What is the Vermont Super 8 Grand Depart?
It's a self-supported bikepacking adventure that takes place at the end of September. Most riders start and finish in Montpelier. The course is self-navigated using GPS devices. Riders are provided with a route and a list of resources, but they otherwise must carry their own gear and make their own camping arrangements. The course features some of Vermont's extremely rugged roads and trails, and it covers very hilly terrain.
To register for the 2026 Grand Depart: stay tuned! We expect to open registration before April.
You can check out the current edition of the Super 8 on the routes page, but please know that small changes are made to the route nearly every year. Intending Grand Depart riders will be looped into an email thread and supplied with a finalized .gpx file and camping guide in advance of the event.
If you'd like to take on an Individual Time Trial (ITT) of the Super 8 outside of the time window of the Grand Depart, email dan@vermontbikepackers.org and alex@vermontbikepackers.org, and we'll ensure you have the latest route revision and camping guide. We can also work with you to set up satellite tracking, if you like.
What is the Self-Supported riding standard?
Read about it here.
Finish Times & Ride Reports
Riders had three mileage options for the figure 8 loop that starts and ends in Montpelier. Those riding the Full 8 also recieve finish times for the individual loops that comprise the Full 8, the North Lobe and the South Lobe. Time spent in Montpelier does not count towards an individual lobe time, but does count towards the Full 8 time. "SCR" stands for "scratched," which means the rider did not finish that portion. "--" means did not start. The times of riders who bypass significant sections of the course but otherwise continue riding get marked with an asterisk (*). Riders who begin with the intent to complete the full 8 but only complete one lobe receive a finish time for that lobe but a "SCR" for the Full 8.
Unless otherwise noted, riders use geared bikes, ride as individuals (rather than teams), and Full 8 riders start with the South Lobe. The course is subject to change each year for myriad reasons; it is the intent of the route stewards to keep the overall difficulty of the Super 8 course roughly equivalent from year to year, as mileage, elevation, terrain, and other factors change.
If you rode the Super 8 and would like your time listed below - or if you take objection to any time listed below, or if you have a ride report we haven't linked - then please reach out to dan@vermontbikepackers.org and alex@vermontbikepackers.org .
VT Super 8 FKT's (Fastest Known Times) as of March 2026 (dd:hh:mm):
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Full 8 individual self-supported male + overall: Logan Kasper / 2:23:16 / 2021 ITT
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Full 8 individual self-supported female: Paige Redman / 4:03:39 / 2026 GD
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South Lobe individual self-supported male + overall: Jake Inger / 1:16:12 / 2025 ITT
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South Lobe individual self-supported female: Paige Redman / 2:06:17 / 2026 GD
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North Lobe individual self-supported male + overall: Logan Kasper / 0:22:18 / 2021 ITT
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North Lobe individual self-supported female: Phoebe Gelbard / 1:12:16 / 2024 GD
Satellite Tracking
Each year, most riders use a voluntary satellite tracking service so we can "dot watch." Below are links to Grand Departs of years past. You can replay the riders and explore results.