Dirt 251 Final Reflection & Superlatives

It’s been a few months since wrapping up the Dirt 251 project. The snow this winter has been marginal: I’ve skied more than I’ve biked, but I’ve BIKED! OUTSIDE! Overall (between grumbling and stressing about this weird winter) I think I’ve had enough time to really look back and reflect on everything. This post will serve as a vessel into which I can place some of my thoughts. I’ll mainly do it through superlatives, but will include some bigger pictures reflections at the end.

First, let’s get to some numbers:

• Miles Ridden – 2337.16
• Feet Climbed – 218,164
• Climbing to Distance Ratio – 93.346 (100 is the Golden Gravel Ratio) 
• Moving Time- 8 Days 14 hours 36 minutes 12 seconds
• Elapsed Time – 11 days 1 hour 58 minutes 12 seconds
• People Ridden With – 25+

Spending over 8 days of my life in the saddle of a bicycle doing this project has obviously been time well spent. If you’d asked me at the beginning, how long would this take, I doubt I’d have said over 8 days. It’s also notable that I spent close to three cumulative days taking breaks on these rides. But then again riding the equivalent distance (according to Google bike directions) from my house to Breckenridge Colorado and climbing the elevation of 7.5 Mount Everests deserves a bit of a break. Okay, this is quickly sliding into bragging territory, so let’s change the vibe and share some gratitude for some of the 25+ people with whom I rode:

• Chris and John: The Jesters of Gravel. You guys weren’t on many of these rides, but when you were there it was always quality. You brought the fun and suffered nobly. From the multiple bee stings Chris suffered on Ride 2 to the unrelenting hills on Ride 30, you were equal parts tenacious and non-serious. 
• Jared: I swear you could have done this in half my time if you weren’t busy rocking so many other accomplishments. You were always gung-ho and were happy to wait for my sluggish pace up the big climbs. I especially appreciated the 1:1 time we got together on Ride 21.
• Kevin & Rachel: Basically bookending the project, you two were the best. From the local beta to the adorable notes accompanying the delicious donuts, you two are true gems.
• Rachel & Tyler: You two have been my bike sages since before all this 251 business started. I’ve learned so much from you and appreciate your generous spirits. Plus you now run the best dang gravel event in the state, so thanks for that too!
• Cameron & Dan: I logged a lot of miles with you guys. You were both there on my first century (Ride 11) and I’ve learned a lot from you both: from how to take better photos (even if I’m not a pro) to how to keep the silly in cycling (was EVERY ride named after a Jack Johnson lyric that summer?).
• Kristine, Darby, Beth & Luke: My Winooski Bike Gang Crew! Though I love the weekly group rides, it was so nice to spend time with y’all out in the wilds of Vermont (and Canada!). I’ve appreciated getting to know you all better and I’m SURE we’ll do an overnighter this year.
• Rafaela: I think we basically met because of these rides. And even if not, they certainly helped us grow closer. Thank you so much for your insightful considerations on life and just being a wholly warm human being. No matter the weather, terrain or whatever, I always know a ride will be pleasant when you are on it.
• Maddie: There’s absolutely no way I could have done it without you. Your company on the bike was second to none, and your support throughout this whole process (both on the bike and off) have been absolutely necessary to its success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
• Brad: Yes, I saved you for last, even after Maddie. I mean you were on more than 1/3 of these rides: far and above what anyone else did. You provided me with expertise, support (both logistical and emotional), route ideas and at least one tube. You are the best damned riding partner anyone could ask for. Thank you and here’s to many more years in the saddle together!

Okay, enough mushy stuff, let’s channel our inner high school yearbook and do some superlatives. For most of these, there will be runners up and/or (dis)honorable mentions. I’ll do my best to explain the category (if needed) and at the very least provide a little color to fill in my thinking on why I chose it.

Favorite Town: Baltimore

7.1 miles of some of the choicest roads in the state. AND ALL DIRT! I mean, how many folks have heard of Baltimore, let alone been there? There’s just no way I’d have been through had it not been for this project. It has an awesome origin story, breaking off from Cavendish in 1793 and some pretty neat history too. All with only one public building! It just checks so many boxes for me. I love it. Oh and one piece of bonus trivia: Baltimore is one of only seven municipalities in Vermont with no State Highways. The others? Stannard, Brookline, Granby, Victory, Huntington and Lincoln. You might think Chittenden would be one as well, but it has .1 miles of Route 73.

Most Interesting Town History: Middletown Springs

Similar to Baltimore, there was a decision to create a new town because of natural barriers that made an emerging settlement closer than the villages of the towns in which folks actually lived. This led to new political boundaries that mirror geographic features, which I love and just looking at the shape of the town, you can see there must be a story there. Its early economy was built around mills and tanneries, but a storm washed all but one away. Water continued to be a throughline in its story, as it also had a boom and bust cycle around mineral springs and the tourism associated with that fad (it even led to the addition of “Springs” to the town’s name in 1884). There’s more to it than just that, but generally I see it mirroring a lot of Vermont’s history. Check out articles HERE, HERE and HERE to learn more about the town.

Honorable Mentions: Brownington & Proctor

Best Road Name: Four Wheel Drive, Norwich

It’s a pun. It’s short. It’s a bit subtle. I LOVE it.

Honorable Mentions: 

Longest Distance in One Town: Alburgh

Because of its length, the fact that I wanted to hit up Line Road, the rail trail and Alburgh Dunes State Park, as well as the detour over to Isle La Motte, we spent a whopping 29 miles in Alburgh! 

Speaking of long mileage, I discovered Joe Cook who had a project to ride every paved road on the State Highway map. Sort of the anti-Dirt 251. I’m not sure what exactly the State Highway Map is, but wow, what an idea and as far as I know he did it. Inspired by Joe Cook, I also learned of Chuck Rainville who duplicated Joe’s feat and did some more detailed blogging about it. And lastly, through that blog did I learn about Dr. Edward A Keenan Jr. who walked every Class IV road or better in Vermont (excluding Interstates), finishing when he was 80!

Shortest Shrift Town: Winhall

Only one mile for poor Winhall. I know for a fact that there is some awesome riding in the town, but despite my best route planning efforts (and my personal “rules” for the project) I just clipped it. The VTXL Route goes through Winhall on the backside of Stratton Mountain and I certainly want to get down there, but the northern end of town just didn’t present to many opportunities for dirt roads what weren’t way out of the way and/or didn’t add in a bunch of busy paved road riding. All the towns mentioned below were a similar story. Maybe I’ll just need to do a series of redemption rides and pedal the crap out of all of them. 

Honorable Mentions: Warners Grant, Grafton, Brookline, Mt Tabor, Lowell, Vernon, Mendon, South Burlington & Readsboro

Best Animal Sighting: Snapping Turtle in Royalton

This thing was right in the middle of the road on a screaming descent. Maddie and I were a bit behind the pack and slammed on our brakes to take a look. We were amazed the others didn’t stop, but when we asked them about it, they’d somehow didn’t even see it! Luckily, it wasn’t right on a corner, because hitting that reptile at the speeds we were going wouldn’t have been good for either of us.

Honorable Mention: Alpacas, deer, cows, salamanders, butterflies, goats, cows, shop/cafe dogs and that one wild-looking iridescent beetle.

Best Food: The Ranger, Ride 30

This isn’t exactly a fair fight since The Ranger is an amazingly well organized, paid ride (thanks Rachel and Tyler!). However, I can’t ignore the quality of the offerings. From the sugary waffles at the aid stations, to the stunning post-race food from The Brownsville Butcher, it had it all. Really second to none. 

Honorable Mentions: Dots and Roadrunner on Ride 40, The Tastee Freeze on Ride 37, Canteen Creemee on Ride 33, & Gretchen and Ian’s blueberry buckle and other pies on Ride 6.

Best Barn: West View Farm Round Barn, Waterford

This beauty kind of came out of nowhere. I knew the route had a fun little section of Class IV road, but I didn’t expect an immaculate round barn and other gorgeous buildings of this homestead right at the end of it! It was in the last few miles of the ride and I relished the opportunity to slow down in the shade and drink it all in. 

Honorable Mentions:

Best Views (Town): Westmore

There were obviously gorgeous views all over the place and picking a favorite locale for them was tough. But I thought hard and went for the jaw-dropping stunning views of Westmore. First there was the foliage tunnel with peek-a-boo views of Long Pond Road. Then cruising down Route 5A past waterfalls coming off the 1500 foot cliffs of Mount Pisgah looming to our left and sandwiched between the deep water of Lake Willoughby to our right. It was all capped off by the CCC Road climb (which okay topped out in Sutton) but the glimpses we got of the lake were fantastic. Plus, it wasn’t directly on a ride, but my stop at Sentinel Rock State Park after Ride 38 provided some of the best wide angle scenery I’ve ever seen in the state.

Honorable Mention: Cambridge

Best Views (Route): Ride 22

Ride 22 was my second century and essentially a Greatest Hits Compilation for Addison County: so we had a lot of miles to paint with and my what a canvas! Addison County just doesn’t quit. There are looks to the west up into the Highlands of Ripton, across towards the Adirondacks and in between innumerable corn fields, pastures, hills, quiet lanes and wooded thickets. Plus the white gravel in some of the southern reaches of the ride always stops me in my tracks.

Honorable Mention: Ride 28

Most Remote Route: Ride 31

Yes, “remote” is a pretty subjective measure. But I went with feeling on this one. Spending the night in the shadow of the radar towers of a Cold War era military base on top of a mountain in the least populated part of the least populated region of the state doesn’t get more remote-feeling. Yes, there were other people up there with me, and yes, they did drive up there. But some were irresponsibly shooting guns and man did I feel far from definitive care when I heard those bullets ricocheting above my tent. But I think it was the remoteness that brought this route some sweet surprises, the top one of course being the Mother Nature’s Mountain Farm Stand and their ice-cold, nectar-of-the-gods sun tea.

Honorable Mention: Ride 40

Worst Mud: Unknown Pond Road, Avery’s Gore

This track is basically only a VAST trail and there’s no real reason why anyone would bike it unless they’re doing the 251 Club. It’s so swampy, I’m shocked my shoes didn’t get sucked off my feet at any point. You can barely even see the pond once you get up there. I’m glad I went, but I’m not going back.

Dishonorable Mentions: Sparhawk Road – Wheelock, Mt Moses Trail – Bridgewater

Best Vehicle: Painted Subaru, Stanstead, Quebec

Okay, I know I’m stretching the rules a bit with this one, but these superlatives need a little international flair, right? This thing really was a piece of art. I wish I’d taken pictures of every side of it. It was amazing!

Honorable Mentions:

Worst Climb: Radar Road in New Haven

Before any down, there must be an up and this one was a doozy. Including the approach on John Irwin Road from Victory, this climb is 8.5 miles and climbs 2,815 feet with an average grade of 4.8%. Towards the top it ramps up to almost 10% for the last two miles and 1,037 feet of elevation. And then there’s the strangely paved portion at the very top which messes with your head because it should be easier with the nice surface, but you’re so gassed by that point you can’t see straight. I’m not ashamed to admit I hiked more than a few stretches. Maybe with an unloaded bike I’d be able to clean it, but wow what a climb. The views were 100% worth it though.

Dishonorable Mentions: Brandon Gap on 73 Out of Rochester, Quimby Mountain Road – Killington, Kelley Stand Road – Sunderland

Best Descent: CCC Road off Mount Hoar in Sutton

The surface was gravel, but silky smooth. Plus the leaves were peaking and the sun was just right. And lastly the angle of descent and the curve of the turns were just right for us to really rip without it getting too sketchy.

Honorable Mentions: Larkin Road – Tunbridge, Johnson Hill Road – Royalton, Kelley Stand Road – Sunderland, Burton Hill Road – Irasburg and any shaded dirt road that parallels a small stream

Most Difficult Route: Ride 37

There were a few different cruxes in this one. The Bennington and Shaftsbury portions were really quite pleasant. But Country Road from Pownall into Stamford and especially Stage Coach Road in Woodford were just killers. Plus the Route 8 climb in between them was no slouch either. It wasn’t the elevation so much (though this ride was over ratio) it was the surface. There were just so many sections of muddy bogs or huge, sharp baby-head rocks. I definitely hiked for some of the longest stretches of the whole project. But you’ve gotta hit those roads at least once!

Honorable Mention: Ride 34

Most Chill Route: Ride 32

It makes sense that the chillest route would be the only ride where I just covered one municipality. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the newly minted city is not even 5 square miles. Though it was pretty laid back, I am proud of myself for finding some fun pockets of trails and dirt roads. And it was pretty neat being able to ride through a newly formed city. The last time Vermont got a new municipality was when South Burlington swapped from a town to a city in 1971. Fun city bonus fact: Vergennes is not only the oldest city in Vermont, it’s the third oldest city (when measured by incorporation date) in the entire USA, after Hartford and New Haven CT.

Honorable Mention: Ride 7

Best Aprés Scene: Ride 2

This was the first group ride of the Dirt 251 project and it really worked out well. We had a lunch of homemade ciabatta rolls with delicious sandwich fixings and an awesome swimming session at the Chelsea Street Bridge swimming hole in Royalton. I so appreciated having extra time with everyone on that ride.

Honorable Mentions: Jake Carrie’s pond- Ride 4, Sentinel Rock & Willoughby swim- Ride 38, Post-century vibes and finding Maddie’s glasses- Ride 11

Best Roadside Attraction or Oddity: Post Mills Airport

We didn’t get the full Post Mills Airport experience, and I do want to go back to see the museum. But even just seeing the Vermontasaurus and other quirky structures there was fantastic. The story of the place is of course inspiring and tragic all at the same time. It’s truly one of a kind.

Honorable Mentions:

Worst Road: Stage Coach, Woodford

Woof. This thing is a bear. It is amazing to be able to be in that area on a bike, but it’s MUCH better suited to a mountain bike or really an ATV. The huge, sharp baby-head stones they’ve “improved” the trail with just aren’t meant for cycle tires. There was so much hike-a-bike and the worst part? the descent into Bennington at the end was so steep and rough, it was basically just as much work as the rest of it! Maybe if I do the Vermont Super-8 I’ll go again, but it will take some convincing.

Dishonorable Mentions: Unknown Pond Road – Averys Gore, Birdseye Road – Ira, Various “Legal Trails” and ATV Trails.

Best Road: Old Foundry, Orwell

Old Foundry isn’t the flashiest road. It has views, it has dirt, it’s narrow with trees arching fully overhead at points: it has many things that other roads have. But it just feels so different. It seems to be removed in time and space. Routes 73 and 22A rumble off to the east, but it’s just settled into the land, doing its own thing and it allows you to do the same.

Honorable Mentions: Natural Turnpike – Ripton, West Mountain Road – Shaftsbury, Middle/South Hill Roads – Goshen & Chittenden, Bull Moose Road – Stowe, Cloudland & HW42 – Woodstock, and Syndicate Road/Carver Street – Pittsford & Brandon.

Best Sign: “Bad Turn“, Greenboro

This thing is truly folk art. There’s a whole story going on and it’s just the little touches I love: the black outline like on a real road sign, the hat shooting off, plus the bird’s sung lament really just takes the cake.

Best General Store: Buxton’s Store, Orwell

Like many of these categories, this winner is somewhat context-dependent. Coming at mile 58 of our Addison County century, it was timed well. Additionally, seeing our old friend Kyle there was a fun surprise. But there are some things that make this one special on its own. Firstly, it just fits the part visually: a beautiful white building with a small porch in front of large picture windows amidst the sparse Main Street. Inside, it has the stuffed-full-but-not-too-full aesthetic down and has the creaky floorboards to match. Plus they had a cardboard cutout of Bernie in his mittens! The sandwiches were great (they make a mean Vermonter) and though it was closed for a bit, the deli counter seems to have reopened! It’s certainly worth a stop.

Honorable Mentions: Pierce’s Store – Shaftsbury, Brownsville Butcher, Putney General Store, Warren Store, Wells Country Store, Sherman’s Store – West Rupert, Dan & Whit’s – Norwich, Willey’s Store – Greensboro, Falls General Store – Northfield Falls, Willoughby Lake Store – Westmore & The Cupboard – Jeffersonville.

Best Overall Route: Ride 25

This is one that was probably buoyed by the weather, the company and other circumstances of the day and not necessarily the route, but of course I’d have to pick one and this was it. It had remote Class IV roads. It had classic areas like Darling Hill in Lyndonville. It had fun road names (looking at you Black Fly Boulevard). It had panoramic views multiple times over. It had a classic general store. It just had a little bit of everything you want on a route. The one thing I’d say is avoid the Class IV shortcut from Morery Road to King George. Or look a bit longer for the entrance. That bushwhack was a stinker. 

Honorable Mentions: Ride 36, Ride 41 and Ride 42

This whole thing kind of started out on a whim: it was a way to keep busy and stay sane during the height of Covid. I figured I’d get into it, but had no idea how much time and energy it would take. Not to say that’s a bad thing: it led to so much enjoyment. That time and energy planning was just as pleasurable as the actual riding (sometimes more so!). I didn’t keep track of the hours I spent planning and researching the rides before and after, but I’m sure it’s close the the time on the bike. 

Getting to see this state at the pace my wheels could carry me has been the perfect way to see it. Vermont is of course gorgeous. It has its rougher edges and plenty of challenges, but there is so much kindness and community spread throughout these verdant hills. Plus, for such a small state, there are so many distinct regions, cultures, ecosystems, economies, and on and on. I’ve only scratched the surface, since there’s only so much you can see and learn from the sitting seat of a bike riding, or behind a laptop researching. But digging in that little bit has just redoubled my commitment to building a life where I continue getting to know this place and its people.

In addition to how much I’ve obviously learned about my Green Mountain State, I’ve grown and learned so much about myself. Outlining those lessons would be impossible (and frankly not all that interesting a read). So suffice it to say, I’m incredibly grateful to have had this experience and acknowledge the immense privilege that it has been. Thank you again to everyone who supported me. So get on out there and explore your community. You never know what you’ll find and you won’t regret it!