Bike Vermont Tour photos

[Ray]

I turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and headed up to Vermont for a week of relaxed riding last week as a bit of a celebration. I went with Bike Vermont for some semi-luxury touring - the same company Smiley and others are going to be riding with in August. It was a great tour. They have some great guides and the inns are a nice combination of rustic and funky (although one of the three we stayed in was pretty fancy). They have plenty of options for riding as long and hard or as short and easy as you wanted. I did mid 40s the first couple of days, in the 30s the next couple, and the last day was just a quick 22-23 back to the cars. The trip was in the Middlebury area and was not terribly difficult, but Vermont, as the guides will constantly remind you, ain't flat. There were lots of hills, a few of them were tough enough to be memorable.

Anyway, a few shots.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0413reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0414reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0422reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0441reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0462reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0449reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0468reduced.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0464reduced.jpg

[Ray]

These were not our guides, but they're reputed to work for a competing outfit.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0466reduced.jpg

[Ray]

A quick pic of my trusty steed. My main Spectrum isn't the bike designed for touring, but its the bike I always seem to want to ride, so it was the bike I took. I have both a compact crank and mtb rear cassette so a low gear of 34x34. More than low enough for almost everything, but there was one climb on this trip that I was working hard to turn even THAT gear over. I'd have used lower if I'd had it.

Note the funky red-bespoked wheels. Ugly, but they're the new tubeless from Fulcrum. I'm really sold on tubeless. I used 23mm tires on this tour, which I'd usually never consider. But with the reduced pressure, they were wonderfully supple and comfortable and had no problem with bad roads, dirt roads, etc. Really nice - I may never ride clinchers again.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh252/ramboorider/Vermont%2009/IMG_0423reduced.jpg

[false_Aest]

That grass is so effin' green!

I expect that Bilbo and the Shire will be around the corner.

Def. jealous.

[skijoring]

:beer: Awesome Ray, I know most of those roads. :beer:

[Ahneida Ride]

I know a few of those roads too.

Thanks for the Pictures Ray ...

Bike Vermont is a great organization. :beer:

[bluto]

Beautiful shots, and thanks for sharing. I don't think the wheels look all that ugly.

Those roads look about as good as it gets for cycling.

Do those roads get much car traffic?

[Ray]

Beautiful shots, and thanks for sharing. I don't think the wheels look all that ugly.

Those roads look about as good as it gets for cycling.

Do those roads get much car traffic?
Most of them get VERY little traffic. A couple of them get a fair amount. One of them is 22A, which gets a fair amount, but was empty when I took the shot. Plenty of quiet back roads though - you just have to know where they are. Which Bike Vermont does.

-Ray

[Smiley]

Nice pics Ray, was Elaine one of your guides cause if so, she's great.

We did travel through Middlebury and stayed at the famous Inn from the Bob Newhart show which I assume you meant about high end?

[Matt-H]

I did a single inn Bike Vermont tour based out of Vergennes a few years ago and can't say enough good things about the experience. Wonderful rides and company. Brian, a guide from the Woodstock area, and David, a retired surgeon from North Carolina if I remember, were unbelievably great guys.

Last June, a friend got married in Bridgewater Corners and B.V. supported a group ride the morning of the wedding. Again, great experience with Brian repeating as a guide.

I would love to do another tour with them.

[Ray]

Nice pics Ray, was Elaine one of your guides cause if so, she's great.

We did travel through Middlebury and stayed at the famous Inn from the Bob Newhart show which I assume you meant about high end?
Nope. Meg and Bill. Meg was my guide on the other Bike Vermont tour I did in 2002. Also wonderful. Being a bike guide takes a particular personality - I'm almost always impressed with their ability to stay friendly and enthusiastic for five straight (and full) days.

The Newhart Inn in East Middlebury wasn't the fancy one. The Lilac Inn in Brandon was really fancy, but the Shoreham Inn was my favorite. A funky little Irish pub with rooms upstairs. Very cozy and run by GREAT folks. I may go back there with my wife for a few days sometime.

-Ray

[beungood]

Wow, that looks like an incredible vacation. I have gone to a hunting camp in Vermont for 13 years and never thought of biking in the warmer weather there. What area does that take place in?

[Steevo]

Looks like it was a great cycling vacation with fantastic riding. Also a great way to mark the milestone. Happy birthday from one 59er to another.

[Pete Serotta]

Looks like you had a wonderful birthday, weather, and beauty....

I will have a glass of red in your honor :beer:

[trophyoftexas]

Gee's now you've done it!....now there's ONE MORE place I've gotta figure out a way to get to!!!!! Wonderful pictures, Ray! It looks almost exactly like the kind of roads and terrain that I ride when I go to my sisters place up around Leelanau, Michigan. She's done some of the Vermont-stuff so perhaps she and I can go do one of these someday....thanks for sharing!

[mike p]

Thanks for the pic's Ray. There freakin beautiful! Makes me want to go there.

Mike