About the Slate Valley Epic
Join Slate Valley Trails (SVT) on July 18th 2026 for our Sixth Annual Slate Valley Epic Mountain Bike Race, sponsored by Frost Beer Works. This race is one of SVT's biggest event fundraisers and riders can expect some of the best singletrack riding in Vermont. This race is approximately 40 miles with about 5,000 feet of climbing and will surely challenge you, but be a memorable weekend in the Vermont woods!
Returning this year we will have both individual and relay race options. Share the excitement and challenge in a team of two racers on the same course and starting waves as the individual race!
The event's trailhead and expo is open to the public so come watch, cheer, eat, and celebrate with SVT and the racers Saturday. After the race, hang out and enjoy some food, music, refreshments, and comradery! Primitive camping is also available at the trailhead and is free for SVT members (join today) or can be purchased during registration.
Join or renew your SVT membership here
Frost Beer Works
The Details
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Racer Handbook (2025 hand book , 2026 will be posted soon)
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The race starts at 7:20 AM and we expect all racers to be complete by around 4 PM.
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There will be wave starts at 5 minute intervals
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Competitive Awards and a Free Sponsor Raffle at 2:00 PM
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All racers will receive a great meal after the race from The Rollin Rooster and the public can purchase food on site
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Frost Beer Works voucher included for after race celebratory brew
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The exact course will be released to participants prior to race day
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The Epic Race will start and finish at the Slate Valley Trails' Fairgrounds trailhead located at 131 Town Farm Rd, Poultney, VT.
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This is a cupless race. Racers are encouraged to bring a water bottle to refill at the aid stations set up along the Race course. Small snacks will be available, but racers are encouraged to bring enough calories to sustain the duration of the race.
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All of our trails are on private land so littering and trail cutting will not be tolerated, racers will be disqualified!!!
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Choose between racing as an individual or as part of a two-person relay team.
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Relay: the relay will follow the same rules as the standard race with the exception that teammates will check in and pass off their “baton” in front of an official at Aid Station #2. Each leg will be approximately 20mi. No parking is available at Aid #2; there will be shuttle available to & from the start/finish or can be self shuttled by bike (3 miles) on dirt/ class 4 roads. See hand book for further details.
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Previous race route (2025 follow link below). The course for 2026 will be largely the same. New route will be published when finalized.
https://www.trailforks.com/route/svt-epic-2025/
Registration Periods
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February 16th-28th, 2026: 125 spots open for racers that were registered for the 2025 event.
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On March 1st, 2026 8AM : Registration opens for remaining spots with a racer registration cap of 250. Registration for the relay (40 teams) will open on March 1st as well.
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In an effort to promote diversity and inclusivity in mountain bike racing, we will reserve 40 spots for women/non-binary participants through March 31st, 2026. After March 31st, if not all 40 of the abovementioned spots are filled, we will open them up to any registrant on the Wait List.
Registration Information
When you register you understand that: The SVT Board of Directors reserves the right to cancel the event at any time, with NO RACER REFUND, due to any adverse events (ie. this may include, but is not limited to extreme weather, a community tragedy, etc.)·
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SVT does not offer refunds if the Wait List is empty. If you withdraw your registration, and someone on the Wait List accepts your position, you will be offered a 50% refund
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There are no registration transfers to another racer
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A meal by Rollin’ Rooster WILL be included
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A shirt is NOT included with the registration fee this year, but they can be purchased separately at the time of online registration, or on the registration site up to a month before race day
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If you register for the waitlist (if the spots are currently full) you will WILL AUTOMATICLY BE REGISTERED & CHARGED when a spot opens up. YOU MUST REMOVE YOURSELF from the waitlist PRIOR to this if you no longer want to be entered.
Volunteer Opportunity
We are in need of volunteers Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for course route set-up, clean-up, route marshals, check-point station attendants and parking/traffic attendants. Volunteers will be provided with a meal at the trailhead on Saturday from the The Rolling Rooster ! If you are interested and available, please register as a volunteer through the ticketing button. We are in need of a few medical professionals the day of the race.