Tunnel Ridge: a classic ride and challenging adventure (even on an e-bike)

By Jason Mikula

A true Mountain Bike adventure is waiting for you just outside the quaint little town of  Rochester. Most people choose to do it as a one-way, 13-mile ride with 3,000 feet of climbing and elevation gain. It has over 150 berms (up and down), lots of mud, stumps, running creeks, and on the fourth class road, some downed trees. It’s a ride you’ll never forget. Bring lots of water, extra tires and to really enjoy it, an e-bike. Some may prefer the workout but to really take your time, enjoy the scenery, and finish, this ride is really fun with the extra help of a battery, especially if you are an intermediate rider. 

For this ride you’ll also need two cars and some friends. Leave one car at the trailhead of Tunnel Ridge. There are several lots just north or Rochester off of Route 100. Jump in another car and plan to start your ride at the Swan Dive trailhead (part of the Velomont Trail) back through town at the junction of Bingo Road and Flanders Hill off of Route 73 on the east side of the Brandon Gap. Google this before you go. Park the car on one of the dirt pullsoffs and jump on your bikes. From there, you’ll head over the mountain up Swan Dive to the Swan Mill Road. Using trailforks to sketch out the ride is highly recommended (or bring a GRIP magazine with you, which has the trail map). Don’t count on service back there. You’ll literally be several miles away from any road or rescue. 

My 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son and I rented e-bikes from J.T at Rutland City Bikes. He was super accommodating and knowledgeable about the area. His shop is well stocked and his passion for riding is evident when informing us about the gear we were renting and the adventure we had chosen.

Swan Dive Trail is an advanced mountain biking trail known for its steep descents and technical challenges. We  headed up this route. The trail features a series of sharp climbs, rocky sections, and narrow, twisting paths that require precise bike handling. Once we got up Swan Dive we took a left up onto Swans Mill Road, a fourth class road with an easy climb and a grassy soft single track. With an e-bike it’s an easy decision to take the offshoot intermediate trails off of Swan Mill Road. You’ll have several really fun choices. Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, Mute Swan and Whistling Swan. These all circle back to Swans Mill Road where we headed back up. Following the fourth class road to the Tunnel Ridge Trail is a steep climb to the peak with some amazing views, a nice log to rest on, and the beginning of an exciting descent.

Tunnel Ridge has over 100 perfect berms (thankfully downhill) back to the car. It’s a machine made trail that combines thrilling technical sections with some amazing scenic overlooks. It’s mostly smooth and flowy and some argue the best single track trail in the east. Out and back is another great way to enjoy this trail. Park on the east side off of Route 100, make the climb to the peak and come back down the 100 berms to where you started. It’s well worth the effort on powered and non-powered bikes. If you are looking to enjoy this area in a way that is unique and different, try the one way track from Bingo Brook over the mountain down Tunnel Ridge. You won’t regret it.