Gorey Hollows VI: Race, Scramble and Ramble Oct 5th 2024
The 6th Annual Gorey Hollows ATB Ramble, Scramble and Race.
All Routes are self navigated with minimal or no sag. You'll get a GPS track and some notes, that's it. No sag, no medical support, nothing but a nice camp fire to come back to and some good food.
All Analog events are rain or shine. If you think you can't make it, get the event insurance, it's only a few bucks. No refunds for cancellations. It's like a concert, not a dinner reservation.
We’re revamping the Gorey Hollows format for ‘24. In the spirit of Choose Your Own Adventure books (originally published in Vermont!) you decide your destiny. Three possible loops. Racers have to do all 3, but pick the order of the loops. Scramblers pick any 2 and choose the order. Ramblers pick one. Loops start and end at the sugar house HQ, so you can restock on water, food, clothing. No changing bikes though. You gotta make it through with one bike, one set of wheels, no big changes.
The Ramble is 30ish miles, dirt roads, plenty of climbing, and some sketchy class 4 roads. Doable on a bike with decently low gearing and 50mm tires. One of the loops has less than 4k of climbing, most ramblers will probably want to do that.
The Scramble is 60ish miles. Very difficult, even if you pick the easiest loop and one of the two hard loops. Many riders will not finish the scramble. You need to bring lights in case you get caught in the dark. Lots of folks will not finish the 60 miles before sundown.
The Race is 90ish miles, with around 13,000 feet of climbing. Singletrack, horrible rocky roads, check points, hike a bikes, and other sketch delights. Hardest, most ridiculous ATB ride you'll ever do, we bet. 5 riders finished the race last year, out of a field of 25 or so. Starts early. Totally self supported old school race. Winner gets a pie and some donuts. You have to do all 3 loops to win, in any order.
Rules for 2024 race:
- To podium, the following stuff is banned: Aero Bars, Suspension forks, suspension frames, suspension Seatposts and stems. E bikes are of course banned. You can race with any of this stuff, but your results will not count toward the official record.
- Mandatory Race time cuts so we are not up till 11pm waiting for you to come back.
- One bike, one set of wheels and tires. No swapping bikes like it’s a cross race.
- Racers can refuel, change clothes, take naps, at Analog HQ in between loops.
- Mandatory check in after every loop.
Mileage wise, these rides are a bunt. But when those miles take place on 120 year old disused 'roads' that more closely resemble the bed of a trout stream, you are in for some very hard miles. Up and over mountain saddles, through dark hollows and down into deep gores, past waterfalls, 200 year old stone walls meandering to forgotten homesteads, and finally back to Analog.
Lest you think that we misspelled Gorey, a Gore in Vermont is an area of forgotten, unsurveyed, uninhabited land, usually deep in the woods.
The Gorey Hollows is a different kinda ride. No ride leader. No sag wagon. It's more like a free for all with a common course and goal. These roads are impassible to all but the most modified jeeps. Nothing is marked. You have to use your cue sheet and a GPS track to make it through.That's not impossible, but you have to pay attention. There won't be any cell service for most of the ride. We will release the GPX track a few days before the race via email.
Pre Ride Stuff:
Racers: get here at 4:00, race starts at 5am. Scramblers: Leave at 8am. Ramblers: Leave at 10am.
Equipment requirements for 60 and 90 mile ride:
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Low enough gearing to make it up 15% grades that are loose and wet
- Lights, 700 lumen min.
- Spare battery / head lamp is a must have.
- Tail light that has a solid mode and is set to said solid mode.
- Spare tubes/tubeless patch kits
- Tire boots
- GPS or Phone with GPS ability with some sort of back up battery situation.
- Ride with GPS or GAIA.
- 1.75" / 44mm wide tires or bigger. Advise 2.25 or bigger. Most past winners ride 2.8” tires.
- Basic tools and bike repair know-how in case you break down
- First Aid stuff.
- There are no sag wagons! There is no way to get out of the woods! Be safe. Ride Smart.
Post ride:
Fire pit hangs at the old Analog Sugar House. Cheer on racers as they finish laps and become more and more worn out! Optional Autumn Feast provided by our friends at Poultney Pub. If you saw the taco scene at the 4x4 you know these will be good. Optional camping at the Analog HQ as well. We’ll have some refreshments, but mainly this is a BYOB kinda deal.
