Set your summer cycling calendar with these local races and rides

By and large, the cycling community will welcome you with open arms. (Okemo Mountain Resort)

So, you’ve got a new bike, and you’re eager to share it with some like-minded folks. Awesome.

By and large, the cycling community will welcome you with open arms, and there’s no better way to improve your riding than sharing time in the saddle with others who share your passion. Sure, it’s natural to feel a little self-conscious in a group setting. The key is to not take it too seriously (and, really, how seriously can you be when everyone is wearing Lycra and Spandex).

Below are a few favorite races and/or rides. For a complete listing, check out BikeReg.com.

June 19

VTMonster Gravel Grinder

Newbury, N.H.

A 78-mile romp through central New Hampshire, beginning and ending at Mount Sunapee

Bond Brook Tread Fest

Augusta, Maine

Choose between 45-kilometer, 30-kilometer and 15-kilometer mountain bike routes

June 26

Trail Mix 100 Gravel Rhode Island Edition

Voluntown, Conn.

This fabulous 100-kilometer route incorporates dirt roads and some trails, but nothing too technical — the perfect route for anyone new to gravel riding

June 27

Coyote Hill Classic

Bradford, Vt.

Take you pick of four race routes — 18 miles, 12 miles, 6 miles or 2.5 miles.

Central Vermont Cycling Tour “Original Gravelgrinder”

Montpelier, Vt.

Among the best one-day bike tour routes in New England, featuring mountain vistas working farms, white-steepled churches, historic barns and waterfalls and lakes, the fully supported ride wraps up with a homestyle picnic dinner

July 5

Round Quabbin

Hardwick, Mass.

A 70-mile gravel fondo, with 5,500 feet of climbing, explores the long-abandoned network of roads that surrounds one of the largest reservoirs in the world

July 9-10

The Dirty Project

Norwich, Vt.

This two-day event (riders can choose to ride either day, or both) totals 130 miles (88 miles of dirt) and 13,645 feet of elevation gain

July 11

Maxxis ESC Intense Cycles DH Series/Maxxis ESC ENDURO Series

Thumder Mountain/Berkshire East, Charlemont, Mass.

Gravity racing at its finest, with both downhill and enduro disciplines

July 17

Carrabassett Backcountry Challenge

Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Three routes — 100 kilometer, 50 kilometer, 25 kilometer — cover a great mix of backcountry terrain winding through the unspoiled forests and hillsides of Carrabassett Valley and surrounding communities, consisting of technical singletrack, double track and dirt roads, with steep climbs and exciting downhills

Raid Lamoille

Craftsbury, Vt.

Hosted out of the Craftsbury Outdoor Center since 2012, Raid Lamoille traverses some of the most sublime gravel in the Northeast. Be sure to stay for the postride party.

July 18

Bikes for Bovines MTB Race

Keene, N.H.

Held at Stonewall Farm in Keene, this mountain bike event is a great family and spectator friendly venue, with proceeds supporting the Keene High School Nordic Ski Team Booster Club and Stonewall Farm

July 25

Plymouth Gravel Grinder

Plymouth, Mass.

Offering 55-mile (with 12 gravel sections) and 20-mile (with one gravel section) routes

Guilford Gravel Ginder (or The G3)

Guilford, Vt.

The fourth annual Guilford Gravel Grinder features some of the best rural dirt backroads in southern Vermont

Aug. 1

Maxxis ESC Intense Cycles DH Series/Maxxis ESC ENDURO Series

Bolton Valley, Vt.

Rooted Vermont presented by UnTapped

Richmond, Vt.

Featuring 48- and 82-mile routes, this celebration or Vermont’s gravel roads is close to Burlington

Kearsarge Klassic

Warner, N.H.

Relatively sane 55-mile and 35-mile options and, for the truly adventurous, an 83-mile route

Aug. 6-8

Vermont Gravel Camp presented by The Cycling Formula

Stowe, Vt.

Designed for both the experienced gravel racer looking to gain an edge or the casual intermediate rider looking to improve, this camp features the picturesque dirt roads and panoramic scenery of central Vermont

Aug. 7-8

Moat Mountain 24 Hours of Great Glen

Gorham, N.H.

A return to the classic 24-hour LeMans race format to Great Glen Trails, with teams competing all day and all night in the shadow of Mount Washington. There’s also a 12-hour version.

Cycle-Smart Massachusetts Cyclocross Camp

Southampton, Mass.

The 20th edition of this annual camp offers the chance to learn and practice cyclocross skills with experienced coaches and racers. The most popular, and most emulated, ’cross camp in North America, its unique attraction lies in its beautiful setting, fun atmosphere, mix of ability levels and personalities.

Aug. 12-15

The Vermont Challenge Tour

Stratton Mountain, Vt.

This will be the final year of this wonderful four-day tour of Vermont, from Manchester Center to Dorset. Limited to 100 riders. Don’t miss out.

Aug. 21

Deerfield, Dirt Road Randonee (D2R2)

Deerfield, Mass.

All three routes —– 180 kilometer, 100 kilometer, and a new 160 kilometer “mystery” ride — celebrate the landscape, the history, and the rural culture of western Massachusetts

Aug. 28

Rose Mountain Rumble

Lyndeborough, N.H.

The sixth annual Rose Mountain Rumble benefit gravel bike ride offers four routes — 20 miles, 40 miles, 50 miles and 100 kilometers

Aug. 29

Vermont Overland

West Windsor, Vt.

Don’t let the distance of 50 miles fool you. The Overland is tough, boasting 6,500 feet of climbing, seven sectors of “Vermont pavé” (unmaintained ancient public roads), two well-fortified sag stops, a magnificently scenic route and a terrific party afterward

Sept. 11-12

Maxxis ESC Intense Cycles DH Series/Maxxis ESC ENDURO Series

Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Sept. 14-19

TourXNewEngland presented by KC&E Adventures

Litchfield, Conn., to Woodstock, Vt.

This fully supported six-day, point-to-point ride from the Litchfield County Hills to the heart of the Green Mountains in lovely Woodstock. Traverse quiet back roads and dirt roads, averaging 40 to 60 miles and 3,000 to 6,000 feet of climbing (including Mount Greylock in Massachusetts) each day.

Sept. 26

Maxxis ESC Intense Cycles DH Series/Maxxis ESC ENDURO Series

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

Hancock, Mass.

Oct. 2

Maxxis ESC ENDURO Series

Powder Ridge Mountain Park

Middlefield, Conn.

Oct. 3

Maxxis ESC Intense Cycles DH Series

Powder Ridge Mountain Park

Middlefield, Conn.