**PLEASE NOTE: there is no onsite event parking at Ranch Camp. All event parking is in satellite parking lots. See parking map at bottom of page.
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!
2022 art by Joel MacKenzie
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
10:30 – 2:00 MTBVT remote aid station open
2:00 – 5:00 food is served
6:00 – 10:00 Backyard after party
RIDES
A full schedule of rides and descriptions can be found on the reg page. If your ability, stamina, and inner party-person fit the bill, we recommend you join our ride… 🙂
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 over technical terrain with plenty of climbing but the pace will be 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 HQ (with the obligatory party stops along the way).
**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 5-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!
