{"id":2391,"date":"2023-07-02T22:32:13","date_gmt":"2023-07-02T22:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flowstatemtbfestival.com\/vt\/?page_id=2391"},"modified":"2023-07-02T22:32:13","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T22:32:13","slug":"2023-guided-rides","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/flowstatemtbfestival.com\/sandbox\/2023-guided-rides\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Guided Rides"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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2024 details will be announced soon!<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign up for our guided rides and explore what Ascutney Trails has to offer with local guides. We\u2019ll have options for families, youths, beginner, intermediate, advanced and ladies-only guided rides too! Sign up is at the event only at the Ascutney Trails Association tent. Rides will go out at 9am, 10am, 1pm & 2pm all weekend.<\/em> * NOTE: All mileage and elevation are a mapped estimate and may vary<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have rated our rides using our Flow State Tech Rating. <\/em><\/strong>Click here to learn your rating!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Route Descriptions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Evening Rides<\/strong> **New for 2023**<\/em> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Experience true adventuring on the Ascutney Trails network on one of our evening rides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll meet at 7.30pm and make sure everyone has working lights. We\u2019ll head out as the sun starts to lower in the sky and wrap up in the dark. Remember, we lose light fast in the woods!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must supply your own lighting system to adequately illuminate the trail in front of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ride will take a free-form route determined by the guides, depending on the group and conditions.  Expect to be out for an hour and a half, give or take.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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E-Bike Epics<\/strong> **New for 2023**<\/em> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Join some of our Ascutney Trails E-bike regulars for a guided ride just for e-bikes.  Riders can BYO their own MTB EBikes or demo one from the vendors at the fest. Bikes should be mountain bike specific, and class 1 E-bikes only (pedal-assist, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph).These rides will take a free-form route determined by the local guides, depending on the group and conditions.  Expect to be out for approximately 2 hours, give or take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An e-bike expert from one of our sponsors will join each ride so you\u2019ll have an opportunity to learn more during the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charging stations will be available for recharging your batteries during the weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Daily Routes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

**New for 2023**<\/em> Green Fields and Forest Pines <\/strong>\u2013 Beginner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A true beginner ride, you’ll start at elevation and enjoy a dirt road warm up cruise down to some field views of Mount Ascutney.  A fun singletrack loop through the pines, then back up to the top of Mile Long Field to finish with the iconic Hay Ride downhill before heading back to the Ascutney Outdoors Center.
4.5 miles*
426 ft elevation gain*
Tech Rating: 3
Trailhead: Town Forest
Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/green-fields-and-forest-pines\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Wind Up Glide Down <\/strong>– Beginner <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a warm up on Gravelle\u2019s Grinder, climb the meandering Wind Up for valley views as you head into the forest via Last Mile to the Utility Road and Deer Run for some lower angle singletrack. Popping out into Mile Long Field you\u2019ll ride the iconic Hayride and finish with one last switchback climb up Home Again before traversing boardwalks back to the AOC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.5 miles*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

539 ft elevation gain*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow State Tech Rating: 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead: AOC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/wind-up-glide-down\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Swoops and Loops <\/strong>– Beginner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most fun you’ll have on a novice trail. Ride the iconic Swoops and Loops trail clockwise This ride is well-suited to families and beginners of all ages with terrain and features that help riders get comfortable: wide bridges, boardwalks and a variety of double and singletrack. One steep hill and switchback can be walked up or down, depending on the comfort of the rider. Ride it all or choose a loop, it all swoops!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.5 miles*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

294 ft elevation gain*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow State Tech Rating: 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead: State Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/swoops-and-loops\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lou\u2019s Loop <\/strong>– Advanced Beginner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This loop caters for the advanced beginner, Ascutney-style. It includes some intermediate terrain that the real beginner may find challenging, yet help with progression: rocky brook crossings and side-hill single-track are all worth the trip, even if you feel more comfortable walking your bike on these short sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.0 miles*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

661 ft elevation gain*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow State Tech Rating: 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead: AOC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/lou-s-loop\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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**New for 2023**<\/em> Stroll to the Grassy Knoll <\/strong>\u2013 Intermediate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start from the Town Forest on a tour out to one of our favorites, the Grassy Knoll.  You\u2019ll ride some tech roots and rocks along the way, then flow your way down Southern Belle. Make your way back to the Ascutney Outdoors Center on some classic cruisy Ascutney single track, with a stop to take in the view from the top of Mile Long Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.3 miles*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

957 ft elevation gain*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow State Tech Rating: 5-6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead: Town Forest<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/stroll-to-the-grassy-knoll\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Field and Forest Cruising <\/strong>– Intermediate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A moderate tour from the AOC Trail head of mostly flowy terrain on classic Ascutney singletrack. Enjoy valley views from the fields and ski slopes when not in the forest. You\u2019ll encounter boardwalks, bridges (not too skinny) and rock gardens, and finish with downhill flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.3 miles*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

678 ft elevation gain*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow State Tech Rating: 5-6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead: AOC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/field-and-forest-crusin\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ascutney Iconic <\/strong>– Intermediate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is true Ascutney and features our signature singletrack, switchbacks, brook crossings, bridges and rock gardens. The ride ends with our new flow trail for a happy flow finish. The higher mileage and few sections of advanced trail make this more of an advanced intermediate ride, and is a great sampling of both our ski area\/mountainside trails and our Town Forest network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.1 miles*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1,295 ft elevation gain*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flow State Tech Rating: 6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailhead: AOC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailforks: https:\/\/www.trailforks.com\/route\/ascutney-iconic\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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**New for 2023**<\/em> Norcross <\/strong>\u2013 Advanced<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to guided rides for Flow State 2023, this route climbs up the ski area and then traverses out to the State Park. The terrain is not our most technical but the overall length of the ride makes it not for the faint of heart.  A hefty climb up from the AOC will bring you to the iconic Quarry Lookout on the Brownsville hiking trail. You’ll the share a short portion of the Brownsville trail with hikers, then start the single track traverse over to the State Park via some spectacular bridges and fun flow, finishing with a loop on one of our favorites, Swoops and Loops before heading back the way you came. This is unique to New England mountain bike riding that features a 3+ mile stretch of trail with no trail intersections to interrupt the ride. Only a few trail systems in Vermont can claim this type of riding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three options to enjoy this ride at FlowState:<\/p>\n\n\n\n