appropriate for most modern trail bikes (hardtail or full suspension) **Parking during the event: Due to limited parking, Ranch Camp will not be able to park any cars at their location. Please plan on parking at the Springer Miller Parking Lot (overflow parking will be at the Mayo Farm Field) and bike commute to Ranch Camp from the parking area (consider this a nice 8-minute warm-up!). Please review these maps for both driving directions to the parking area and biking directions to Ranch Camp. A bag check area will be available to store gear and bags while riding!