Rochester Progression Trails Campaign

–Project Goal: $56,000–

The first $5,000 in raised funds will be matched by an anonymous donor!

Donations can also be mailed to:
Ridgeline Outdoor Collective
PO Box 217
Rochester, VT 05767

About the Project:  

Rochester Vermont is home to a robust trail network which includes machine built and technical heritage trails. It boasts significant segments of the Velomont trail which, when completed, will connect the Rochester and Randolph trail networks. The trails benefit the local riding community and attract visitors who serve as an economic driver for central Vermont. Local youth mountain bike programs rely on the network. While some trail variety exists, there is a lack of jump and progression trails in the network and in the region. The purpose of this project would be to create two new bike optimized gravity trails focused on progression.

 The progression trails would provide riders the opportunity to develop their riding abilities on trails designed to encourage repetition of new skills. The trails would be included in Rochester Valley Trails seasonal maintenance plan managed and executed by Ridgeline Outdoor Collective.  The two new progression trails will be free to the public.

The proposed Ridgeline Outdoor Collective blue and black progression jump trails will be constructed in partnership with Lepesqueur and Daughters LLC and are located on the property of Tom & Justine Lepesqueur.  The two progression jump trails have a Landowner Access Agreement in place and also have a conservation easement with the Vermont Land Trust.  

Blue Progression Trail (Phase 1)

• The Blue Progression trail would be a directional trail consisting of features including but not limited to table top jumps, step up jumps, step down jumps, berms, rollers, drops, roots, rock features and bridges. 
• All trail features would be rollable or optional. Progression features would be constructed to encourage skill development.
• The Blue Progression Trail would be built to be adaptive mountain bike (aMTB) friendly.
• In Phase 1 the trail would be approximately a half mile in length with easy access to the climb trail to make lapping practical. This shorter loop would be approachable to less experienced riders and act as an ideal backdrop for training and coaching.
• The target audience for this trail would be riders looking to learn or improve their jumping skills. The trail would be designed for low to intermediate level riders but also enjoyable for more experienced riders as an easier feature heavy jump trail. 
• Future phases of the blue progression trail could extend to the bottom of the black freeride jump trail. In the initial phase the users would have the option to merge onto the lower half of the Advanced Freeride trail.

Advanced Black Freeride Trail (Phase 2)

• The Advanced Black Freeride Trail would consist of trail features including but not limited to tabletop jumps, gap jumps, step up jumps, step down jumps, berms, rollers, large drops, roots, rock gardens, rock features and bridges.
• This will be a directional trail, descending approximately 260 vertical feet with 6-8% average grade, 3500’ – 4000’ in length.
• The trail would end near the lowest point of “Earls Trail”, which would serve as a return climb trail to make returning to the top easy.
• The target users for this trail would be advanced riders looking for a place to ride jumps and challenge themselves.
• This will be a feature heavy trail, combining large built features with the natural terrain.
• The lower half of the trail would be aMTB friendly and could be accessed from the Blue Progression trail. Accessible terrain for the upper jump trail will also be attempted, though may be deemed too difficult to accomplish.

Project Budget:  

A VMBA trail grant and a Press Forward grant (totaling $13k) along with $74,000 in kind match plus $5,000 in match and raised funds will be used to hire L&D Trailworks to construct the blue progression and black jump trails.  We need to raise an additional $56,000 ($14,500 for blue + $41,500 for black) to construct the blue progression trail and the black jump trail.

Blue Progression Trail – Phase 1 (2025)
Total Project Cost	$65,000
Money Raised as of 4/8/25
L&D Design, Labor & Machine In Kind Donation	$32,500
Anonymous Donation	$5,000
Press Forward Grant	$6,000
VMBA 2024 Trail Grant	$7,000
Total	$50,500
% Already Raised	77.70%
Balance Needed	$14,500

Black Jump Trail – Phase 2 (Future TBD)
Total Project Cost	$83,000
Money Raised as of 4/8/25
L&D Design, Labor & Machine In Kind Donation	$41,500
Total	$41,500
% Already Raised	50%
Balance Needed	$41,500

Project Timeline: 

Summer/Fall 2024 – project scope planning and input from partners
including Vermont Adaptive and Rochester Valley Trails committee (complete)

Fall/Winter 2024 – Apply for grants (complete)

Spring 2025 – Launch capital campaign (in progress)

Summer 2025 – Construct blue progression jump trail (pending funds)

Fall 2025 – Construct black jump trail (FUTURE TBD)

Community Support:  

Vermont Adaptive, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Vermont Huts Association, Rochester and Stockbridge Elementary Schools, One Planet After School Programing, and Ridgeline Outdoor Collective’s Ridge Riders youth bike program all support the Rochester progression trails project scope.

Summary

• Rochester Progression Trails project to be managed by Ridgeline Outdoor Collective.
• Design and construction to be completed by L&D Trailworks.
• Adaptive Friendly trails built following Kootenay Adaptive building standards in cooperation with Vermont Adaptive and VMBA.
• The progression trails will become a training resource for central Vermont youth programs including after school programs, summer camps and the Ridge Riders MTB team.
• Trails to be constructed on private land enrolled in the Vermont Land Trust and with a landowner access agreement.
• Clear signage to be posted at all intersections and trailheads.