FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The
Real
Dirt

  • The Ranger takes place on Sunday, June 11 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge, Vermont. The 18, 42 and 62-mile rides begin at 9 a.m.; the Junior Ranger kids’ ride begins at 9:10 a.m.; and the no-drop ride begins at 9:30 a.m.

  • Registration includes a one-of-a-kind ride experience across hardpacked gravel, challenging hills and rugged, unmaintained roads. The ride will be supported by two fully stocked aid stations with food, hydration and bathrooms, and there will also be mechanical support before, during and after the event to make your experience as smooth as possible.

    Also included: one free meal, one free beer, custom swag and live music at the Party in the Pasture.

    To keep our event waste and your impact minimal, please bring your own reusable dishware.

  • Think of a gravel enduro as a “race within a ride,” where the only race times that are tracked come on a series of timed segments (also called stages). Finishing times aren’t based on overall ride time but on each rider’s cumulative time from these several segments.

    Awards will be given to the top three riders in the male, female and gender-diverse categories for riders on the 42 and 62-mile courses. (Both courses will be scored together, as no segments will be included on the additional 20 miles that make up the 62-mile course). Official instructions on how to have your times tracked as part of the gravel enduro will be communicated in May.

  • Camping is available both Friday and Saturday nights for those who’ve booked in advance—no weekend-of booking will be available for camping.

    There will be access to electricity and water (sorry, no showers, though). Campers may arrive on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. or Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Quiet hours run from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    You can purchase camping during registration or afterward via Bikereg.

  • Yes—your non-riding family SHOULD join for the Party in the Pasture or as volunteers. Food and drink will be available for purchase for non-riders at the Party in the Pasture, but come prepared with cash, as cell service for running credit cards can be spotty.

    Sorry, dogs are not allowed at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds.

    If your non-riding family wishes to see you ride on course, please use EXTREME caution driving the dirt roads during the event.

  • Ride with Purpose will mean many things to many people—but it comes down to being intentional about your impacts as a cyclist. For The Ranger, that involves organizing an event that positively impacts the communities through which we ride, specifically by limiting the event’s size and through working with numerous community and nonprofit partners, including by donating a substantial portion of event proceeds to projects to help and sustain these rural communities.

    As a participant, you should plan to Ride with Purpose, too, conducting yourself in a respectful manner that will reflect well on the cycling community as a whole. The courses are open to traffic, and this traffic may not be familiar with seeing cyclists or large groups of cyclists. Ride two abreast only when you are not impeding the flow of traffic; obey all signs and other signage, including those announcing trail closures in Tunbridge; carry all your trash; and use established bathrooms and porta-potties.

  • If you are unable to participate, you may assign your registration to whomever you like. You may do so by logging into your BikeReg account and changing the rider information prior to registration closing for the event (June 1).

    The Ranger will not issue refunds, rollovers or deferrals.

    Learn to transfer your registration to another individual here.

  • Riders looking to change their registration to a different distance may do so until June 1 by logging into their BikeReg account and editing their registration. Those looking to change to a longer course will be required to pay the difference in price.

    The Ranger will not issue refunds for the difference in price for those looking to change to a shorter course.

    Learn to transfer your registration to another individual here.

  • Yes. If you’ve chosen to ride the 42- or 62-mile courses and find yourself unable to finish, you can easily shorten your ride by traveling southbound on Route 110, the paved road just after the Larkin Covered Bridge. It’s approximately three miles of relatively flat pavement from the Larkin Covered Bridge to the Fairgrounds, which will be on your right once you arrive in the village of Tunbridge.

  • There will be two separate sag stops on course (one for the 18-mile route) with music, food, drink and more. These stops will have everything you’ll need to stay well fed and hydrated on your ride, and they’ll be such a good time you may not want to leave. There will be porta-potties, too.

    The start and finish will also have water and porta-potties, as well as food (a post ride meal is included with your registration).

    We’ll have mechanical support—as off-road vehicle support—before, during and after the event to make your ride as smooth and safe as possible.

  • All courses will be marked only at major intersections. Riders should plan to navigate via bike computer or phone. The routes will also be available in May, and Ride With GPS route links will be emailed for those looking to navigate using a bike computer.

  • Yes. All roads will be open to traffic, and all riders are expected to be courteous and respectful of drivers and the roads that this event is privileged to use.

    June is haying season, and farm vehicles may be traveling the roads in greater numbers than usual. In many cases, it’s difficult to see cyclists from farm equipment, which also may be entering and exiting roads in unexpected locations. Be aware!

    Per Vermont state law, cyclists may ride two abreast but shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. This means riders must stay to the right even on dirt roads and may ride two abreast (and not more than two abreast) only where it is safe to do so.

  • Many bikes will be capable on The Ranger’s courses, so long as your tires have some form of tread and width greater than 32c. The climbing around Tunbridge is no joke, and a 1:1 gear ratio will serve you well.

    Tag-alongs and other seats that allow you to bring your child along are permitted, and you must sign a waiver for your child. Be aware that the climbing makes this course particularly challenging and that the roads are open to traffic.

    Class 1, pedal-assisted e-bikes are allowed at The Ranger. Riders using e-bikes will not be eligible for the gravel enduro podium.