The Bitter Pill
- Date Sat 26th July 2025
- Time 6:00AM EDT
- Location East Burke, Vermont
- Price $149.40
- Races 1 race
- Distances Ultra
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Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of adventure at The Bitter Pill, taking place on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, in the stunning East Burke, Vermont. This exciting summer adventure race welcomes teams of two or three to experience a thrilling combination of hiking, biking, and paddling, all while navigating through breathtaking landscapes. Now in its 18th edition, The Bitter Pill is designed to challenge even the most experienced racers while providing a fantastic introduction to adventure racing for newcomers.
Participants can look forward to a dynamic course that features various outdoor disciplines, including navigation with a topographical map and compass, mountain biking, trekking, and paddling. With a focus on self-sufficiency, teams will embark on an unforgettable journey, tackling the course at their own pace and discovering hidden gems along the way. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time adventurer, The Bitter Pill promises a unique experience filled with camaraderie, challenge, and the thrill of the great outdoors. Don't miss out on this chance to make lasting memories in the beautiful surroundings of East Burke!
Participants can look forward to a dynamic course that features various outdoor disciplines, including navigation with a topographical map and compass, mountain biking, trekking, and paddling. With a focus on self-sufficiency, teams will embark on an unforgettable journey, tackling the course at their own pace and discovering hidden gems along the way. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time adventurer, The Bitter Pill promises a unique experience filled with camaraderie, challenge, and the thrill of the great outdoors. Don't miss out on this chance to make lasting memories in the beautiful surroundings of East Burke!
Organiser's Description
INTRODUCTION
The Bitter Pill is a summer adventure race for teams of two or three. We will be holding the 18th edition of the Bitter Pill on Saturday July 26th, 2025 in East Burke, VT.
This race features summer disciplines like hiking, biking, and time on the water as well as requiring you to continually navigate. We are known for being able to really challenge experienced teams while providing a great race for the first-timers. If you have never done an adventure race before, this is a great way to get started.
Whats the short description of this event? Lets put it this way: well get your team out into the woods and on the water, doing different activities, navigating with a map, and going to places you never would have otherwise. Youll have an incredible, unique experience with other teams there to do the same. The competition is truly with the course youll go as fast and far as you want to, all with a goal of making it to the finish and seeing as much of the course as possible.
Teams do not need support crews for this event. Outside of what is provided by the race organizers, teams must be self-sufficient. This is an adventure, after all!
DISCIPLINES
The 2025 race will likely feature the following disciplines, but were not officially announcing anything quite yet:
* Navigation with topographical map and compass
* Mountain Biking
* Hiking / Trekking
* Paddling
Keep in mind that these disciplines can occur in any order, and you could have multiple sections in the course for each activity. Well sometimes surprise you with other disciplines too a short swim, a quick climb but nothing you wouldnt be prepared for.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
* Is this a good race for a team new to adventure racing?
* Absolutely. A twelve-hour race is the standard length for a beginner adventure race. One thing we do really well is providing a enjoyable experience for the new teams.
* Will we be plotting UTM coordinates?
* No. We use pre-plotted maps. We made the decision as an organization that in a race of this length it made more sense considering the number of new teams we see. Never fear the navigation will be challenging enough without this extra step.
* Can we leave personal gear we dont need behind, such as our PFD when not on the paddle section or bike helmet when not on the bike section?
* Assume the answer is no. Some races will have a section where you can leave some gear and grab it later but this is generally not the case. Your best bet is to practice carrying everything and adjust based on the specifics of the course. You can leave water bottles attached to your bike, but you cant leave your helmet and shoes behind unless specifically told otherwise. (Dont worry, you do get to leave the boat and bike behind when not on those sections.)
* Do I need a real mountain bike for this race?
* Our courses typically feature all sorts of terrain, including technical trails, forest roads, paved roads, and even hike-a-bike sections. We always recommend a real mountain bike but if you want to try your luck with a hybrid or single speed bike, thats your call.
The Bitter Pill is a summer adventure race for teams of two or three. We will be holding the 18th edition of the Bitter Pill on Saturday July 26th, 2025 in East Burke, VT.
This race features summer disciplines like hiking, biking, and time on the water as well as requiring you to continually navigate. We are known for being able to really challenge experienced teams while providing a great race for the first-timers. If you have never done an adventure race before, this is a great way to get started.
Whats the short description of this event? Lets put it this way: well get your team out into the woods and on the water, doing different activities, navigating with a map, and going to places you never would have otherwise. Youll have an incredible, unique experience with other teams there to do the same. The competition is truly with the course youll go as fast and far as you want to, all with a goal of making it to the finish and seeing as much of the course as possible.
Teams do not need support crews for this event. Outside of what is provided by the race organizers, teams must be self-sufficient. This is an adventure, after all!
DISCIPLINES
The 2025 race will likely feature the following disciplines, but were not officially announcing anything quite yet:
* Navigation with topographical map and compass
* Mountain Biking
* Hiking / Trekking
* Paddling
Keep in mind that these disciplines can occur in any order, and you could have multiple sections in the course for each activity. Well sometimes surprise you with other disciplines too a short swim, a quick climb but nothing you wouldnt be prepared for.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
* Is this a good race for a team new to adventure racing?
* Absolutely. A twelve-hour race is the standard length for a beginner adventure race. One thing we do really well is providing a enjoyable experience for the new teams.
* Will we be plotting UTM coordinates?
* No. We use pre-plotted maps. We made the decision as an organization that in a race of this length it made more sense considering the number of new teams we see. Never fear the navigation will be challenging enough without this extra step.
* Can we leave personal gear we dont need behind, such as our PFD when not on the paddle section or bike helmet when not on the bike section?
* Assume the answer is no. Some races will have a section where you can leave some gear and grab it later but this is generally not the case. Your best bet is to practice carrying everything and adjust based on the specifics of the course. You can leave water bottles attached to your bike, but you cant leave your helmet and shoes behind unless specifically told otherwise. (Dont worry, you do get to leave the boat and bike behind when not on those sections.)
* Do I need a real mountain bike for this race?
* Our courses typically feature all sorts of terrain, including technical trails, forest roads, paved roads, and even hike-a-bike sections. We always recommend a real mountain bike but if you want to try your luck with a hybrid or single speed bike, thats your call.
Races
-
Bitter Pill 12 HR Adventure Race
Incl. $9.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 26th July 2025 (6:00AM EDT)
$149.40
The Bitter Pill