Welcome…

Vermont Overland exists to celebrate effort, community, and the rugged beauty of traversing a landscape under your own will. We have no bureaucratic agenda; we simply hope to inspire movement, adventure, and a deeper appreciation for the places you explore.

What began in 2013 as a small gravel ride through Vermont's forgotten Class 4 roads has grown into a weekend of running, riding, camping, live music, local food, and thousands of people coming together around a shared love of adventure. While a lot has changed over the years, our philosophy hasn't: build challenging and memorable courses, support the communities that host us, leave every place better than we found it, and never lose sight of why we started.

If we've learned one thing after more than a decade of hosting these events, it's that preparation leads to a better adventure. This manual contains everything you need to know before arriving—from schedules, course information, and navigation to safety guidelines, parking, camping, and race-day logistics. Give it a thorough read now so you can spend less time asking questions on event weekend and more time enjoying the experience.

Finally, thank you. Vermont Overland only exists because of the participants who show up ready to challenge themselves, the volunteers who give their time, the landowners and towns who welcome us, our charitable partners, and the brands that believe in everything we do. We're incredibly grateful to have you here.

Now let's go have some fun.

Before you arrive…

  • Download the latest course routes and navigation files.

  • Read the safety information for your event.

  • Double-check parking and camping instructions.

  • Review the weekend schedule so you don't miss the fun.

Schedule of events

Friday, August 14th, 2026 (Expo, bib pick up, food & live music)

  • 2:00 pm – Camping & event expo opens at Ascutney Outdoors.

  • 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Runner & rider bib pick up at Ascutney Outdoors.

  • 5:00 to 8:00 pm – Pre-ride party & cookout with The Brownsville Butcher & Pantry.

  • 5:00 pm – Mountain Mile, prizes and more. (free fun run for kids & anyone else brave enough)

  • 6:00 pm – Live music: The Gr8tful Folk with Erik Boedtker

Saturday, August 15th, 2026 (Vermont Overland BIKE)

  • 6:00 am – Parking rush begins! CARPOOL. Arrive early and listen to our parking volunteers! 

  • 6:00 to 8:30 am – Bib pick up at Ascutney Outdoors, free coffee + breakfast items served by THULE. Donations to Ascutney Outdoors appreciated.

  • 9:00 am – RACE START Mass start: everyone starts together. Neutral rollout for the first 1.5 miles.

  • 1:00 to 7:00 pm – Post-ride party & cookout with The Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, Untapped Maple creemees and more. Bib pick up for runners continued. 

  • 4:00 pm – Podium ceremony near the finish line. (top three overall women, men, and NB only)

  • 5:00 pm – Charity raffle with awesome prizes. (Buy tickets at the Vermont Overland merch booth)

  • 6:00 pm – Live Music: Johnny Spampinato & The Value Leaders

  • 8:30 pm – Fireside chat & smores with TRACKSMITH & THULE.

  • 9:30 pm – Lights out! Please respect everyone camping at the venue.

Sunday, August 16th, 2026 (Vermont Overland RUN)

  • 6:00 to 8:30 am – Bib pick up at Ascutney Outdoors, free coffee + breakfast items served by TRACKSMITH. (Donations to Ascutney Outdoors appreciated.)

  • 9:00 am – RACE START.  Mass start: everyone starts together.

  • 12:00 to 3:00 pm – Post-run party & cookout with The Brownsville Butcher & Pantry, Untapped Maple creemees and more.

  • 1:30 pm – Awards ceremony near the finish line. (top 3 women, men, and NB for both race distances & top 3 overall Overland TROPHY only)

  • 4:00 pm – Venue clean up... care to help??? (: 

  • 5:00 pm – camping closes!

BIKE Course Info

Vermont Overland BIKE: General Course Info

  • 49.5 miles 

  • 6,000ft of elevation gain (give or take a little…)

  • 7 Class4 unmaintained road sectors

  • 2 Aid Stations p/b Untapped Maple – please start the ride with everything you need to complete it SELF-SUPPORTED! Our Aid Stations are managed by volunteers and should be treated as extra hydration/fuel, but only if you need it.

  • SELF NAV! We have been conducting a self-navigated gravel event for 8 years in a row now. Please come prepared with the route pre-downloaded to our bicycle computer, or printed cue sheets in your pocket.

  • LINK TO OFFICIAL 2026 ROUTE

  • LINK TO OUR RIDE WITH GPS OVERLAND EXPERIENCE PAGE – use this for free turn-by-turn navigation functionality on Ride with GPS as well as some route options to preview sections of the course.

  • LINK TO OFFICIAL TCX and FIT FILES – when uploading ride files to any bike computer, we only recommend that you use our official TCX or FIT file downloaded from the link above or from our official Ride with GPS course.

  • LINK TO CUE SHEETS

BIKE Course Tips:

  • REMEMBER: The Overland is a self-navigated & self-supported bicycle race!

  • Study and download the route to your device BEFORE arriving to the event.

  • Make a ride plan and pace yourself.

  • Bring enough food and water. Don’t be fooled by The Overland’s “short” length. Most folks finish within the 5-hour window.

  • Bring extra tubes, sealant, and CO2’s. Our support vehicles are out on-course for medical emergencies, not to fix your flats.

  • DESCEND SLOWLY. These roads are no joke and there’s plenty of climbing to make up time. DO NOT race down the descents.

BIKE Course Navigation:

  • Self Navigation: We made the switch to full-self navigation back in 2017 and it’s proven to be the BEST way to keep these events running in a smooth, safe, and sustainable manner. Once you depart Ascutney Outdoors on event day, you’re on open roads, subject to all normal traffic laws, and self navigating the course. Through our Ride with GPS account, all participants will have access to our custom-made course cues and Ride with GPS premium navigation features.

  • HERE’S HOW TO ACCESS THE VERMONT OVERLAND RWGPS EXPERIENCE AND ROUTE:

New Ride with GPS Users:

1. Download the Ride with GPS app.

2. Tap Open Shortcut.

3. Enter shortcut code: OVERLAND2026

4. Enter your required information and download the Overland Experience package.

Existing Ride with GPS Users:

1. Launch the app and sign into your account if you are not already logged in.

2. From the home screen, tap More >> Open Shortcut.

3. Enter shortcut code: OVERLAND2026

4. Enter your required information and download the OVERLAND Experience package.

GPS Device Users:

1. Click this link to access the OVERLAND Experience page online: https://ridewithgps.com/experiences/41651?app_code=OVERLAND2026

2. Click the Download icon next to the route to download the route to your computer or device. Or download them directly here.

3. Transfer the route to your device following the steps at Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/help/mobile-app-experiences#gps-device

Troubleshooting:

For any technical questions, please see the Ride with GPS Experience help page (https://ridewithgps.com/help/mobile-app-experiences/) or email info@ridewithgps.com – they will be happy to help.

Rules & Rider Safety

Vermont Overland BIKE – Race Rules & Safety:

  • Helmets and a fully functional and safe up-to-date bicycle are required. Duh.

  • This event is conducted on OPEN ROADS. All riders are required to follow all normal traffic rules, including stopping at intersections, looking both ways, and riding to the right side of the road. We have many police officers and course marshals out on course but riding safe is up to you.

  • Ride within control. This event is won on the uphills NOT the descents! Descending on gravel and class4 un-maintained roads is extremely dangerous. Please be careful.

  • We have zero-tollerance for “super-tucking”. If we see a rider in this position and going too fast down a descent, they will be disqualified.

  • The course has very limited cell service. Come prepared and make sure you have the route pre-downloaded to your cellular device, GPS bike computer, and print out those cue sheets as backup!

  • CUT OFF TIME at Aid Station #1 (mile-24.8 on course) is 2:00 PM. If you are not at the first Aid Station by 2:00 PM, you will be asked to ride back to the venue via Tyson Rd, Rt 106, and Rt 44. This is to ensure that you don’t miss the after party. Also for your safety.

  • In case of emergency: call 911. If there’s no service, notify a fellow rider to call for help or flag down a VO support vehicle, or make your way to the nearest aid station. 

  • Emergency services will be on call all day and we’ll have EMT’s at each aid station and in some support vehicles.

  • Participants are expected to come prepared for all potential weather conditions.

  • All riders are expected to read and know our rider code of conduct.

Results & Awards

Individual and age-group results for all races will be available shortly after you finish by the 802 timing trailer near the finish line. They’ll also be posted online shortly after each race is finished. For past years results please visit our website here.

We’ll be recognizing our top three women, men and non-binary runners, riders, and TROPHY seekers overall with prizes from Class IV Designs, Tracksmith, THULE, Suunto, and Wahoo.

Awards will be presented at 4:00 pm on Saturday and 1:30 pm on Sunday near the finish line.

Pre & Post-Race Food

The Brownsville Butcher & Pantry will be serving up an absolute feast all weekend.

  • Friday evening: Wood-Fired Pizza, live music, and more at Ascutney Outdoors. We invite everyone signed up to pick up their race numbers, enjoy some incredible food & drink, and kick off the weekend with us at Ascutney Outdoors. Also: don’t miss the mountain mile (our free fun run) with awesome prizes for kids at 5:00pm.

  • Saturday post-run party (free for riders) 1x beverage and entire food plate from The Brownsville Butcher & Pantry included in your entry. Additional food can be purchased from the BB&P for friends and family on-site.

  • Sunday post-ride party (free for runners) 1x beverage and entire food plate from The Brownsville Butcher & Pantry included in your entry. Additional food can be purchased from the BB&P for friends and family on-site.

The Venue

Camping

We’re excited to expand upon our camping options at Ascutney Outdoors this year! Remember: all campers are expected to be 100% self-sufficient. Pack it in, pack it out.

  • Tent only camping = Space for you and your tent at Ascutney Outdoors – away from your car! This camping option requires you to walk to the tent camping zone with your gear.

  • Car & Tent camping = Space near Ascutney Outdoors, along the treeline in the general parking area, or just North of the venue zone, to camp in or next to your car. We ask that noone take up more space than 1.5 parking spots for this.

  • 4x4 Camping = Space to camp in or next to your car in a meadow about a ¼-mile away from Ascutney Outdoors. PLEASE NOTE – 4x4 vehicles are required to access this field.

  • Camper or small RV = We have a limited amount of space for campers or small-RV's near Ascutney Outdoors. PLEASE NOTE: there are no electrical hook ups and no toilet hook ups. This camping option only reserves you space. Full size RV's are NOT allowed.

  • All camping spots and their respective categories are reserved ahead of time through our event registration pages hosted by Movemint. There are a limited amount of space for all camping categories. You will not be able to purchase additional camping spots on-site.

  • Camping check-in opens at 2pm on Friday. Each camping pass is good for both Friday & Saturday nights.

  • Once arriving at the venue, please come check-in at Ascutney Outdoors to pick up your race number and camping pass.

  • Please study & reference the camping zone map below before you arrive. If you are having trouble finding the different camping zones, we’ll have signs and volunteers to direct you to the different zones.

  • Camping spots in each respective category are self-assigned and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Water and portable toilets will be available at Ascutney Outdoors. If you pack it in, you need to pack it out!

  • IMPORTANT: ABSOLUTELY NO CAMPFIRES. We’re very lucky to have Ascutney Outdoors as our host venue and breaking these camping rules would not be good.

  • Once you’re set up, please have your camping passes displayed on the windshield of your vehicle or attached to your tent at all times!

FAQ:  

  • Where’s the start/finish, parking and registration? Everything is located at the race venue at Ascutney Outdoors. Race starts promptly at 9am. Neutral start for the 1st mile.

  • Will there be camping near the venue? Absolutely! You can sign up for camping on our registration page. Limited spots are available.

  • Where can I stay? There’s a variety of local hotels in the area (listed below), but if you want our opinion, just freaking camp! It’s the best experience and you’ll be right in the center of all the action.

  • What kind of bike race is this? Road race? Cross race? Mountain bike race? It’s a little bit of all three. It’s an overland bike race.

  • What percentage of the course is dirt? About 95%. The pavement sections are purely transitional and no longer than a kilometer or two in each stretch.

  • SELF-NAV!!:  Vermont Overland strongly feels that the very roots of gravel grinding lie in self and group navigation. Directional signs have such a massive visual impact on the communities through which we ride and race. Further, sign sabotage is real and can ruin your day as a rider (and as a promoter). So download the course to your phone or GPS unit or print out the cue sheet (or both) and have a blast navigating your way around the course with whatever group you end up with! Through our partnership with Ride with GPS, participants have access to the course with custom cues, points of interest, marked segments, aid stations and navigation FOR FREE.

  • What type of bike is optimal for the Overland: Run what you bring! A cross bike or gravel-specific bike with at least 32c tires and low gearing (at least 1 to 1) will also do nicely. You may need a mountain bike rear derailleur to make it work. For those new to dirt road riding, a hardtail mountain bike is great. Road bikes on as big a tire as you can fit are okay but not optimal. [NB: For those just riding to finish and on the fence between a cross and mt bike, you may want to go with the latter.]

  • Is there a bike shop in town in case I need to have my bike tuned or pick up a spare tube and CO2? Yes, Route 4 Bikes, located at 30 Central Street, Woodstock will be open and ready for business on Fri and Saturday. Ranch Camp is another great option in Woodstock.

  • Can I get a refund or deferral? We have a VERY strict no-refund and no-deferral policy. No exceptions. If you wish to give up your spot, you can sell or gift your entry to anyone you know and then easily transfer your entry to them through Movemint. The deadline to transfer is August 23, 2025. Thank you for understanding! Our full refund policy can be read here.

  • The Overland sold out and I want in…!!! Join the waitlist and cross your fingers that someone can’t make it and sends you their spot, look for an opportunity to get in through one of our limited charity spots when they’re announced, or be sure to register on-time next year on January 1st, 2027!!!