Sip of Sunshine Course “Saved by Stan’s” Class IV Section:
We like to say “run whatcha brung” because… BIKES! So many bikes are so capable these days, that many options will work. You’re looking for the ideal mix of speed, comfort and agility. The deft adventure seeker might opt for a road bike with file-tread 32s and disc brakes, but you might enjoy the ride and have more success with something more like a cx/gravel bike and 38-40c tires with knobs. Whatever you decide, there’ll be advantages in different sections of the course.
Ted’s suggestions:
Deft Adventure Seeker: Cannondale Synapse with SRAM AXS for a full gear range, Rene Herse Stempede Pass 32c tires
Comfortable Adventure Seeker: Cannondale Topstone Carbon with SRAM AXS, Rene Herse Steilacoom Pass 38c tires
We like to say “run whatcha brung” because… BIKES! So many bikes are so capable these days, that many options will work. You’re looking for the ideal mix of speed, comfort and agility. The deft adventure seeker might opt for a road bike with file-tread 32s and disc brakes, but you might enjoy the ride and have more success with something more like a cx/gravel bike and 38-40c tires with knobs. Whatever you decide, there’ll be advantages in different sections of the course.
Ted’s suggestions:
Deft Adventure Seeker: Cannondale Synapse with SRAM AXS for a full gear range, Rene Herse Stempede Pass 32c tires
Comfortable Adventure Seeker: Cannondale Topstone Carbon with SRAM AXS, Rene Herse Steilacoom Pass 38c tires
In 2019 Sip of Sunshine Course featured four short sections of class-IV jeep roads or Vermont pave totaling five miles. Some consider these sections rideable, others run or walk them. Whatever you choose, connecting pristine gravel via these abandoned roads is very much part of the gravel cycling culture in Vermont. It’s also a part of the adventurous spirit of gravel.
We recommend running Tubeless with Stan’s sealant and carrying a Stan’s DART in case you puncture, this would be most likely to happen in the Saved by Stan’s section of the course. Curious what that means? Here we have Noah at Bicycle Express in Waterbury, Vermont to explain the details.
If you are in Vermont, you can visit Noah and his crew in Waterbury where they’re consistently stocked on Stan’s supplies and can help you if you need any assistance setting your bike up tubeless.
Not in Vermont? You can head here and purchase online.
Vermont’s terrain is challenging and unrelenting but to those who call it home, they wouldn’t have it any other way. Although surrounded by Vermont’s hallowed gaps throughout each route, we won’t cover terribly long climbs here. Instead, you’ll find shorter and sometimes steeper climbs that collectively take their toll over the course of each challenging ride. The following video is a course preview from Spring 2019 when Ted and a small intrepid crew headed out to explore and scout the route.
