Vermont 50 Mt Bike or Ultra Run - Brownsville, Vermont - Mountain Biking

The Vermont 50 Mt Bike or Ultra Run is a Mountain Biking race in Brownsville, Vermont consisting of a 50 Miles, and Running race consisting of a 50 Miles (Ultra) and 50K Run (Ultra) and 50 Mile Trail Run/Relay

50 Mile Elevation Map

50 Mile Course Description (Subject To Change)
The Vermont 50 goes through many Private Lands, which makes the race special. It also causes last minute issuesa¦ lands sold, new owners, logging, and so on. There have been a few last minute snarls which could cause some minor changes with distances between stations. This is more of an issue for Runners than bikers. We will do our best to keep these changes to a minimum.

Unlike most running events that traverse public roads, stay to the right, single file and obey all traffic laws. Public roads will be open during the event and participants will encounter motor vehicles not associated with the race. DO NOT assume right-of-way unless directed by race officials. Many of the dirt roads are narrow and cars should be given as much room to pass as possible.

Youall find out some of these changes at the mandatory pre-race meeting, please be there to hear these changes!

The Course starts on the road only 100 yards from the Registration Tent. You head down the paved Resort entrance road to Rte. 44. Sharp left, followed by an equally-sharp right turn onto unpaved Brook Rd. Now after 4/10 mi. turn left to start a 2.3 mile stretch of climbing and rolling gravel roads to the first aid station.

Now youave got about 2 miles of uphill on snowmobile ATV trail. Then 1.5 of road before your next aid station, followed by 4 more miles of trail to Skunk Hollow.

After the aid station at the Skunk Hollow Tavern (@12 mi.), the next 8 mile stretch includes less than 2 on trail. Enjoy it because itas going to change. A key feature of this course is the fact that it pretty much alternates between road and trail and gives you plenty of hills to deal with.

At mile 20 youall encounter 1812a Garvin Hill, the highest point in Hartland, and wind up over and around it before heading back south on more trails and gravel roads. This includes a long descent of Densmore Hill Road, part of the revised Vermont 100 Endurance Race course, and then back up an equally long hill trail. At about 28 miles you come out onto Reeves Rd., where the 50K route hooks back in. Now thereas over 2 miles of fairly decent dirt road, passing Smoke Rise Farm, but of course, followed by more canopied trail. Be aware that the great majority of the trails on the course are quite rideable/runnable with little in the way of rocks or roots. Almost all are part of the Green Mountain Horse Association trail network and are well maintained.

After Greenallas Aid Station at 31.9 mi there is a weaving route through the woods and meadows around Blood Hill, some steeps near the Vermont 100 finish meadow and a climb over a 1,600a attention-getter. In the last 11 miles youall be seeing alternating road and trail.

After the Johnsonas aid station you enter the Ascutney Trails network, a year-round system of non-motorized recreational trails that is highly regarded as one of Vermontas premier mountain bike networks. With one mile to go you start criss-crossing Mt. Ascutneyas lower Alpine ski slopes on mostly grassy terrain, before the dramatic descent to the finish line.

Itas worth all the effort youave expended when you can finally look down at the finish line by the base lodge and pound your way down a quarter mile of blessed downhill!

For those familiar with the Vermont 100 course, the 50 Mile is basically superimposed on the last third but actually shares less than 10 miles of it. About 2/3 (67%) of the 50 Mile course is on trails or jeep (unimproved) roads. 30% is on smooth, rolling gravel roads and 3% is on pavement. It is a challenging course, with good footing/traction, plenty of hills and classic Vermont scenery that will knock your socks off. The total vertical is about 8,900a