2021 Leaf Blower Fall Classic

Ranch Camp Stowe

MTBVT, in collaboration with Stowe Trails Partnership & Ranch Camp, presents the 10th annual Leaf Blower Fall Classic MTB Fest!

Ranch Camp

This event is made possible by the generosity of our partners von Trapp Brewing &amp; Stowe Mountain Bike Academy. Thank you! MTBVT, in collaboration with Stowe Trails Partnership &amp; Ranch Camp, is stoked to present Vermont's favorite autumn mountain bike tradition: the 10th annual Leaf Blower Fall Classic Mountain Bike Festival. This year's Leaf Blower is going down on Saturday, October 9th 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 and photo booth) 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 from local legends Dale and Darcy, and the requisite telling of tall tales around the campfire. Your registration covers the rides, vendor garden, snacks, cookout, a beverage, a bag o' MTBVT goodies (event poster, custom top cap, stickers) 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 straight back to building and maintaining Stowe’s trails. Win win! New this year we'll be hosting a "you don't have to go home, you can stay here" after party at the Backyard (right across the parking lot from Ranch Camp). For those looking to extend their evening, we've got DJ Rekkon queued up to spin tunes, local bike vid's ready to roll, and will have food and drink specials to accommodate the second shift party animals among us!

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&#x27;ll see you on Saturday, October 9th!*Rain date is scheduled for Sunday, October 10, 2021. Total rain-out all weekend means we refund your dough and we all go canoeing in the Ranch Camp parking lot. Schedule7:30 Vendor setup8:30 Registration opens 9:30 - 11:30 rides depart (specific schedule and descriptions below)10:30 - 2:00 MTBVT remote aid station open2:00 - 5:00 food is served 6:00 - 10:00 Backyard after party with DJ Rekkon

ASSESSING YOUR RIDE LEVELWhat kind of rider are you and what group ride will be best to join? Read the descriptions below to assess what&#x27;s best for you...Expert:<ul><li>Crush the climbs, slay the descents</li><li>Plenty of stamina, not a lot of rest breaks</li><li>Can handle ANY terrain</li><li>Relish the climbing</li><li>Rides 3-5 times per week … HARD.</li></ul>Advanced:<ul><li>Steady all-day pace...not winning any races though</li><li>Can handle (almost) any terrain</li><li>Good stamina</li><li>Loves climbing… but also likes a wind break at the top</li><li>Rides most weekends / any terrain / fast pace</li></ul>Intermediate:<ul><li>Comfortable all over, but with some room to improve</li><li>Solid Bike-handling skills</li><li>Can handle most rocks/logs/roots, but not at same time!</li><li>Good Stamina (some mid-climb breaks)</li><li>Climbing is ok…love the downhill!</li><li>Rides some weekends / loves a good challenge</li></ul>Beg-Intermediate:<ul><li>More than a beginner but still plenty of room for improvement</li><li>Loves riding…long rides ok but at a slow pace</li><li>Wants to take on challenging terrain…with some guidance</li><li>Rides once or twice times per week</li><li>Learning to handle ‘features’ (rocks, logs, roots) without getting off bike</li><li>Will climb... if needed</li></ul>Beginner:<ul><li>Rides specifically created for newer riders, aimed at exploration and trying new terrain</li></ul>Youth:<ul><li>Rides specifically created for the wee shredders</li><li>Ages 6-12</li></ul>

<h3>EXPERT RIDES</h3>Group 1. Pretty Much Everything ** Departs 9:30 amSkill Level: Elite, with a focus on bike handling skills and climbingDuration: 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&#x27;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 &amp; down. Route: We&#x27;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) 	<h3>ADVANCED RIDES	</h3>Group 2. MTBVT Party Ride Heavy ** Departs 9:45 amSkill Level: High level bike handling skills and endurance to ride all day at a moderate paceDuration: 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&#x27;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&#x27;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 amSkill Level: High level bike handling skills and endurance to ride all day at a moderate pace 	Duration: 3 - 4 hours Miles: 20 - 25Fitness 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&#x27;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)<h3>INTERMEDIATE RIDES</h3>Group 4. Sterling Pedal-Assist-Palooza **Departs 10:00 am Skill Level: Intermediate to advancedDuration: 3 - 4 hours Miles: 20 - 25Fitness 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) 253-2753Group 5. Ferda Girls Social Safari **Departs 10:30 amSkill 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 - 15Fitness 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 HillRoute: 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)<h3>BEGINTERMEDIATE RIDES</h3>(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 - 15Fitness 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 ForestRoute: 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)<h3>BEGINNER RIDES</h3>Group 10. Slowly Celebrating Stowe Singletrack **Departs 11:30 amSkill 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)<h3>&quot;THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT&quot; RIDES</h3>Group 11. Grom Bomb (advanced kids ride) **Departs 11:45 amSkill 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 pmSkill Level: Age 5 - 12Duration: ~ 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 <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Springer-Miller+Systems/@44.473479,-72.693862,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x5efde73e57b184b3?sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjLxY3R1qzzAhUsMlkFHZPrCS4Q_BJ6BAhPEAU" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Springer Miller Parking</a> 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!

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2021 Leaf Blower Fall Classic

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2021 Leaf Blower Fall Classic

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