Hey everyone! Welcome to a special edition of the Class 4 podcast. We’re thrilled to bring you the Pilgrimage 2024 special. I’ll be your host, Derek, and with me is Cate.
A Warm Welcome
Cate: “Hi everyone! We’re so excited to see you. Can’t wait!”
Derek: This episode is all about helping you get the most out of Pilgrimage 2024, covering everything from registration to finding groups, provisioning, and answering those frequently asked questions. We know you’ve received plenty of information already, but this podcast allows us to be a bit more thorough, and, hopefully, fun!
First, a huge thank you to everyone for coming. This is our fourth year of the Pilgrimage, and it’s become an amazing community because of all of you. We’re just here to help you have fun, but you all make it what it is.
What We’re Looking Forward To
Derek: Cate, what are you most excited about this year?
Cate: “Definitely exploring new trails and getting more off-road experience. I’m also looking forward to connecting with other women at the event. I hope there are some other women driving—Tracy, Becky, can’t wait to see you all!”
This year is going to be all about like-minded people having a great time together, enjoying Vermont’s beautiful countryside, and checking out some cool sights like cellar holes and cemeteries.
Pre-Pilgrimage Party at Red Can
The first activity is actually happening before the Pilgrimage officially starts—our Pre-Pilgrimage Party at Red Can, starting at 6 PM on Wednesday. Red Can is Jason Merle’s amazing restaurant in White River Junction, and it’s hands down our favorite place to eat in Vermont right now. Come hang out with us before the main event begins!
Thursday: Registration and Getting Settled
On Thursday, registration opens at 9 AM. Please don’t pull in before 9 AM—we have prep work to get through, including getting our two kids to school! Once you arrive, drive past the treeline and down by the river, where you’ll see the big tent where registration takes place. Cate and Mike will be handling check-in.
Cate: “Please make sure you’ve filled out your waivers online. We don’t want to mess around with printed papers, and I don’t have a printer at the venue. You’ll also receive a welcome bag, which includes a Pilgrimage tote and a glass breaker seatbelt cutter—a gift that we hope you never need, but it’s there just in case.”
You’ll also get a vehicle sticker, which will be used in the raffle, so each vehicle has an equal chance to win. Only vehicles with stickers are allowed on the venue, so make sure you get yours placed by one of our staff members.
Cheryl will then guide you in her golf cart to your campsite, where our crew—Oliver from Texas and Dave from the UK—will help you get settled. Whether you prefer to camp by the riverside, along the treeline, or in the quieter area, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable.
Exploring the Trails and Getting into Groups
Once you’re set up, feel free to explore the Class IV roads. At the big tent, Alex and some of our staff will help folks assemble into groups, plan routes, and answer questions. If you need help with mapping, Alex is the go-to map guru.
In the tent, you’ll also find color-coded signs for different trail difficulty levels: green (easy), blue (intermediate), and red (advanced). Get into groups, make new friends, and most importantly, have fun. We recommend group sizes of about five to six vehicles for the best experience—larger groups can slow everyone down, especially on more challenging routes.
Vendor Area and Evening Activities
The vendor area opens at 5 PM on Thursday. We’ll have Farmers Market Pizza, an Indian vendor we met at Woodstock Farmers Market, and The Hendersons making grilled cheeses and french fries, perfect for kids.
Thursday night will also feature an ice cream sundae bar for the kids, plus glow sticks to keep them entertained and visible after dark. If you have a dog, we recommend getting a light-up collar—it really helps, especially when it gets busy and dark around the campsites.
Friday Schedule Highlights
On Friday morning, breakfast sandwiches and coffee will be provided by the Hendersons, by donation only. Registration will be open again from 8:30 to 10:30 AM, and then it’s time to hit the trails. The vendor area opens again at 5 PM, and the bar will also be up and running on Friday night.
We’re excited to have the Wolf Tree Mobile Bar for the first time, offering Vermont craft beers and proper cocktails, thanks to Jason Merle and Max from Wolf Tree Cocktail Bar. Additionally, there will be classes led by vendors like Explore New Hampshire and Overland Experts (OEX), covering topics from first aid to basic off-road recovery techniques.
Saturday and the Ladies’ Ride
Saturday starts with more breakfast from the Hendersons, and Cate will lead a Ladies’ Ride in the morning. This will be a gentle ride (greens and blues only) for women looking to enjoy the trails together. Cate also has some special Ladies of the Pilgrimage stickers to give out.
The raffle will take place at 6 PM on Saturday, with the winner drawn based on vehicle numbers. No extra tickets are needed—your registration covers it all.
Local Favorites and Provisioning Spots
We always recommend supporting local spots while you’re here. Some of our favorites include:
- Worthy Burger: Just a mile up the road, with great burgers and Hill Farmstead on tap.
- Carlita’s Cantoria: Tacos on the Village Green in South Royalton.
- Tunbridge General Store: Amazing breakfast and lunch options, along with a cozy Vermont atmosphere.
For essential services, we have Duprey’s Towing for recovery needs, and Kedron Valley Garage for bigger vehicle repairs. They’ve both been incredibly helpful in supporting our community.
Trail Etiquette and Safety Tips
A few important reminders for the trails:
- Always smile and wave at anyone you come across. You may encounter homeowners, and it’s important to maintain a friendly relationship.
- Stay on the marked trails. There are a lot of logging trails and side paths, but we stick to the designated Class IV roads.
- No large groups blocking entrances or exits. Assemble at marked points rather than parking in front of the tent.
- Pick up any trash you see along the way. We’ll provide trash bags at the registration tent, and there will be a dumpster at the venue.
Parting Thoughts
We want you to have an incredible time—whether that means taking it easy with some scenic greens and a maple creamy or challenging yourself on the harder trails. There’s no pressure, no ego, just a shared love for the experience and the community.
Cate will be leading her ladies’ ride Saturday morning, and we’ll have some cool merch available, including hats, patches, and stickers. If you have questions or need anything, feel free to call—my number’s on the site.
Thanks again for being part of the Pilgrimage. We can’t wait to see you all. Let’s make this the best one yet!
Cate: “Can’t wait to see everyone! Have a lovely evening, and get ready for a great adventure.”
