This year’s Riders’ Choice Awards results are in!
We have it good. It’s true. Vermont is spoiled with some of the most amazing mountain bike trails, shops, networks, and riders in the country. Despite the trials and tribulations we faced last season, our mountain bike community is as strong as ever. In an attempt to cast some positive light on a shadowy 2020 and illuminate the 2021 season to come, we’re taking a moment to honor and celebrate the State’s finest with this series of awards based on votes submitted by you, the pedaling public.
In 2020 we also ponied up a $2000 portion of our Loyal To Our Soil grant program for you to award to a recipient of your choosing. Votes have been counted and the winner is announced below!
Thank you to all those that took to time to highlight your favorites (450 unique voters this time around) and congratulations to the winners and runners-up.
Without further ado, here are your 2020 Riders’ Choice Award results:
Best Trail Network (for the 6th year running!)
1. Kingdom Trails
2. Slate Valley Trails
3. Cochran’s
Best Downhill Mountain
1. Killington
2. Bolton Valley
3. Highland
Trail with the Most Flow
1. Florence (Stowe)
2. Black Bear (East Haven)
3. Old Gents (Rochester)
Gnarliest Trail
1. Rastaman (Perry Hill)
2. DH Trail (Burke)
3. Devil’s Throat ( Green Mountain Trails)
Best Biking Town
1. East Burke
2. Stowe
3. TIE: Richmond / Waterbury
Best Retail Shop
1. Outdoor Gear Exchange
2. Bicycle Express
3. Ranch Camp
Best Bike Shop for Service
1. Ranch Camp
2. Earl’s Cyclery
3. Old Spokes Home
Best Mechanic
1. Darren Benz (Ranch Camp)
2. Orion Wolk (East Burke Sports)
3. Noah Tautfest (Bicycle Express)
Best Trailbuilder
1. Knight Ide
2. Tom Lepesqueur
3. Hardy Avery
Best Chapter of VMBA
1. Killington Mountain Bike Club
2. Waterbury Area Trails Alliance
3. TIE: Fellowship of the Wheel / Stowe Trails Partnership
Best Organization Leader
1. Ben Colona (Killington Mountain Bike Club)
2. Rachel Fussell (Stowe Trails Partnership)
3. John Duston (Waterbury Area Trails Alliance)
Strongest / Most Inspirational Rider
1. TIE: Rosy Metcalf / Will Goody
2. TIE: Adam Morse / Dylan Conte / Ben Colona
3. TIE: Ali Zimmer / Clemente Vara / Phil Kmetz
Most Promising Youth Rider
1. Riley Miller
2. Quinn Uva
3. Maddy Doiron
Best Après Spot
1. My Tailgate
2. Mike’s Tiki Bar
3. Ranch Camp
Best Après Beverage
1. Focal Banger
2. Chocolate Milk
3. PBR
Best Photographer or Videographer
1. Brooks Curran
2. Dave Trumpore
3. Ashley Rosemayer
Best Trail at a Downhill Park
1. Black Magic (Killington)
2. Knightslayer (Burke)
3. Slopestyle Course (Highland)
Best New(ish) Trail
1. Cheddar Shredder (Stowe Trails Partnership)
2. Hunker Down (Slate Valley Trails)
3. Hardstyle (Mount Peg)
And the Loyal To Our Soil Grant Winner is:
When asked “if You Could Award a $2000 Grant to Any VMBA Chapter or Non-Profit Trail Alliance in the State, Who Would it Be?” you voted for…
Killington Mountain Bike Club!!!
Congrats friends! Ben Colona and team have been working tirelessly to build their region into a true riding destination. We’re very pleased to be awarding KMBC $2000 to help further their momentum!
Thanks again to all that participated in the 2020 Riders’ Choice Awards. Here’s to our amazing community, culture, and sport with many years to come!
Cheers
