Gorey Hollows VII

Gorey Hollows VII

The Gorey Hollows features some of the SKOV (Southwest Kingdom of Vermont’s) most scenic (and gnar) ATB riding.  Plus ya know, Class 4 roads which are dirt roads that are not generally maintained and sorta left to fall to pieces. Poultney’s road maintenance budget is basically non-existent, so our class 4 roads are wonderfully terrible.  Expect wash outs, ‘gravel’ the size of GMO grapefruits, steep hike a bike grades and wonderful views. The ride weaves in and out of the woods and farm lands.  Plenty of climbing but lots of great eye candy, like cows and red barns.  

Gorey Hollows VIII features 4 ride options for ‘26.  There's the classic brutal 90 mile ATB race, with the rocky class 4 roads and extended hike a bikes, the 60 mile Scramble (pick any two of the ATB race loops) and the Ramble (pick any 1 of the ATB race loops). We also have added in an ‘Amble’ ride, for folks who wanna get out and enjoy the changing seasons but don't want to walk up some terrible climb or do huge miles.  Finally, we're making the ‘Just hanging out’ option permanent.  If you or your friend / partner / etc wants to just come, drink some good coffee, eat a donut, and chow down on some dinner, this is the category for you.  More info on the ride options at the bottom of these notes. 

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 cancelations.  It's like a concert, not a dinner reservation.   

If you are racing, your race fee gets you dinner, but not breakfast, cause no one is eating anything at 4am.  If you are doing any of the other categories, your entry fee gets you a pour over coffee, a handmade donut, and a big autumnal dinner spread from our friends at the Poultney Pub.

A note about camping: in the past, we've had folks sign up for camping thru bikereg.  This year, we're doing the camping registration thru hip camp.  It'll cost you less if you're in a group or even if there is just two of you.  We'll email info about camping sign ups to you as soon as you register.  

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. 

The Amble is 15ish miles. Dirt roads, a rail trail, a class 4 road, one big hill. It's doable, chill, you can use any bike that isn't a road bike, more or less. Ideally 38mm plus tires and low gearing. James will be leading this ride, very slow group pace.

The Ramble is 30ish miles, dirt roads, plenty of climbing, bushwacking, singletrack 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.  This is a very hard 30 miles. It took ramblers over 5 hours last year. Self Navigated.

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.  Self Navigated.

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.  1 rider finished the race last year, out of a field of 25 or so.  Starts early.  Totally self supported old school race.   Winner gets a nice alloy ATB wheelset, second place gets pie and third some donuts.  You have to do all 3 loops to win, in any order.  Loops are directional. You can pick which to start with but you have to do them in a set direction. Self Navigated.

Rules for 2026 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.  

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 impassable 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.  Amblers leave at 11am. Donuts and coffee at 7:30am and 9am

Equipment requirements for 30, 60 and 90 mile ride:

  • Sturdy walking shoes
  • Low enough gearing to make it up 15% grades that are loose and wet
  • 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 rode 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! 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.