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