Kirt's Specialized AllRide Tour; AllRight by me.

  

                                                               Photo by: Patrick Kell

Wednesday was a beautiful day to get out and ride.  What I love about getting out and  riding is the people you run into or meet along the way.  It's not every day that you get to run into someone that is like Kirt Voreis, though. It was great to see Kirt and his lovely wife Lindsey out riding here in Vermont.

I remember Kirt from way back when my high school friends and I would make our yearly pilgrimage to Mt. Snow to race mountain bikes with the likes of Kirt, a new pro rider who was ripping  up the mountain bike scene.  This is where I got see people I only got to read about in Mountain Bike Action or hear about through the local race circuit.  But it was never all about the racing.  It was about being with like-minded people and riding our bikes, plain and simple.  This is where the heart of Kirt's message lies with his new Allride Tour: getting out and riding bikes anywhere with anyone, especially kids. Who would have guessed that as I stood watching the naked crit at Mt. Snow back in '95, screaming and yelling, that it would all come full circle years later with good people, on bikes, in the great state of Vermont? So here's to Kirt, Lindsey and the Allride Tour and all the great work they're doing, all while having a lot of fun and doing what they love, spreading the singletrack word and their love of mountain biking and, hey, who could argue that?

Thanks guys for a great few days!

Now go get outside and ride your bike.

T.

Millstone Hill; get there.

With terrain like this it still amazes me at how many people either don't know about Mill Stone Hill or simply over look it but what is for sure is that they have a friend and supporter in me. In just the last few years things have taken off and the trails seem alive due to one groups tireless efforts in this particular area of single track that Sarah and I chose to explore today and are very fond of. If you haven't checked out Millstone Hill do yourself a favor and get there. I will admit it took me a year to find my way around and discover my favorite trails and link them together, but Mill Stone Hill is sure to please. People are always friendly and sure to help show you around. Stop by the visitor center in Websterville where Pierre Couture can recommend a trail or loop and share some of the local history where one feels like a ride back in time as you tour the many historic Granite quarries that make this area famous. But make no mistake I can foresee its not to long before Mill Stone Hill becomes a bit more famous for their single track rather than their long lost Granite quarries as one need not ride far to discover just what kind of ripping single track is alive and well at... Mill Stone Hill Touring and recreation Center

Oh and don't forget the Mill Stone Grind which gains more and more popularity every year. Andrew Wellman does a phenomenal job organizing and getting this race together. Check it out here.... The Mill Stone Grind

Now get out there and see it for yourself, and keep up the good work guys I'll see you soon enough.

T.

Easter; one of our favorite times to ride.

Easter Sunday is becoming a traditional first ride of the season for us, getting together with good friends and getting outside - on bikes! The last two years the Onion River Sports crew has made the trip to Pine Hill Park, a network of trails for walking, mountain biking, running, or taking the dog out. It's a destination that always has us chomping at the bit to ride our first singletrack of the year. With over 16 miles of trails and 300 acres there is more than enough riding in a day for any rider. If you haven't been there yet, you're missing out on some of central Vermont's best singletrack. The folks at PHP put an amazing amount of hard work into these trails which is evident the second you start riding; and thankfully they've been noticed: park creator Michael Smith was recently given an award for his work in Rutland.

From the smooth flowiness of Svelte tiger to the rough techiness of Stegosaurus, PHP is worth your attention. A lot of people think trails like this just pop up or materialize out of nowhere. But PHP's trails are a testament to many hours of hard work by volunteers and one man's vision and guidance, Michael Smith and the Pine Hill Partnership. If it were not for this partnership PHP would not be what it is today. So what are you waiting for? check PHP out at
http://www.pinehillpark.org/php/Pine_Hill_Park_Welcome.html ; their website gives you more than enough info to find your way down to where hours of single track await you. And there are maps at the trailhead!

Chris sharing his Easter candy!

Jason ripping it up.

Sarah with her new bike and a great smile!

A great example of how Snack got his nickname that fateful day in Stowe.

The Kipper

PHP has made some great improvements even since we were there last year, and we were impressed by the workmanship. The next time you find yourself on great singletrack on a beautiful day with good friends, think about that trail after you ride. Ask yourself about volunteering one day this year to help maintain and give back to a place that brings you so much, so that maybe someone else can feel that same way. Plus, we can all help Vermont maintain its reputation as having some of the best single track here in New England! Or...maybe we should keep that a secret.

Oh and be sure to find Aaron's Air during your ride for a little air time!!

Happy spring everyone, now go get outside. - T.

Happy Trails! - S.