Last updated June 7, 2026

Event for 2027 has not been confirmed yet… Billed as the “Queen of the Classics,” the Tour of the Battenkill 2027 is a legendary 75-mile mixed surface event for riders wanting a challenging, scenic, and competitive ride/race. Brought on by veteran organizers Ventures Endurance Events and selected by Strambecco as one of the Best Road Cycling Race Events in New England, one of the Best Gravel Cycling Race Events in New England, as well as one of the overall Best Cycling Race Events in New York, the event typically attracts over 600 riders from throughout New England, the broader US and Canada.

There have been a lot of superlatives thrown around about the Tour of the Battenkill since its inception in 2004: “America’s biggest one-day road race,” “the toughest one-day road race in the country,” “the greatest number of flat tires at a cycling event….” The course that starts and finishes at the Washington County Fairgrounds is unlike any other in the US. It’s a back-road journey through open farmland, narrow canopies of trees, and a covered bridge — the naturally car-free, rural roads you wish to ride daily. Its steep, punchy climbs help shatter the field of riders, with a group of six finishing together considered large.

Riders are grouped by ability at the starting line and begin simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. with a neutral rollout, with the Tour of the Battenkill Gran Fondo group kicking things off at 8:30 am The first handful of miles feature a full police escort and rolling road closure. After that, the roads are open to the public, but traffic is very sparse. Course marshals are stationed at all critical intersections and hold traffic for riders.

The main Gran Fondo course comes in at ~75 Miles and ~5,500 feet of elevation gain. The route features many rollers and several notably steep climbs on gravel with pitches reaching 18% grade. If you are looking for slightly less challenging routes with a similar experience, this year includes a Medio route of ~40 miles and ~3,000 ft of climbing and a Piccolo route of 24 miles with 1,300 ft of elevation gain.

Battenkill’s 12 dirt sections spanning 18 miles are its trademark, and therein lies one of the special ingredients that have led to its popularity. Whether it’s the toughest one-day race in America is a matter of opinion. Still, to many riders — especially those new to racing — it certainly feels like it. The list of DNFs isn’t overly long, but the dirt sections can often result in punctured tires, so be sure to bring plenty of spares, pumps, CO2 cartridges, or perhaps tubeless tires, sealant, or extra-big rubber. Despite the risk of punctures, most riders go with road vs. gravel bikes. The gravel sections are, by and large, hard-packed and relatively smooth, although there are some loose sections to watch out for.

The Tour of the Battenkill Gran Fondo is truly a one-of-a-kind race for those seeking a serious challenge shrouded in pastoral beauty. The result is that everyone who finishes, even everyone who starts, goes home with rich stories to tell. The event has a very nice after-party with great food, entertainment, and libations.