Now that we’re just days away from the 2018 Vermont 50, we want to tell you about some huge changes.
A Quick Public Service Announcement-Be Cool and Keep Our Race Going
NO PRE-RIDING!
Respect for our landowners’ private properties is the only way we can continue to keep the Vermont 50 going. The trails that are open for one day a year are not fair game for anyone. OK?
Be nice out there!
You will encounter motorists on public roads. You will encounter landowners spectating on the trails that cross their properties. They have every right to be there – don’t jeopardize the event for thousands of future participants – one bad gesture or comment to the wrong person can wreak havoc. We can’t tolerate those kinds of actions and it could cost you your finish. Thank you!
What’s New, well…
High school racing is back!
Vermont Youth Cycling will be holding a race on the morning of Saturday the 29th. We’re excited to be supporting Vermont’s future race stars, so show up early and cheer them on as they tear up Ascutney Trails!
For many of you who have been a part of the Vermont 50 family in past years, you’ll see big updates this year.
The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive at the newly opened Ascutney Outdoors Center is that we’ve relocated the Start and Finish lines.
In fact, we’ve got a whole new village area for the weekend festivities!
Ascutney Outdoors Center
Out on the main course, several sections have been completely redesigned to keep things fresh, fast, and awesome.
We’ve kept the classic course highlights in place for you, and maintained the basic route stats of elevation and road/trail ratios, but we’ve boosted this year’s scenic value in a big way.
Say hi to the cows in a true Vermont barnyard, enjoy the views of fellow racers charging down steep valley paths, and reacquaint yourself with some long-lost singletrack favorites.
In total, you’ll see almost 8 miles of completely new course routing.
The Vermont 50 Kids FREE Fun Mountain Bike Rides and Runs online registration closes on Thursday, Sept. 27 at noon.
You can still do Walk-Up registration on Saturday from noon-1 p.m. but there will be lines.
Racer Check-in Saturday Sept. 29 Big Tent Noon-1 p.m.
Race Time: Saturday September 29
Bike Races -2 p.m.
Run races-3:30 p.m.
(followed by a Treasure Hunt for the little ones approx. 4-weather permitting!)
Raffle tickets will be on sale at the Kids Race Registration table on Saturday, September 29 from noon until 2 p.m.
Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5 of $20 for an arm’s length!
Winners will be drawn around 4 p.m. near the kids race finish area, so parents-have your kids raffle tickets ready even if they are still on course!
You must be present to win, we’ll call the raffle ticket three times then move on to the next lucky ticket.
Our online closes Wednesday, Sept. 26 at midnight ET but you’ll still be able to shop for OFFICIAL Race Merchandise at the Race Merch Table in the BIG TENT.
Store Hours: Saturday, Sept. 29 noon-5 p.m.
Sunday Sept. 30 11 a.m.- 4 p.m..
Net proceeds go to support Vermont Adaptive. Orders placed online must be picked up at the Merchandise Table during Race Weekend.
We have trucker hats and runner caps.
Lots of T-shirts styles
Any some very cool jackets, pullovers and sweat shirts for men and women.
Shop online avoid the lines and get the Sizes and Colors you want.
Crews are at the race to give aid and support to their mountain biker or runner. They chase you around all day on Sunday. They keep you hydrated; they give you dry socks and sneakers; they feed you and they keep you smiling so you can finish. They tend to blisters and cuts and pick up your dirty bike or running clothes. They keep your headlamps charged with fresh batteries. They carry your drop bags. They navigate our back roads and park their vehicles in potentially muddy fields. They have the hardest job race weekend.
Family member, friend, spectator
Family members, friends are important to you too. They are “spectators“! They cheer their mountain biker or runner on at the FINISH LINE ONLY. They stake out THE BEST spot at the finish and wait, and wait, and wait for you to make your way to the finish line.
Then they help clean you up and drive you home.
Crew and Parking Permits
Your Crew vehicle must be registered with the race. You will be given an Aid Station Parking Permit on Saturday.
ONLY Vehicles displaying these permits are allowed to park at the three Aid Stations on Course (Skunk Hollow, Greenalls and Johnsons). CONTACT of any kind is NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE ON COURSE with mountain bikers or runners except at the three designated Aid Stations.
Family members, friends and spectators-no parking permit is required to park in the Base Camp parking lot. But space is limited and not guaranteed.
Crew Rules
There are a bunch of crew rules that need to be followed.
These rules are in place in order for us to get our local permits so we can continue to offer you a unique VERMONT experience.
We must all comply with these rules or the we might not be able to have the VERMONT 50 in the future.
It’s on us to make sure our race participants and their crews (and family members) follow these rules.
Failure to follow the rules can also result in disqualification of a mountain biker or runner.
Each participant is allowed only (1) crew vehicle on course.
All crew vehicles MUST have and display a Crew Parking Permit in order to access the aid stations.
One Crew Parking Permit will be given to each mountain biker or runner when they pick up their bib # and register their crew vehicle.
Relay running teams are allowed ONE VEHICLE per three person team.
Vehicles without the Crew Parking Permit will be required to leave the course/aid station.
Crews must follow the crew direction routes and stay off “closed to event traffic” roads.
Crews must follow the directions of race officials and aid station personnel.
Littering is taken seriously in Vermont – please help keep Vermont green!
Parking in undesignated areas will not be permitted. This is any place that the event doesn’t specifically tell you to park.
Do not block roads or driveways.
Do not park on lawns.
If you leave your vehicle in an unapproved area, it will likely be towed at your expense.
Offering aid to mountain bikers or runners from a vehicle anywhere other than an official “crew access” aid station is strictly prohibited.
Designated parking areas of Crew Access Stations are considered acceptable areas for participants to receive aid.
Being at an aid station that is not an official “crew access” station is strictly prohibited.
All roads are still open to the public at all times (with the exception of designated ‘closed to event traffic’ roads).
Do not set up in the road, and take care when crossing the road.
Crew Guidelines
There are three (3) locations at which you will be able to meet your mountain bikers or runners along the course: Skunk Hollow, Greenalls and Johnsons.
MEETING OR HELPING MOUNTAIN BIKERS OR RUNNERS AT ANY OTHER LOCATION IS NOT ALLOWED.
A Crew Parking Permit must be used at all times. Cars on the course must be kept to a minimum so you need to follow the crew directions from one authorized station to the next.
Please don’t use your GPS; there are some very bad, impassable roads that your device won’t know about. Also, there are roads that we cannot use due to landowner sensitivity, and we need to keep vehicles off runner routes as much as possible.
Crews are not allowed to park anywhere other than locations posted and allowed by race management.
FOLLOW ALL POSTED SPEED LIMITS. In some locations, it is 25 or 30 mph. The local police know ‘visitors’ are in town and are quick to ticket. In the absence of a sign, the speed limit on dirt roads is 30 mph.
If your mountain biker or runner drops from the race, THE MOUNTAIN BIKER, RUNNER OR CREW MUST NOTIFY RACE PERSONNEL AT ONCE.
Crews Can Save You Time!
Crews can save you time at the Drop Bag Aid Stations-Skunk Hollow, Greenalls and Johnsons. They can deliver your drop bag to you so you don’t have to hunt through the piles of bags from other participants.
And they’ll have them in the vehicle so when you’re ready to leave Base Camp to head home-you don’t have to wait for you drop bags to be returned to the BIG TENT. Crews can save you time!
GAS, FOOD and ICE
We have a map made for you to easily find gas, food and ice near our base camp.
We strongly suggest downloading this MAP to your phone or tablet BEFORE leaving home. Our cell and WiFi services are spotty at best.
You might also want to download the map to base camp to help with your navigation.
But the directions your crew will be given with their Parking Permit are pretty easy to follow.
Say hi to the cows in a true Vermont barnyard, enjoy the views of fellow racers charging down steep valley paths, and reacquaint yourself with some long-lost singletrack favorites.
