Recap: Rooted Vermont 2022
Rooted Vermont is a gravel race in Richmond, VT. This was my second time at the race. For my recap from last year, please see here. This year, the goal of the organizers was to reach gender parity - equal participation by men and women. They achieved that goal with 800 riders from 42 states and 8 countries. In addition to men and women podiums, Rooted Vermont also had podiums for non-binary athletes and para-athletes.
An inclusive gravel race not just in talk but also in practice.
This year, the race day was August 31. I decided to travel to Richmond on the Thursday before the race. Driving from Cleveland, I reached Richmond late afternoon but with enough daylight to check out Lake Champlain and the downtown area of Burlington, VT.
Friday I rode to PK coffee shop - one of the race sponsors and met up with some friends. Later that day I participated in the All Bodies on Bikes shakeout ride which ended at the Big Spruce for the Rooted VT Reception.
Saturday was expo day peppered with multiple shakeout rides, women’s forum, gravel community chat, and other events. For me, it was an opportunity to hang out with friends and ride bikes. I also volunteered with the Untapped Maple folks to flip some pancakes in the morning. Later in the day, I rode with the Moosepacks team for their 80s themed shakeout ride.
Sunday morning, race day, was beautiful. This year, I signed up for the Big Sip route (82 miles with 8,000 ft of climbing) but I ended up riding the Little Sip course (48 miles with 4,200 ft of climbing). I think that is my limit for climbing for the distance ridden. The course traversed through beautiful Vermont country side with some difficult sections of climbing. Every time I come to Vermont I love the scenery even more.
Post race I got a chance to see my friends finish. I enjoyed a delicious post race meal and cheered the finishers.
The next day was a 10 hour full send back to home in Cleveland.
Laura King, Kristin Motley, and Ted King organize this gravel event every year and I am thankful for them to bring all these amazing people together and creating this inclusive community. For me, Rooted Vermont is a summer camp with a gravel race on the side. I get to hangout with people that I have made friends with because of this race, and ride bikes with them in beautiful Vermont over some amazing, premium, gravel roads. Time flies when you are having fun and I cannot wait for next year.
Links:
Velonews Race Coverage