By Evan Johnson
Mountain bike season took a flying jump into summer this weekend as a swarm of mountain bikers took to the trails at Killington Resort in the first-ever Bike ‘n’ Brew, a celebration of local mountain bike trails and the culture riders enjoy.
The weekend-long event included a full lineup of entertainment and biking options for the entire family including three days of organized mountain biking for all skill levels, Vermont’s first-ever downhill critical mass ride, onsite camping, vendor garden, bike swap, craft beer garden, a whip-off competition with a $500 cash purse, a skinny bridge crossing contest, kids’ race and live music.
Following a pre-registration party and a private bike park session for festival attendees on Friday evening, Saturday got off to a start with a “Kegs and Eggs” breakfast in the Snowshed Base Lodge before riders took to the trails. The Killington Ski Club ran a bike swap for much of the weekend and the Divas of Dirt ran women’s group rides. Pro mountain biker Aaron Chase led a critical mass bike ride from the summit of the Ramshead lift down to the Snowshed area. Rock band The CopOuts rounded out the day with tunes during the brewfest, which featured 14 brewers pouring 30 beers. Sunday featured bike demos, a Bike Bum race and “recovery rides” to close out the weekend.
Photos by Chandler Burgess, courtesy of Killington Resort
Killington Bike ‘n’ Brew weekend included more than just trails and ales —fireworks and bonfires lit the mountain.
