Ride Report: The Hibernator

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Professor’s Grade: A

The Northeast gravel cycling calendar is relatively full. There is a common theme heard in our community of fear of saturation in our beloved corner of the cycling world, so why would a promoter add one more? Same basic question as why do craft brewers continue to make different IPAs? Clearly, because there are enough  people like me who will oblige and partake in one more. So when a friend asked me if I was interested in The Hibernator, a gravel event in East Burke, Vermont in mid-October, I quickly said I’m in.

The Hibernator event promoters provided a two route options; 50K with 4,500 vertical feet and 100K with 7,500 vertical feet of beautiful Vermont country foliage and off the beaten path goodness. Approximately 60 riders rolled out to a controlled mass start with temps in the high 30’s. We were soon greeted to a few miles of uphill gravel road climbing before exiting the road for some high grass bushwhacking and class IV adventure. At this point, I was wishing I threw the 650b x 47’s on the trail donkey. I did have to dismount once in the heavy mud, but I’m used to this now. I knew what I signed up for.

When we emerged from the woods it was back to climbing, a long 4+ mile climb on Victory and Radar roads until the first aid station at mile 15. I was already 1.5 hours in and quickly grabbed a Clif bar and topped off my water, then hit the road. I was looking forward to the three-mile decent, but it wasn’t as easy as I hoped. Leaf covered and hiding potential potholes in some of the old tarred road sections, I backed off a bit, but it was still welcomed after that long climb.

After a series of scenic gravel rollers and one super steep climb — my head unit was bouncing from 17%-20% elevation — I rolled into the second aid station at mile 24 at Honest to Goodness Farm. The gracious hosts presented me a pumpkin chocolate cookie, or maybe was it two? I washed it down with hot apple cider (homemade and pressed right there) spiked with Vermont Maple Syrup…OMG that hit the spot. The views up at the farm and the next few miles were spectacular.

I opted for the 50K route on this day. As I glanced down at my Garmin I realized I had less than 5 miles to go and wondered if I cut my day too short. Then I recognized where I was (a little flashback from the last couple years of Rasputitsa), and I remembered what was just ahead when I turned on to Pinkham Road. What’s one more long hill climb? I slowly turned the cranks and made my way to the finish. However, the surprises were not over. The finish included a rip down Roly Grail flow trail to Burke Mtn. It was a bit of a challenge on the gravel bike but pure fun to end an exciting day.

Does the Northeast have room for another gravel grinder? Hell yes! Race organizers Chris and Tim killed it, this was a grassroots thriller. It pushes all the buttons. Super hard climbs, white knuckle descents, class IV gnar, single track flow, and honest to Vermont hospitality and beauty.

Put this on your calendar for next October. You won’t regret it. But I suggest you come prepared and don’t take a month off before like I did!