NYC to Burlington, VT and back - seeking advice

[Reesha]

Also, please be advised as a long time resident of upstate NY and vermont border that it is definitely not flat. It's not the rockies, but there's considerable elevation in there.

Basically the geology of the region is Taconic mountain foreland (rolling hills and ridges) and then when you get to Vermont it certainly courses along the Champlain Valley but the bike routes are quite hilly.

Still, I figure you must be pretty fit to take on a tour of this kind, so maybe it's not a worry for you. But as a long time resident of the Adirondack Mtns and an avid Lake Champlain biker... I'd hardly call it flat.

Anyway, it's too bad I don't live in the area still because I would have offered to be of more assistance.

You also have the option of riding to the ferry across Lake Champlain to Essex, NY and catching AMTRAK back to NYC if need be in Westport, NY (just a few miles south). It's a 6-8 hour train ride, and a very pleasant one at that. If you were really tired after your tour, you could always do that. Westport is a fabulous little village too

[Reesha]

Also, once you get to Lake Champlain, the routes are exceptionally well marked. Lots of bike signs. It's hard to screw up once you get there.

Anyway, as for the route, I recommend keeping as close to the Hudson river as possible until you get to the Troy area and the area immediately north. I recommend taking Route 4 from there.

Here's a useful map for biking near and around Lake George in NY:

http://www.lakestolocks.com/map.php?region=3

Once you cross into Vermont, I recommend getting on 22A in Fair Haven and riding it until you arrive in Vergennes and then riding Route 7 (a very well marked cycling route-- even though it can be busy during rush hour, I believe it to be fairly safe until it gets a little hairier in South Burlington)

Also, apparently I forgot that the ferry from Charlotte drops you in Essex, NY. You can ride south to Westport from there on 22 South (a very beautiful, rolling route along the Lake)

Another option you have for getting to Burlington is to ride 9N along Lake George past Ticonderoga, NY and then when 9N breaks with Route 22 in Westport, NY, continue on 22 all the way to Port Kent where you can take the beeeaaautiful ferry into Burlington across Champlain.

Anyway, food for thought! I'm envious that you've got the stamina and ambition to do this!