| Bicycling in Vermont If you've never ridden in | | | | has been graded it can be like riding on marbles. It will |
| Vermont it's time you did! Vermont has some of the | | | | take twice the energy to get to where you are |
| nicest roads and trails for biking that you will find. Of | | | | going. Dirt roads can also be very dusty leaving you |
| course as some say "Vermont ain't flat" and if you | | | | in a cloud of dust each time a car passes by. Now |
| bike here you quickly see what they mean. There | | | | that I've made dirt roads sound so appealing lets look |
| are some flatter roads and trails in the Champlain | | | | at some of their finer points. They really can be |
| Valley but you will often have a head wind to deal | | | | great roads to ride. You'll typically find even less |
| with in exchange for the lack of hills. Most of the hills | | | | traffic on them and they can take you to some |
| really aren't that bad and with many bikes having | | | | beautiful locations that you just won't see by sticking |
| triple chain rings you can gear down enough to make | | | | to the pavement. Traveling on secondary dirt roads |
| the climbs manageable. As a reward for conquering a | | | | just gives you a feeling of a slower pace and a step |
| hill you'll see fantastic views and experience the fun | | | | back in time. A cross style bike will make these rides |
| of coasting back down; "what goes up must come | | | | more enjoyable since they have wider tires than a |
| down!" For road biking there isn't much that beats | | | | road bike to absorb the bumps; yet narrow enough |
| the northeast corner of Vermont. The population is | | | | to lower the rolling resistance. Vermont truly is a |
| low and so is the traffic. If you are able to ride during | | | | paradise for mountain biking. There are many single |
| the week rather than weekends you may only see a | | | | track trails through out the state and miles of old |
| car or two over the course of your ride. Even on the | | | | forth class roads and jeep trails. In Vermont we have |
| weekends the traffic is pretty low on most of these | | | | a road classification of forth class which is an |
| roads and when I say "low traffic" that is from the | | | | unimproved road. These are not maintained in the |
| perspective of someone who lives on a dead end dirt | | | | winter and are often little more than trails since they |
| road. I think the traffic in Montpelier is heavy. If you | | | | have not been maintained for years. It's not |
| hail from the flat lands (south of Brattleboro) you are | | | | uncommon to find the remains of old villages and |
| probably used to a much higher level of traffic. Even | | | | homestead sites on these old roads. Many of them |
| with the light traffic keep in mind that Vermont road | | | | lead to old settlements which were abandoned back |
| laws require that bicycles ride single file. Please | | | | in the 1920s and have long since collapsed leaving just |
| respect this if riding here as it goes a long ways | | | | the stone cellar holes as evidence of habitation. If |
| toward keeping good relations with the automobile | | | | you don't want to see any traffic this is your best |
| drivers on our roads. Sharing the road goes both | | | | option. These are still state roads so it is possible that |
| ways. Along with the low traffic in the Northeast | | | | you might encounter a jeep or four wheel drive |
| there are wonderful views of woodlands, lakes, old | | | | pickup out there but odds are you won't see anyone |
| farms, and small Vermont villages. Many of these | | | | at all. Vermont has a growing number of mountain |
| villages have quaint general stores where you can | | | | bike groups which are always working on new single |
| stop for a break and a cold drink while out for your | | | | track trails. Many of these are only know to locals so |
| ride. We do have our share of pot holes and cracks | | | | your best bet is to visit the neighborhood bike shop |
| in the roads so it's a good idea to use a durable tire. | | | | for tips on finding these rides. Much of the single |
| I've ridden with narrow racing tires but had problems | | | | track is less visible than the moose and deer herd |
| with pinch flats from hitting some of these pot holes. | | | | paths so they can be very hard to find if you don't |
| Be sure you have a patch kit just in case. If dirt | | | | know where to look. Use common sense when riding |
| roads are your thing Vermont is the place for you! At | | | | these trails, do not skid and stay off the trails when |
| times these roads can actually be smoother than the | | | | they are wet or muddy. This causes erosion and |
| paved roads. The conditions do vary however | | | | animosity toward mountain bikers as a group. Please |
| depending on how much rain we've had and how long | | | | respect the land. Vermont has it all. Great low traffic |
| it has been since the road was last graded. Most | | | | paved roads; miles or dirt back roads; and a wide |
| towns use a grader many times a summer to | | | | variety of off road options. Make some time to visit |
| remove washboards from the dirt roads. If you | | | | this season and see what Vermont has to offer! |
| happen to be out for a ride the day after the road | | | | |