RAR NAR

The Champlain Valley, New Haven, and Philadelphia chapters of Radical Adventure Riders are collaborating to host the third annual Northeast Autumn Retreat (RAR NAR). What is RAR NAR?! Only the best weekend of the year! It’s a long weekend full of workshops, group rides, yoga, bonfire stories, community building, bike skills, swimming, and joy! We spend our time relaxing and empowering our community around gender equity and inclusion, surrounded by bikes and the stunning hills that Vermont provides. This year, RAR NAR takes place from September 18-21st.

Large group of people posing for a photo in a forest setting

If you’re not familiar with the hosts, Radical Adventure Riders aims to elevate femme, women, trans, non-binary and BIPOC representation in cycling through challenging the narrative that these places exist only for a certain kind of ”outdoorsy” person. We remove barriers, open doors, and approach cycling with creative energy and joyful enthusiasm, all while centering safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. We have chapters all over the US and even an international chapter in Australia!

During RAR NAR, we build a liberating weekend for anyone who identifies under the femme, trans, women, non-binary and BIPOC umbrella to experience the joy that comes with biking and being outdoors in an inclusive community. We prioritize queer and BIPOC workshop leaders, keynote speakers, ride leaders, with justice at the center of everything we do. It’s wonderful to see the community come together with shared experience and inspiration, all while basking in the beautiful Vermont landscape. We promote accessibility through scholarships, work trade opportunities for discounted tickets, early registration for BIPOC, trans, and nonbinary attendees, beginner-friendly workshops and group rides, selecting a venue location as close to transit as possible, a robust gear-loaning library so no one is turned away because of lack to camping or biking equipment, and having a staff “accessibility coordinator” on site all weekend long to support folks with any disability, sensory, or general access needs they may have.

Group of cyclists on a trail surrounded by trees and greenery

Our first Retreat was hosted near Galusha Hill in Topsham, VT. We had tent camping galore with an outdoor kitchen setup and around 50 attendees. While the bike riding was hard, the friendship and bonding went harder! Many returned for our second Retreat last year, which was hosted at Camp Dream in East Fairfield, VT. Having access to a full industrial kitchen allowed us to increase our meal offerings from only dinner for 50 people to 3 meals a day for an increased attendance of 75 riders! In 2024, we had attendees from 13 states and 3 countries. In 2025, we saw that number increase to have representation from 14 states at our retreat, with attendees traveling via bikepacking, train, car, and plane from many cities, including Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and New Haven, CT. The magic at RAR NAR is what brings people from all over. Expect to find us gleefully soaking up the personal connections, fun, and inclusion that is prioritized all weekend long. It truly is a lovely weekend biking in Vermont!

Group of people sitting around tables in a room, engaged in conversation.

Dance class in progress with participants in a large indoor space.

One of the most-loved experiences of our second year was participating in Queer Country Line Dancing after our keynote speaker presentation. Attendees were given the weekend itinerary before packing for the Retreat and they showed up to the Line Dancing in style! It was a Pink Pony Club Palooza with glitter, tassels, bell-bottom jeans, and cowboy boots. The laughter, hugging and sweating was a welcomed indication that the weekend was a success.

Group of cyclists posing on a dirt road with cows in the background

For 2026, we have found a home in Southern Vermont, nestled between lakes and beautiful gravel roads to explore on two wheels. The organizers have been working diligently to provide the most joyful weekend for all attendees and cannot wait to see you in September!

Group of people meditating in a room with a colorful mural on the wall.

Come build your skills so you can go home and create change in your local community! As with all our events, there will be an emphasis on riding, social justice, and creating gender and racial equity in the bicycle adventure community. We would love more buddies to join the RAR NAR family, so check out our website at rarnar.org and consider if you’d like to register for 2026! Tickets have sold out both years that the retreat has been held so don’t delay - purchase your tickets ASAP. Our registration website is events.humanitix.com/RARNAR2026.

Group of cyclists riding on a dirt road surrounded by trees

Please reach out at rar.champlainvalley@gmail.com if you would like to join us but the ticket costs are too expensive. We are happy to talk with you about options. We currently have a couple volunteer slots open, which allows you to help out throughout the weekend in exchange for 50% off your RAR NAR ticket.

*Please recognize this space is intended for femme/trans/women/non-binary folks only. If you do not identify as such but would like to support our efforts, we ask that you donate through the event link*

Follow along for RAR NAR content anytime on Instagram @rar.champlainvalley.

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