Cycling in Northern Vermont

[easterbird]

I found this Chamber of Commerce site with what appear to be great loops for cycling. Has anyone cycled this area using any of these cue sheets?

http://www.nvda.net/Transp/documents/cycling_new.pdf

I'm looking for a new area(not PA) for BF and me to vacation. I cycle, he doesn't. Is this a 'picturesque' area..subjective, I know

[VeloVT]

All of Vermont is picturesque. Really. It's Eden in the summer time (and you should plan on coming between mid-July and late August for guaranteed nice cycling weather).

That said, if he isn't a cyclist, I'm not sure I'd go to the Northeast Kingdom. It's probably the most rural part of the state. Not much for him to do.

I'd steer you more towards Waitsfield/Warren/Stowe area. There's still nice cycling there (although it will be considerably hillier) but there is more to do off the bike and it's within 45 min of Montpelier (state capital, cute hippie town) and Burlington (largest city). Or you could stay in Middlebury, where there are a couple of cute B&Bs/inns and plenty of nice cycling around, also about 45 min from Burlington. Alternately, I'd go further south and maybe stay in Woodstock, which is pretty touristy but very cute and there's stuff to do for non-cyclists, and lots of pretty cycling/other stuff to do around Quechee/Norwich/Hanover area which is within riding/driving distance.

Oh -- if you do come to the northern part of the state, you should do a day in the Champlain Islands. It's quite flat, but outrageously pretty and the roads either have lovely wide shoulders or are so quiet that you don't have to worry.

[VeloVT]

The other thing you might consider is that I know Terry (the cycling company) runs a ride in Vermont every year. I have no idea how much it costs, but it might be a nice introduction.

[bluebug32]

Funny that you mention vacation places and that there's not as much to do in the Northeast Kingdom. I'm getting married in East Burke (outside of St. Johnsbury) in July, and my family is coming in from all over for the wedding. We love the mountain biking up there and the road riding is great too. We've done some investigating to find things for family to do and there are some fun day trips that are accessible from this area. As Liza suggested, you could stay in a more populated area, but it's definitely worth a day trip into the NEK!