A New Gathering Place at the Gateway to the Mad River Valley
Some places have a way of coming back around. For generations, the intersection of Routes 100 and 17 has been one of the most recognizable crossroads in the Mad River Valley—a place where visitors arrive, locals connect, and adventures begin. This summer, that corner is entering a new chapter.
On Saturday, July 25, Grateful Gravel 2026 will celebrate the opening of the new Cousins Brewing Beer Garden and bring the Mad River Valley Recreation Hub to life with a full day of riding, music, food, and community. And while the event is built around incredible gravel cycling and the legendary music of the Grateful Dead, the real story might be the place where it all comes together.
The property at the intersection of Routes 100 and 17 has long been a gateway to the Valley. Originally home to the Gateway Motel in the 1950s, this location has always been a welcoming stop for travelers discovering the Mad River Valley. Today, that tradition continues in a whole new way.
The building at 9 Route 17—soon to be known again as The Gateway was known depending on how old you are. Some remember the Localfolk Smokehouse, the Mad Mountain Tavern or Mooselips. while some old-timers can still recall the High and Dry. Today is has become a hub for some of the Valley’s most unique and welcoming businesses and community resources.
It is home to Cousins Brewing, where great beer and good company have created a gathering place unlike anywhere else in the Valley. It is home to Silk Road Catering, where Savitri creates globally inspired food that has become a favorite at events and gatherings throughout Vermont. It is home to the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, helping visitors discover everything the Valley has to offer, and Stark Mountain Bike Works, keeping riders rolling and ready for adventure.
But the story extends beyond the building. Out back, a once-overlooked field is becoming one of the Valley’s most exciting new outdoor gathering spaces. With connections to downtown Waitsfield, a new trailhead kiosk, bike repair station, pump, open space, and the new Cousins Beer Garden, this is quickly becoming the place where recreation, community, and commerce meet.
Grateful Gravel is the perfect event to introduce this next chapter.
The day begins with challenging gravel rides through some of Vermont’s most beautiful landscapes, including options for experienced endurance riders, more relaxed cyclists, and guided mountain bike rides featuring the debut of a new trail. Then, starting in the afternoon, the property transforms into a community celebration.
Music begins with Mad River Valley favorites Sugar Shack, followed by Waterbury’s Dark Star Project, bringing the sounds of the Grateful Dead and plenty of reasons to stay awhile.
And, of course, there will be food.
Savitri and Silk Road Catering will be serving up the kind of food that makes people stop mid-bite and ask, “Who made this?” Riders will enjoy a post-ride meal, with additional food available throughout the afternoon. Pair that with a Cousins brew, live music, mountain views, and good friends, and you have the makings of a pretty perfect Vermont summer day.
The best part?
You don’t need to be a rider to join the celebration. Come for the music. Come for the food. Come for the beer. Come explore a new corner of the Valley that has quietly been transforming into one of the area’s most interesting gathering places.
Because that’s what makes the Mad River Valley special. The best places aren’t always the ones you find on a list. Sometimes they’re the ones you stumble upon, return to, and eventually wonder how you ever missed them.
We’ll see you at the Gateway. Just don’t tell everyone yet. We’re still enjoying the fact that it feels like our little secret.
