We don’t know what the weather’s going to be like later this year (it’s been so exceptionally hot so far) but we do know late summer in Vermont is traditionally one of the best times of year to visit this sublime New England state.
So, here are some suggestions for biking through and camping in the Green Mountain State:
- If you’re a novice rider, search out flat, gently undulating terrain. One of the best bets is to latch onto a Rails Trail. A good one is the route from East Alburg to Alburg, a seven-mile stretch arrayed along the former Central Vermont/Rutland Railway. Want something longer? Rockford to St. Albans is a 26-mile run, tracking the former Richford branch of the Central Vermont Railway.
- Intermediate bikers can check out the rolling, hilly geography of the Taconic and Vermont Plateau. It’s challenging, but it won’t push you beyond your limits.
- Okay, if you’re a bonafide big-time cyclist, someone who’s been there and got the T-shirt to prove it, consider the ups and downs of the Green Mountains. Highlights include Appalachian Gap, Smugglers’ Notch and Brandon Gap.
The state is rife with really nice multi-use bike paths too. Head to the shore of Lake Champlain in Burlington to find one of the best. There’s also a terrific multi-use path paralleling the Mountain Road in Stowe. In all, the state has almost three-dozen paths and trail projects under construction or planned just now. They take their outdoor recreation seriously.
It’s a natural to piggyback camping with biking up in this part of the country. Thirty-nine of Vermont’s 52 state parks offer camping. Facilities are first rate and the grounds are nicely maintained. Make tour reservations ahead of time. This time of year, there’s a two-day minimum stay.
(Image: Dougtone)
