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Dirt Rag Articles
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The Early Bird Catches the Ride
It’s not easy talking my friends into getting up at 5 a.m. on a weekend to drive three and a half hours each way for a one-day mountain bike trip. And it probably wouldn’t even be worth the effort to coax, cajole, convince or threaten them to do it either. Unless the trip is to Kingdom Trails in East Burke, Vermont.
East Burke, in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, is home to the best mountain biking in the United States. Oh yeah, I said that. The best. I know, I know, there’s plenty of great riding out there, but Kingdom Trails puts everything you could want in a trail network in one complete package. You get more than 100 miles of rolling, rocking, ripping singletrack-every inch is fun. That’s not even the best part-the best part is the fact that the trails are superbly maintained, mapped and marked.
You see, here’s one of my peeves about some of the other places I’ve ridden: I’ve had beautiful trail maps that were useless because there wasn’t a sign to be found on the trails, and I’ve had outdated maps that lead to trails that have long since become overgrown. The beauty of this place, aside from, well, its beauty, is that you can look at a map, say you want to ride Loop to Poundcake to Fenceline to Coronary and on and on and on, and then actually follow the signs on the trail. It rules.
I presented these facts to my friends, and they reluctantly agreed to strap their bikes to my roof and pile into my van. Perhaps more so because they knew I would not relent. I knew it was worth it; my girlfriend and I had spent almost a week up there on vacation a month prior. We knew we’d have to go back.
We gathered our groggy friends, packed up, picked up and hit the road by about seven o’clock in the morning. After getting there, eating and gearing up, the six of us were on the trail by around noon. We hit the above mentioned trails and Todry’s Tour (an awesome descent), Webs (which is a blast through tight, twisty, tree-lined trails), Jaw, Beat Bog (a tight, twisty stretch of fun), and so much more.
Every trail was awesome, with enough hills and technical challenges to satisfy experienced riders, but easy enough overall for beginners-and the views are simply spectacular.
The entire network of trails exists due to the hard work of the Kingdom Trails Association. The KTA is a non-profit group that works with local land-owners, and since about 90 percent of the trails are on private land, this is a pretty big deal. The KTA also handles the mapping, marking and maintenance of the trails. In my opinion, they are heaven-sent.
After about four hours on the trail, I was truly sad that the day was over and it was time to head out. But the trip did end on a bright note: everyone wanted to know when were going back. My answer? Soon…very soon.
Know Before You Go
It costs $5 for a one-day trail pass, or you can become a member for $20 ($15 of which is tax deductible, and the other $5 goes towards a map). It is a pittance to pay for the privilege to ride these trails since the money goes towards maintenance. The KTA does so much work there, anyone who just skips on the trail without paying deserves whatever bad karma they incur. You can get the hook-up at East Burke Sports.
Getting There
From Interstate 91, take exit 23 (Route 5), towards Lyndon, Lyndonville and Burke Ski Mountain. In Lyndonville, follow signs to Route 114 towards East Burke and Burke Ski Mountain. East Burke Sports is on the left, where you can get your maps and a membership.
Featured Trails
After you get your membership and map, whip out your highlighter and mark off these great rides, courtesy of the Kingdom Trails Association:
Beginner Ride - This will give you a taste of what’s out there. You’ll want more…
From East Burke Sports, head up East Darling Hill Road to the top of Darling Hill. Take a right at the top and then a left to enter the trails. Ride Loop to River Run, Violets Outback, cross Darling Hill Road and follow VAST Back to the village.
8–10 miles, 2 hours at a beginner pace.
Intermediate Ride - Want more? Here’s more. This is all great stuff, with more turns and trails to follow.
Head up East Darling Hill Road to the top of Darling Hill. Take a right at the top and then a left to enter the trails. Ride Loop to Lower Poundcake, right on Coronary to Fence Line, Pastore Point Loop, Bog Meadow, up Coronary, Loop to Bemis, Tody’s Tour, Beaver Path (the new section built in summer 2001) to River Run, Webs, River Run, Dry Feet, West Branch, Violets Outback, cross Darling Hill Road, ride VAST to Knob, VAST to East Branch, Easy Out to VAST, Bill Magill to Widow Maker, Pines, VAST to Sugar House Run and Kitchel back to E.B. Village.
About 1,250 feet of climbing. 14 miles, 2–3 hours at an intermediate pace.
Shops
East Burke Sports (802.626.3215) is right in town and at the start of many rides, but a little further down the road, in Lyndonville, you’ll find The Village Sport Shop (802.626.8488).
Eats
In East Burke, you’ve got a few choices for good food. Across from East Burke Sports is Bailey’s Burke (802.626.9250). They have a great selection of convenience store style foods and fresh bagels, pizza, sandwiches and other baked goods-all perfect for a pre-ride fueling session.
Around the back you’ll find the Pub Outback (802.626.1188), and there you can get tasty pub food. There are more restaurants down the road in Lyndonville, and one not to miss is the Lyndonville Diner. Mmmm-mmm-mmmm.
Sleeps
When I went up there on vacation, I camped at Burke Mountain (802.626.3322/802.626.1390). The trails run right past the campground, and they are all downhill from there. That means you have a long climb back when the day is done. Shuttle anyone?
The campground was nice and the guy who runs it was helpful in determining where else to go and what else to do (like hiking and paddling at nearby Lake Willoughby).
If your tastes are more refined and you want a nice soft bed, there are plenty of Inns and B&B’s, and a couple of hotels. You can contact the Kingdom Trails Association for a listing and recommendations.
Contact
www.kingdomtrails.org
info@kingdomtrails.org
802.626.0737
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