As the 2025 season is gearing up, it's time to have a (belated) review of last year's Vermont Super 8 Grand Depart. This post also discusses the evolution of the course itself, notable finishes from last year, and survey responses completed by riders soon after finishing the course.
Our group size was similar to 2024: 58 riders, with a near 50/50 split between veteran riders and new ones. Most folks drove to the start/finish in Montpelier and some took the train. We had some riders meet each other and carpool together to the start as well.
A little over half the riders scratched, meaning they completed some of their intended course but not all of it, although 2/3 of riders completed at least one lobe. One common outcome continues to be that riders who intended to complete the Full 8 will scratch after finishing the south lobe. Montpelier's siren song is powerful; resolving to carry on after reaching your car continues to be a daunting psychological challenge!
We had many notable firsts and fastests last year. In bikepacking tradition, we continue to track Fastest Known Times (on the south lobe, north lobe, and full 8). FKT claims are tenuous because the course inevitably changes every single year: roads become washed out during summer rains and close for construction, new trails are built, old trails are closed, Class 4 roads are "thrown up" (retired), and occasionally, there's a new routing that just seems better to those of us who steward this route. However, we do strive to keep the course "about as hard" year over year. You'll notice, for example, that over the past few years the Super 8's mileage has increased from 640 to 655 miles. These are calculated changes because surface conditions have changed. For instance, the 640-mile version used a long stretch of unimproved rail trail -- a miles-long flat stretch of babyheads, tall weeds, and buried crooked rail ties -- which was nearly unrideable on a gravel bike. This trail has recently been improved and is now as smooth as a gravel road in June! So we felt the need to add some mileage to compensate (and look for other "type 2" stretches elsewhere in the course to balance out something like a total hardness factor).
Anyway, here are last year's notably firsts- and fastests:
Firstly, congratulations to Stephanie Hall for setting the new women's fastest known time on the full Super 8. An avid gravelista, Stephanie crushed the north lobe at the 2023 grand depart, but she wanted more in '24. Stephanie completed the Full 8 in 5 days, 7 hours, and 14 minutes.
Damian Wallner completed the entire Super 8 course on a singlespeed. A few nut jobs have attempted this over the years, but Damian's is the first known completion! It took him 5 days, 11 hours and some change. You can read his ride report here.
Phoebe Gelbard rocked the North Lobe, setting a new women's fastest known time of 1 day, 12 hours, and 16 minutes. All this after completing the Adirondack Trail Ride just two weeks prior! You can read her ride report here.
Sarah Skelly, a Super 8 first timer, completed the South Lobe to claim the women's fastest known time at 2 days, 14 hours, and 50 minutes.
Felix Laberge finished the south lobe on singlespeed in 2 days + 15 minutes, which is the fastest known south lobe completion on singlespeed. This was the second-fastest south lobe completion this year (behind Chris Brits' blazing 1 day 21 hour south lobe finish).
Local Legend Tucker Weaver took the fastest known singlespeed time on the north lobe, finishing in 1 day, 6 hours, 32 minutes. Tucker was also the fastest overall finisher of the north lobe! Singlespeeders, man.
Again, to view finish times of all the riders, head over to the results and finish times page: Super 8 Grand Depart.
To wrap up, here are some selected responses from our post-ride survey. These questions go out to riders shortly after they finish.
Q: Any feedback on the difficulty?
On a rigid gravel bike, felt that there was so much hike-a-bike, a bit too much for my liking. Many sections seemed completely washed out and unrideable even for a front suspension mtb.
I had heard about the extra vert in the south and it did not disappoint.
Glastonbury may have felt harder than Stagecoach.
It was so hard! But I appreciate the degree of difficulty. I now feel unstoppable!
Q: What would you do differently, gear-wise?
Smaller chainring. I had 40t.
Might go a bit lighter on food next time. Ample resupply.
Electric assist. Just kidding. I could see a wider spread working well maybe a 2x up front.
Definitely use a front suspension fork 100%. Feel like my body could’ve remained a lot more fresh if I had that extra cushion. And I would use a bivy instead of a tent next time considering how little time I spent sleeping.
Q: Any other general feedback on your ride?
I'm convinced Vermont turns into a giant mist cloud at night for some reason.
I'm back to work, but wish I was still riding.
South lobe is hard.. Right after the finish, I wasn't sure if I would do it again.. maybe only the North lobe. But a week later, I'm thinking, meh... maybe again!
Less hike-a-bike please 🙏🏻
I really enjoy my time on the route! I feel we were a bunch leapfrogging and it made it very fun to have a chat and knowing other people are around!
Epic experience
