VTMONSTER COURSES - START AND FINISH AT STRATTON MOUNTAIN
Below are the official descriptions of the three VT Monster courses. The Nano, The Sentinel and the Titan. There will be very limited route marking and signage on the course. Where there is signage, it will to call out dangerous or important features of the course and course distance specific transitions. If you do not have the course loaded on a GPS Cycling computer (Wahoo, Karoo, Garmin) that does navigation, you will not be able to find your way on the course. If you are using your mobile phone for navigation, please make sure you have the course and maps downloaded to the RideWithGPS app on your phone. Cell service is poor to non-existent on much of the course so live mapping will not work well, if at all, if streamed.
All three courses do have some paved road sections. The Sentinel and Titan courses are over 70% gravel and the Nano has more than 65% gravel or trail. As the descriptions below highlight, there are limited class IV sections so 700c 38mm or wider tires would be our recommendation. Our course designer recently rode both course with 40mm Maxxis Rambler’s at 38 psi and thought that was about perfect for the day. Fast rolling when needed but plenty of give and traction when the course demanded it. Obviously tire choice is very individual and you should ride with whatever you are most comfortable with.
One other important note about the ride. We will have 4 support vehicles out on the courses to provide limited support with minor mechanical and tire issues. Please plan ahead and get your bike serviced before you come up to ride. Nothing is faster and more comfortable than a well maintained and clean bike. Because this course is long and riders will be very spread out we cannot guarantee we can get you support. Please make sure you have everything you need to fix flats and do minor repairs on your bike. We recommend that you ride in groups of 2 or more and check in with riders who may be stopped along the side of the road. You could be a hero for them and us by providing a quick fix. You can also relay the message of their issue and approximate mileage at a rest stop or to a road crew up the course.
VT MONSTER COMMAND CENTER FOR ANY ISSUES DURING THE RIDE
Plug this number into your phone now! VT Monster / B2VT Command Center at 802-444-1390.
Texting is the best way to reach the command center as the course is very rural and cell service can be weak. Text messages can typically send even with a weak cellular signal. Command center personnel will text you back a response quickly. In a medical or other extreme emergency please call 911 first and then check in with the command center.
Riders may need to send someone up to road to an area with cell service to report an emergency to 911 and the command center. Please note the mileage on the course where the emergency occurred.
Important Recommendations:
Get your bike serviced before you come up to VT.
Inspect your tires for minor cuts and significant wear.
Replace worn tires and test ride before the event.
If your tires check out, add sealant to ensure they won’t let you down
Clean your drive train and lube your chain
The Monsters
VT Monster Nano Course – 48 Miles – Don't be fooled by the Nano Monster, it packs a punch in its pint size. After few rollers and scenic down hill to Jamaica, the course makes a sharp right turn on to the first big climb of the day. There is one tough class IV section on Mowery Road that has a steep, technical and loose decent followed by a stiff climb that will likely require a dismount at the peak. Then a long technical decent bringing you to the river river trail. This year we have to ride around the West River Trail and the Devils Staircase due extensive debris and trail damage from heavy rains last year. We’ll route around on Route 30 to the Townshend Dam, where you'll find the rest stop before the final 22 mile climb back up to Stratton Mountain.
VT Monster Sentinel Course – 78 Miles – – The Stalwart Sentinel is our original Monster distance. The course is mostly gravel roads but has a few challenging nuggets. 1 Class IV section just after Rest stop 2 that has some wet spots and rough terrain. It trends downward and is rideable but if in doubt, dismount. There are a few wet rocky sections and better safe then sorry. There are two ripping descents, stay in control, bringing you down to Rt 30. This year we have to ride around the West River Trail and the Devils Staircase due extensive debris and trail damage from heavy rains last year. We’ll route around on Route 30 to the Townshend Dam, where you'll find the rest stop before the final 22 mile climb back up to Stratton Mountain.
VT Monster Titan – 101 Miles – The Astral Titan is the colossal beast of the day. The course largely follows the 78 mile Sentinel but has 3 leg crushing divergents adding spectacular views and gravity defying vertical. This course shares the Class IV section just after Rest stop 2 and the descents to RT 30. This year we have to ride around the West River Trail and the Devils Staircase due extensive debris and trail damage from heavy rains last year. We’ll route around on Route 30 to the Townshend Dam, where you'll find rest stop 3. From there it is 33 miles back up to Stratton Mount and the finish. Make sure you stock up on water and fuel!
The Segments
VT Monster - The First Match! Starts in the town of Weston and climbs Moses Pond Road – The climb is not too bad overall, but it’s early in the ride and it’ll be easy to burn a match or a few more than you should. This segment is only on the Sentinel and the Titan.
VT Monster - Big Bear The second segment starts just after the Rest Stop at the Dam. Once you pass through the Scott Covered Bridge and get back on the gravel, the Big Bear segment begins. This one is long and has a couple steep pitches. It almost seems unfair for us to have this segment on the first 5 of the final 20 miles back up to Stratton… almost. Check your matchbook here and see what you’ve got, it’s still 15 miles to the finish after this little challenge so spend wisely. This segment is on all three distances, the Nano, The Sentinel and the Titan.
These segments are on Strava for bragging rights and will also be in the official RideWithGPS courses for timing and prizes.
The Details
Course Time Cut Offs – Both the 78 and 101 will have course time cut offs. These are for your safety and to ensure you’ll have support on the course. There will be signage and road crew stationed at these locations at the cut off times.
2:15 PM the Titan and Sentinel courses will be closed and riders not through miles 53 and 65 will be redirected to the B2VT course and the finish.
3:15 PM the Titan riders not through mile 75 on the Titan 101 will be redirected to continue on the Sentinel 78 course.
4:30 PM the Titan riders not through mile 91.5 will be redirected to finish on the Sentinel 78 course.
2024 VT Monster Courses
The 2024 VT Monster Official Courses: We are using RideWithGPS event timing again this year for timed segments. Each distance has their own segments, one on the Nano and two on both the Sentinel and the Titan. You will need to have an existing RideWithGPS account or create a free one to download the courses. Participation in the segment timing component is totally optional. We’ll have some cool prizes for the fastest riders but this is for fun and bragging rights. If you choose to participate, you’ll need to upload your ride to the RideWithGPS account you used to download the route at least 15 minutes before the podiums are scheduled (timing below). You can upload later to see how you stack up but the prizes will be locked in at podium time.
3:45 PM - Cut off for the Nano 48 and Sentinel 78 ride upload to qualify for the Segment KOM ranking.
4:00 PM - RideWithGPS timed Segment KOM awards for the Nano 48 and the Sentinel 78.
5:00 PM - Cut off for the Titan 101 ride upload to qualify for the Segment KOM ranking.
5:15 PM - RideWithGPS timed Segment KOM awards for the Titan 101.
How do I get the course? All riders will receive an email invitation to download the course for the event distance you are registered for. If you want to change event distance after you’ve RSVP’s to the event, that can be done at packet pickup. Simple instructions on RSVPing to the RideWithGPS event (once you get your email invitation). We’ll also be able to help you with this process at packet pickup.
How do I upload my ride to be included in the Segment KOM or see how I stacked up? Uploading your ride from your device is a little tricky as there are many types of devices and apps that can record rides and provide navigation. Many modern devices can do it directly to RidewithGPS, others will require your to upload the ride file to the RidewithGPS website directly. Here’s the support page on RidewithGPS’s site with may upload options and instructions. In addition, we can try to help you at the finish but you will need to know your RidewithGPS account information and you may need the specific USB cable for your device. Again this part of the ride is completely optional if you aren’t interested timing or the effort to upload your ride, there is no need to do so.
Additional course options. In the RidewithGPS collection linked here, you’ll fine the bailout course for the Titan 101 and the Sentinel 78. This course joins the B2VT course to the finish. This is also the cut off route mentioned above for riders not through the intersection of Round Hill Road and RT 30 by 2:15 PM. B2VT Rest Stop 4 is marked on this route to use if you need to refuel. You will also find routes that include an addition option to stop if you need something on the final climb to stratton. This is not an official stop but is a full Market. The weather Saturday looks ideal with comfortable temps for the day, but if you didn’t get what you need at the rest stop, the Wardsboro Market is an option. VT Monster Optional Routes.
