Rasputitsa founded 2016. Named for Russian word meaning 'mud season'. Vermont early season mud fest. 600+ riders. Burke Northeast Kingdom. Self-supported. 10th anniversary 2026. Founded in 2016.
Reputation: Vermont hardcore mud fest. Self-supported. Grassroots. STATUS: race is currently on hiatus/not being organized — do not market as an active, registerable event.
2023: Mud, cold (40-50°F)
2024: Rain, heavy mud (10th-anniversary edition run April 20, 2024 per Jay Peak Resort event page)
2026: Co-founder Anthony Moccia died March 13, 2026 (stage 4 cancer); organizer publicly stated it is not organizing or accepting registrations for a 2026/2027 race (as of 2026-07-16)
46 miles of Vermont Class 4 roads (unmaintained dirt). 5,000 ft elevation. Self-supported (NO aid). Mud guaranteed (April). Technical rating: 4/5.
Signature challenge: April mud + self-supported + Class 4 technical roads. Mud is guaranteed, aid is not.
SURFACE COMPOSITION
overall
dirt 70%
gravel 20%
pavement 10%
dirt 70%gravel 20%pavement 10%
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RIDERS REPORT
Notorious BIG Hill MI 30
A significant climb at about 30 miles in with 3800 ft of climbing. Described as straight up for a long ways, with 5% grade feeling mellow compared to earlier climbs.
Siberia
A particularly rough section that riders specifically call out as difficult.
Vermont gravel is hard packed, basically like a dirt highway according to riders on pre-race rides.
Roads are pretty smooth actually, with constant ups and downs throughout the course.
There was a muddy section the day before race day that left bikes very dirty.
[04]
From the Field
It's only 57 miles but it's 7,000 feet of climbing and that's a lot for 57 miles.
Watt Wagon · 5.2K views
This year was a true mental battle, to choose to start the race and to stay in as it rained, snowed, and sleeted on us. Wet gear, frozen fingers and toes, 42 miles, and 4700ft of climbing. All in temps of 37F to 41F degrees.
Mark Thistle · 1.6K views
I took a whiskey shot at the last aid station and it was a very good choice paired with two chocolate chip cookies. Nothing says hydration like a hot dog.
Green Mountain Gravel · 3.6K views
I showed up at the front desk at 6:00 a.m. with a locked bike chain problem and hotel maintenance came out with bolt cutters to save my race - that's the kind of customer service you get here.
Green Mountain Gravel · 3.6K views
Green Mountain Gravel · 3.6K views · 19:45
Watt Wagon · 5.2K views · 10:43
Mark Thistle · 1.6K views · 8:11
RACER
Racer Reviews
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[07]
Training
Race-specific preparation details are included in the demand profile below.
[09]
Race Logistics
Packet Pickup
Day-before. Check official website.
Parking
Free at event site
RIDERS REPORT
The race requires constant pedal to the metal max heart rate max power - it's relentless climbing.
Don't forget sunscreen even if weather looks good - riders were caught off guard by bright sunny conditions.
Taking whiskey shots and chocolate chip cookies at aid stations around mile 26 can be a good morale booster for the climbs ahead.
Petals survived 2019's 'worst weather conditions in the history of the race' with 'pouring rain, sleet, snow, hail. Temp never cracked 40F' causing hypothermia DNFs and 75% of non-finishers stopping by mile 20. 2018 featured 30+ minutes 'trudging through fairly deep snow' on cross-country ski trails. Even mild years bring unpredictable conditions—FergusYL's 2023 forecast of 60s-70s became race day '35-40ish' degrees. Among the most weather-friendly events, easier than Badlands. "Around the time of the start gun, snow started to pick up in an angry fashion. It was just above freezing with steady wind blowing snow in sideways, making my 9am start time feel like an eternity away..."[15]
How are the logistics for Rasputitsa?
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Jay Peak Resort hosting provides venue infrastructure, but course conditions create operational uncertainty. Newcombep warns 'the start for the 70k can be a bit brutal with the dh then immediate climbing stretch. Start line is a bit of a free forall and you could be leap frogging alot of groups.' 'within the first two miles of the race the entire pack was forced off their bikes for ankle/axle deep mud.'[1]
How adventurous is Rasputitsa?
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Equipment failures compound the wilderness experience—Petals 'no longer had a front brake and barely any back brake' by mile 30, while Matthew Vandivort made 'the super wise decision to put slick touring tires on my bike' for icy conditions. Steve Rousseau's group spent 30 minutes 'trudging through fairly deep snow for what seemed to be forever' after a wrong turn into cross-country ski trails.[1]
How prestigious is Rasputitsa?
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The atmosphere as reminiscent of 'mountain bike races in the early 90's where people are chatty and supportive, and it's a real festive atmosphere.' 'legendary' after 10 years, but the race philosophy explicitly states 'if you're looking for podiums and podium-placed winners, look elsewhere.' The focus remains on community participation rather than elite competition.[10]
Should I race Rasputitsa?
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If you can handle 46 miles of sustained climbing in conditions that range from perfect to apocalyptic, Rasputitsa delivers authentic Northeast Kingdom suffering without the ego. The 5,000 feet of elevation isn't negotiable, and April weather means you might get snow, mud, or sunshine—sometimes all three. Skip this if you need predictable conditions or hate climbing.
[11]
Sources & Citations
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.
