guided rides

Ride with a local!

Get right to the goods with an experienced, local guide! Your guide will communicate with you to put together the ideal ride to match your skill level, desired difficulty, trail and weather conditions. Whether you want back road gravel routes, smooth flow, techy singletrack, freeride features, or a mix of all of them, our guides can help you make the most of your day outside.

BOOK A RIDE

RENT A BIKE

Suggested Rides

We offer half day and full day guided rides. Specific routes may vary based on weather conditions and other factors. Not sure what you want? Book a half or full day and we'll help you decide.

Exactly what you want

Build your own -
half day tour

Our most popular option, half day tours pack in as much riding as most people have energy for-- up to 4 hours.

4 Hours

$249 for 2 people

+$50 each additional person

Book this Route

All of Blueberry Lake

Loopberry Lake

Blueberry Lake is true singletrack that wins for scenery, seclusion, and fun for all ages! The best place for learning progression also happens to start and end at a Lake!

3-4 Hours

$249 for 2 people

+$50 each additional person

Book this Route

Best of the Valley's flow

Howe Block Flow Tour

If you’re looking for MRV flow, this is the route for you. Plenty of flowy downhills and the climbing isn’t that bad. We'll finish with a sweet descent right back to Madbush!

4 Hours

$249 for 2 people

+$50 each additional person

Book this Route

Big ride combining the best of Howe Block and Eurich Pond

All Day Epic

For those who are looking for more than a taste of the local riding, this is the loop for you. The All Day Epic combines the classic, complicated, technical descents on Cyclone, Clinic and Plum Line with a little flow mixed in on Evolution 2.

6 Hours

$349 for 2 people

+$75 each additional person

Book this Route

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Even more of what you want

build your own -
full day tour

Full day tours combine endless riding with incredible spots to take in the view, picnic, swim, eat and drink.

6-8 Hours

$399 for 2 people

+$50 each additional person

Book this Route

Climber's delight with big views

The great 8

This ride is a true Mad River Valley gem, piecing together low traffic gravel and off-road sections in a route with great variety. Less than 10 minutes from Madbush, you’re already in the land of huge 360 degree views as you crest the first climb up Rolston Rd.

3-4 Hours

$249 for 2 people

+$50 each additional person

Book this Route

An all day epic and gap rider’s delight

Double Trouble

If gravel is more your speed, fear not! We know the roads just as well as the trails and this is one of our favorites! Plenty of views, climbing and quiet back roads along the route. Your guide can show you the local shops along the way and you are almost certain to end up at a creemee stand!

6 Hours

$399 for 2 people

+$75 each additional person

Book this route

Explore the trails and progress your skills!

Instructed Ride

Looking for a private tour and private coaching session combined?!

Madbush coaches are ready for any level of rider and will help you progress in whatever area you'd like! From the basics of climbing and descending to more advanced topics such as cornering and line choice we will make sure it works for you!

4 hours

$349 for 2 people

+$100 each additional person

Book this Route

Meet your guides

Our guides are experienced mountain bikers and gravel cyclists and can't wait to show you around the endless trails and roads that Vermont has to offer.

Hayden Ellms

Hayden grew up in central Vermont riding bikes, skiing and doing everything possible to get outside. At 9 years old, he attended Wheels Around Waterbury for the first time and would return every summer for the next 15 years, gaining more responsibility and knowledge of how to lead groups of riders safely on busy, technical trails. In 2020, Hayden helped Time To Ride, a bike camp and afterschool program in Montpelier, get started and has been working there every Spring and Fall for the last 4 years. Off the bike, Hayden works at the valley's newest restaurant and bar, Madbush Falls, as the Marketing and Operations Assistant.

Kathy Haskell

Kathy Haskell began leading mountain bike rides as a postgraduate at Burke Mountain Academy in the 90s! With her GT Zaskar in hand she started mountain bike racing in the NORBA Race Series in Colorado while managing a spin studio and working for PowerBar. Coaching ski racing at Mad River Glen has propelled Kathy into weaving her love for mountain biking and passion for coaching. When not riding her bike or skiing, Kathy runs FullStrideTutor a private tutoring company and volunteers on the Mad River Rider’s board.

what to Bring

Water

Vermont gets HOT in the summer and even a short 1-2 hour ride can leave you extremely dehydrated.

A pair of good shoes

Biking can put a lot of strain on joints if good footwear is not warn. We highly recommend a supportive running shoe or similar.

Gear for swimming

Many of our routes finish at or near water. We even have a waterfall with a sweet swimming hole right on the property