Although it starts with a tame, rolling 20-miles through Pleasant Valley, this trek quickly becomes arduous as the road turns into a 7-mile, 1,600-foot ascent to “The Notch.” During the early section of this 65-mile loop, riders will climb Mt. Mansfield past cliffs and waterfalls on their way to the Smuggler’s Notch Ski Area. On the switchback-laden descent, riders are then challenged to control their bikes until the road straightens for a swift coast into Stowe. For a greater test, cyclists can reverse the route and climb from Stowe, up to Smuggler’s, then descend into Pleasant Valley.