Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal

The Missisquoi Paddle-Pedal combines 6.5 miles of paddling down a Wild and Scenic section of the Missisquoi River and 5 miles of cycling on the adjacent Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. This year’s Paddle-Pedal is set for Saturday, July 13.

Click here to register for the 2024 Paddle-Pedal!

Scholarships are available for residents of Franklin & Orleans Counties. Please submit this form instead of completing the registration on the right and someone will contact you to discuss participation.

Want to participate but not paddle and pedal? We need volunteers to make this event happen. Volunteers are needed to help with race timing, registration, and staffing road crossings. E-mail noah@northernforestcanoetrail.org for more info.

Thank You to Our Past & Present Partners

Upper Missisquoi & Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee
Town of Richford
North Country Federal Credit Union
Jay Cloud Cyclery
Northern Tier Center for Health
Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail
Montgomery Adventures

Event Rules

 

  • All participants must be checked in by 9:15 AM
  • No alcohol will be allowed in any craft.
  • You must be at least 14 years of age (if no adult is present).
  • You must have consent of parent or guardian (if under 18 years of age.) Coast Guard approved, over-the-shoulder, correctly sized life jackets must be worn at all times while on the water.
  • Overtaking canoes or cyclists have the right of way
  • Cyclists must ride single file, on the shoulder, on the short stretch of Route 105 prior to the rail trail entrance.
  • Riders overtaking others should pass on the left, and should voice “On Your Left”
  • If you have a mechanical failure while cycling, move off the trail as soon as possible.
  • If there is another cyclist behind you, you should move out of their way immediately.
  • Bike helmets must be worn at all times on the cycling portion.
  • For those racing, all racers in open canoes will use single blade paddles only.
  • Racers in kayaks or decked boats may use either single or double blade paddles.

 

Participant Classes

 

  • 3 Person Relay: Two paddlers, one cyclist
  • 2 Person Relay: One paddler, one cyclist
  • Recreational Class (Non-competitive, open to any boat): A general category in which anyone can participate. This class is also for any boat with more than two canoeists or for contestants entering a watercraft that is not considered a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Want to paddle but not compete? This class is for you!
  • Community Team: A boat or relay team with colleagues, friends, and family – representing the same organization. Create a team and challenge other groups!
  • High School: Both paddlers must be aged 15 to 18.
  • C2 (Men): Two men; canoe length can be up to 18′ 6″
  • C2 (Women): Two women; canoe length can be up to 18′ 6″
  • C2 (Mixed): One man and one woman, canoe length can be up to 18′ 6″
  • Kayak/Solo Canoe (Man): One man, kayak/canoe can be any length
  • Kayak/Solo Canoe (Woman): One women, kayak can be any length
  • Paddleboard: One participant propelling a stand-up paddleboard of any length
  • Senior/Junior: One adult and one paddler age 8-17
  • Golden Class: All participants over 65+

 

Please note that race classes may be consolidated if there are insufficient registrants in a specific class.

Route Overview

 

Schedule

 

  • 8:15-9:15 am: Bike drop off in East Berkshire. Participant check-in at Davis Park
  • 9:15-9:30: Safety talk in Davis Park
  • 9:30: Event begins! (Most participants will be finished in two hours.)
  • Noon-1: Eat lunch while your boat is shuttled by event staff back to Davis Park.
  • 12:45-1: Awards ceremony. Everyone goes home with a prize!
  • 1:30-2: Clean up

Boat and Bike Rentals

 

  • Rent a bike from Jay Cloud Cyclery. Call (802) 326-2055 for more info. 
  • $10 boat rentals are available from the UMATR Wild & Scenic Committee with an advance registration. Bike shuttling (to the take-out point) and boat shuttling (back to the start line) provided. Call (802) 933-3645 or email [email protected] for more info.
  • Free bike tune-ups available courtesy of Jay Cloud Cyclery! Look for Ethan at the East Berkshire transition point before the start, and in Davis Park after you finish!

Camping and Lodging

 

Camp 20 minutes away at peaceful Lake Carmi State Park. (Walk-in registration for camping is fine; no need for two night reservations). Lodging is also available at the Quincy Hotel of Enosburg Falls and at a new Airbnb listing in Richford.

 

Bed and Breakfasts