Grateful for Gravel

Are you ready for some leg burn? The Mad River Riders are hosting the second annual Grateful Gravel bike event and concert on July 27 at Mount Ellen. 

It’s a crazy concept, well executed. As their website says, “Grateful Gravel is a concoction from the minds of cycling enthusiast Dead Heads in the Mad River Valley that blends the worlds of endurance sports and music festivals into one event.” 

Stunningly, some riders choose the “Fire on the Mountain” route: 63 miles and 8000 vertical (Number Nine Road anyone?). But there are two other options as well, a tamer 32-44 mile route with about half the vertical. Or, my personal sweet spot, tickets to the concert on the Mount Ellen lawn and Lawson’s on tap.

This year’s concert once again features Zach Nugent, an artist who can replicate vintage Grateful Dead concerts of the past. (Last year was Cornell 1977). And local band, Running in Circles, who plays venues around the Valley and Vermont, opens the show. 

And to inspire you to find your bike shorts for the race or a folding chair for the concert, all the event proceeds benefit the Mad River Riders, the Valley’s non-profit mountain bike club. See you there!

Photo credit: Valley Reporter