6 Gaps Question And Offer

[John Buten]

Question: I've done Middlebury Gap but never Lincoln/App.  How nasty is the gravel?  I have 32mm slicks and 34mm semi-slick (WTB Byway) and 40mm knobbies. I'm leaning toward the 32s and just taking it easy on the descents. The 34s are noticeably heavier and slower.  Any thoughts?  

Offer: I have room at our place in Norwich VT... about 0:40 from the start in Bethel... for a couple of Randonneurs on Fri/Sat if you're on the fence about joining the fun.  You'd need to get here as I'll be heading up on Thurs.  I think you can bring a bike on Dartmouth coach.  

John

617.230.8359

[Rick Gagne]

Hey John,

Last year there was a modified 6 Gap b/c of flooding so we didn't go over App Gap.  I rode 28 slicks and took it easy on the descents, which were sketchy,  This year I'm riding 32s but not just for this route.

Thanks,

Rick

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[Chris Pearson]

I rode down the gravel on 25mm slicks, in good/dry conditions. I took it slow, but not painfully slow, and it was fine. 

32mm slicks will be fine. 

Enjoy the ride!

Chris

On Thu, Jul 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM John Buten <john....@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Mike A]

Unless I am forgetting something, its only the gravel descents off Lincoln and Roxbury that are of concern. You need to take it easy on these, especially Lincoln, regardless of tire size. Aside from the gradient there is some chunkiness. I've done it on 28's, but I prefer larger tires all around, even on pavement. Definitely leave the knobbies at home. I'd take the 32 over the byways 34

Mike

[Charles Coldwell]

Indeed Lincoln and Roxbury are the only gravel descents. There are also some stretches of level gravel (Quaker St in Lincoln, Upper Plains Rd in Middlebury) and even a mile or so of gravel on the ascent of Lincoln Gap put there no doubt to discourage dilettantes. I did the ride last Sunday on 622-28 tires inflated to 7 bar (100 psi), but I wouldn't recommend it.

Apropos descents: although only two are gravel, all six deserve respect. App Gap in particular has some hairpins that nobody should try to take at speed, and there are straightaways on the Brandon descent that get scary fast. Not much has to go wrong for that to end badly.

So please come and enjoy the challenge and beautiful Vermont but take care to get home safely!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ne-randonneurs/a0edf19c-ee68-4430-8713-9cffe691a49bn%40googlegroups.com.

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Charles M. Coldwell, W1CMC
Belmont, Massachusetts, New England
"Turn on, log in, tune out"