Slate Valley is booming with bikes

By Cristina Kumka and Courtney Behnken

Single-track mountain bike trails make up 60 miles in Poultney alone.

“Slate Valley Trails was founded in 2015 by two generous visionaries who saw the potential of trails in Poultney, Vermont,” according to information provided by Behnken.

Poultney is located in the heart of the Slate Valley with mountains and hills that stretch along the border of New York and Vermont. In 2019, at the same time the trails were being developed, Poultney’s popular and biggest economic driver, Green Mountain College, closed. This event sparked the community’s interest in outdoor recreation and the development of the extensive trail network as envisioned by the private benefactors. With community support and funds from the two private benefactors, Slate Valley Trails was able to grow its network from 10 miles of trail in 2018 to over 60 miles of world-class biking and foot trails in 2023.

Slate Valley Trails was able to grow its network from 10 miles of trail in 2018 to over 60 miles of world-class biking and foot trails in 2023.

The organization is driven by a volunteer board of directors made up of community leaders, business owners, and trail users and has grown from an all-volunteer group to having one year-round full-time director of operations and a seasonal trail maintenance staff.

“Slate Valley Trails is focused on maintaining the world class trail network, adding trails and amenities to enhance connectivity and serve a diverse user group, all while leveraging the trails to support a robust outdoor economy in the southwest region of Vermont,” the organization states.

At a Learn to Ride event, held Saturday June 1, at the Fairground trailhead, 40 participants split into three groups: new to riding, new to mountain biking and improve my mountain biking.

“This is, by far, is my favorite event that SVT hosts,” Behnken said. “I think what I love most about this event is the complete transformation in our participants from the beginning of each session to the end. When we do our opening circle, folks are nervous and a bit timid. Once we get into the group lessons and begin having fun on bikes, you can see the light bulbs switching on and they begin transforming their nervous energy into exciting and courageous energy. The looks on their faces when they conquer a section of trail that they would have otherwise walked is so inspiring. I love coaching mountain biking to new learners because I am able to give them a solid foundation in which they can build upon. Mountain biking has given my life so much meaning and I absolutely love sharing it with others.”