STRATTON — The Vermont Challenge, a European-style tour bicycle riding event to be held in southern Vermont this August, added two new beneficiaries to the list of nonprofits to which it donates: Grace Cottage Hospital and Stratton Mountain Urgent Care/Carlos Otis Clinic.
This year, $25 of each rider's entry fee will be divided, through the Stratton Foundation, among the following Vermont nonprofits: Grace Cottage Hospital (Townshend); Stratton Mountain Urgent Care/Carlos Otis Clinic; Jamaica/Wardsboro Community Food Pantry; BROC Community Action and Rutland Methodist Church “Feed the Freezer” (Rutland); Meals on Wheels (Bennington); and Black River Good Neighbors (Ludlow and Windsor).
Now in its fourth year, the Vermont Challenge will be held on Aug. 12 to 16, with a series of multi-day tour options. This includes a route on Saturday, Aug. 15, that ends with a four-mile climb to Stratton Mountain Resort, the only mountain-top Gran Fondo finish east of the Continental Divide.
In addition to the 100-mile Gran Fondo, the Vermont Challenge offers both the Medio (68 miles) and Piccolo (26 miles) Fondos so riders of various ages and abilities can ride.
Saturday and Sunday events at Stratton will include live music; craft brews; Vermont fare and farmer's market; contests and entertainment for kids; and bicycle test rides, clinics, training, and nutrition.
Each day, the challenge will offer long routes for the elite level recreational rider, and medium and shorter routes designed for lower to upper intermediate riders. This year, those tours will be centered around Manchester, offering a variety of terrain - everything from farm country, picturesque towns, river routes, and mountain passes.
The challenge provides full “SAG” or support and gear, and rest stops every 20 miles to 25 miles that are fully stocked. The registration fee includes tech support, high performance jersey, tech tee, socks, and water bottle. Grace Cottage Hospital will support the Vermont Challenge on Aug. 15 by hosting a rest stop in front of the hospital with food, snacks, and drinks for riders.
For more information, go to www.vtchallenge.com.