The VTGS or Vermont Grand Slam is a challenge to complete three of the longest and hardest Bikepacking routes in VT, in a single calendar year. Those routes are; The VTXL, The XVT and the Super 8. The approximate total mileage is 1,297 with almost 115,000ft of elevation gain.
The XVT shown above, is a 313 mile route with 32,864ft of Ascent. For more information on this route and the Super 8 route below, go to www.vermontbikepackers.org.
The Vermont Super 8 is a 674 mile route with aprox 50,000ft of Ascent. Again, Vermontbikepackers.org has all the info on the course, the Grand Depart and also ride/race reports. Go there to get the .gpx files.
The VTXL above is a route from the Canada border to the Massachusetts border, across the width of Vermont. This route is primarily gravel and less punishing (terrain wise) than the other two routes. Don’t be fooled though, it is still 301 miles with over 30,000ft of climbing. Ted King completed this route in an astonishing sub 23 hours in 2020. There is a great video and recap of that ride here.
For a route description and all the information you need to tackle this route, including the .gpx file, bikepacking.com has the 411.
Bonus Points - I’ve been playing around with the possibility of doing the VTXL and the XVT as a loop by adding connector routes at each end. This summer I will need to do some recon, but as I have it above, the loop would be 699 miles a metric shit ton of climbing. When I have the route finished I will post it here. Feel free to email if you have questions.
I will keep track of any successful finisher of the Grand Slam, or the VTXL/XVT loop here on this site. Proof will need to be submitted via a GPS recording of some type. Or a good story. Just keep track of your time and be honest.
You will see Vermont like not many others if you take on this challenge! Above is a map of the whole enchilada.