'26 Yeti Gathering - Vermont

Words by Will Litty 

Photos by Hannah Sourbeer 

For as long as I can remember, bikes have been a major part of my life. However, it wasn’t until I moved to the East Coast that I started mountain biking more seriously. The trails out east have always held a special place in my heart as they helped mold me into the rider I am today. Seemingly endless roots, tight turns, and short punchy climbs followed by ripping fast descents all under dense forest cover.  

When I heard we were heading back to Vermont for a Fall Gathering, I was flooded with nostalgia for my early years of mountain biking. With those warm and fuzzy memories in mind, I packed up Yeti and took off for the airport.  

Regional Gatherings, by design, have a bit more intimate feel. A fraction of the size of our Colorado Gatherings, their smaller size means more one-on-one time on the trail and around the campfire with Yeti Staff and fellow Freaks. As we made our way north towards Vermont, the greenish yellow landscape near the coast slowly transformed into vast rolling hills filled with deep reds, oranges, and yellows – think gumball machine filled with the deepest fall colors, or a basket full of fresh picked apples. I’ve experienced some amazing leaves before, but nothing as vibrant and colorful as this.  

We arrived at the Wildflower Inn late Wednesday evening giving our crew some time to prep for the event. We were greeted by Gabe, a friend of Yeti’s who works for Schwalbe. Gabe generously offered to set up Freaks with new tires and joined in on the fun. If you attended the event, then you’ll know what I’m about to say – Gabe was absolute all-star and blast to have in attendance. Before I knew it, Friday rolled around which meant Freaks were inbound and ready for a weekend of shredding. Both new and familiar faces started filling the grounds around the Inn – some local to the East Coast, while others made the journey from far away.  

The more Gatherings you attend, the more it starts to feel like a family reunion of mountain bikers you see once or twice a year. Like–minded riders gathering for the same reasons: ripping mountain bikes, eating great food, and celebrating the brand and a sport we all love.

East Burke has a homey, cozy feel to it, especially during the fall season. Add in the world class Kingdom Trails and you’ve got yourself a recipe for some perfect late-season mountain biking. Our Friday ride was a 10-mile loop that circumnavigated the Wildflower Inn, giving guests a chance to stretch their legs and ensure their Yeti’s were dialed after travel. Thankfully, the morning rain tapered off just in time for our ride, leaving an ethereal fog in the valley. Dropping in directly behind the venue, tacky dirt quickly turned to freshly fallen leaves, and lots of them.

If you’ve ever ridden on the East Coast, then you’ll know what I mean when I use the term ‘leaf surfing’. Once you get the technique down, it can be quite rewarding, but until then, it can be a bit of a learning curve. Roots and rocks that were once visible quickly vanish under a blanket of slippery, multicolor leaves. Learning the breakaway point of the tires is a crucial step towards mastering the technique.  

After our leaf-surfing-101 course concluded, we gathered on the back deck of the Wildflower Inn for some much-needed food and drinks to finish off the evening. As the sun dipped and the sky tuned red and purple, we laughed the night away getting to know one another in anticipation for the Saturday ride to come.  

It’s become a running joke that sometimes our Scottish friends from H+I Adventures bring the rain with them to our Gatherings. Mother Nature must have gotten word and felt the need to apologize, because the weather couldn’t have been better for our Saturday ride. A bluebird day in early October during peak fall colors with the temperature hovering in the mid 50’s... it doesn’t get better than this. After some hot coffee and a hearty breakfast, everyone convened for a rider briefing and split into their groups each led by one Yeti rider.  

Our mission for the day was about 30 miles with the main event being the famed Black Bear descent halfway into our ride. We began pedaling and were immediately immersed in a fall-colored wonderland. Our leaf-surfing practice from the day before quickly went out the door with breathtaking views of Burke Mountain off in the distance, making it hard to focus on the trail. Similar to my experience earlier in the week, we were once again surrounded by deep reds, oranges, and yellows.  

Before we knew it, we had arrived at the top of Black Bear. With Burke Mountain still looming in the distance, we dropped in. I remember experiencing feelings of complete flow state last year, with this run being no different. Time slows and vision narrows directing all focus towards the trail, only breaking concentration to let out the occasional hoot and holler. This is the feeling that every mountain biker searches for, and this trail delivers that in spades.  

With another successful lap complete and spirits through the roof, we set our sights on the Inn and the evening activates to come. One of the keys to a good Hoogarita is the constant stirring of the mixture. To achieve this, we’ve started using a tree brand from each location to give it that extra local flavor. We even enlisted the help of a few Freaks to help stir, who didn’t miss a beat. With both rides in the books and drinks flowing, conversations continued late into the evening as everyone tried their hardest to put off the Sunday-scaries. 

Sundays are always bittersweet. On one hand, it’s hard saying goodbye to new and old friends, but on the other, it’s okay because you know you’ll see them again at a future Gathering. This feeling reaffirms my thoughts from earlier comparing Gathering to a family reunion. The more events I have the privilege to attend, the easier it is for me to confirm and fully believe in this theory. Traveling home, I’m left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for the event and Freaks that make it all possible. As Lake Champlain slowly fades out of view, I can’t help but look forward to the next Gathering and chance to do it all over again.  

We’d like to offer a massive ‘Thank you’ to those that made this weekend so memorable:  

H+I Adventures 

Hannah Sourbeer 

The Wildflower Inn, Restaurant & Pub 

Kingdom Trails and local landowners 

Alex Parker & Dad Makin’ Maple 

Schwalbe Tires