Allen Clark Hill Climb — Since1998

The Allen Clark Memorial Hill Climb, the annual gruntfest that has fast become a rite of cycling passage in the Mad River Valley, is a grueling time trial that rises 1,600 vertical feet in 6.2 miles, from the intersection of Routes 100 and 17 to the top of Appalachian Gap.

If the sweat, suffering, and nominal $25 entry fee seem like a heavy price to pay, consider it all for a good cause — the race is a fundraiser for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. Allen was a big supporter and frequent volunteer at VASS. He took great satisfaction in seeing the handicapped folks break out in a smile occasionally during one of his little lessons. This year's race will be sponsored by Stark Mountain Bike Works and Mad River Glen, and will be a part of Mad River's Green and Gold Weekend. Riders will compete in seven age categories, from 15 and under to 61 and over.

The Course

The time trial course begins at Stark Mountain Bike Works at the corner of Routes 17 and 100 adn rises 1600 vertical feet over 6.2 miles to finish at the intersection of the Long Trail at the summit of the Appalachian Gap.

The road, originally named the McCullough Turnpike when built in the 1950s, is currently the highest paved road in Vermont kept open year-round, topping out at 2,356 feet. The road wasn't constructed using the high-tech survey methods available today; instead, the bed was laid out following the natural contours of the terrain. With an average pitch of roughly 10 percent over the last 2½ miles, the climb is steeper (if shorter) than most climbs in the Tour de France. But steepness alone isn't everything. The numerous changes in pitch and direction are really what make the Ap Gap climb a challenging and exhilarating ride, both physically and mentally.