The Leicester Hollow and Chandler Ridge loop can be ridden in either direction, but local guide Chris Anderson prefers to descend the rocky slabs of Leicester to the low point. Leicester runs through a classic Vermont "hollow" filled with verdant ferns, towering trees, and the gurgle of a stream dropping through a boulder field. The trail even traverses a series of boulders and rock slabs. Despite work to make the trail as rideable as possible, the rocks are never-ending. The humidity in the hollow makes for slick riding across the mossy rocks, which is why Anderson prefers to descend the slippery slabs on a long, pedally downhill.
Once it's time to turn uphill on Chandler, the ecosystem changes immediately: the terrain is dry on the ridge, and the oak trees were already dropping their leaves in mid-September, brown from the stress of an overly dry summer. The climb up the ridge is not for the faint of heart. Expect to grind in the granny gear, with powerful surges required to burst up the exposed rock slabs and root webs. While hike-a-bike may not be necessary, tricky rocks will knock riders off their line, forcing a reset and another attempt.
As the trail crests the top of the ridge, the singletrack rolls up and down, with short entertaining rock gardens, before punching back uphill. Finally, all of that work is rewarded with a descent to Silver Lake, albeit a quick one. Undoubtedly, the longest descent on this side of the network is the climb to reach the top of Chandler, making a good argument for going the other way instead. To each their own!
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