Your thoughts on Vermont

[Stephane]

In planning a trip to Vermont in September of this year (first two weeks), as my first time to Vermont, I would appreciate any experiences and recommendations as it pertains to:

1) Routes that are not to be missed:jawdrop .
2) Sites and locations that are not to be missed (I love pics!:lurk ).
3) Great places to stay on a budget:blah .

I am really flexible with route and will be planning to spend about nine riding days enjoying the sites and taking in the State.

Thanks!
Steve

[screwtop]

Well, I think you've picked a great state to explore and do some riding in. I rode it last year during the Rally. A friend and I rode Route 100 from Rutland up to Warren and then across 17 through the Lincoln Gap. I thought it was really nice riding. I think VT has alot to offer, and I liked the riding there better than in upstate NY.

Don't forget about some of the other attractions (breweries in Burlington, Middlebury and White River Junction, VT Teddy Bear Factory, etc.).

As far as accomodations, we used Rutland (10 miles from Killington) as a home base, and that put us within striking distance of just about anyplace we wanted to explore on a daily basis. We stayed at a Red Roof for a reasonable price. Anyway, have fun and let us know how you liked your trip.

[PAULBACH]

First, an interesting news story from Vermont:

MOOSE ALERT!! This from Judy Mirro: Vermont Fish & Wildlife has put out an advisory moose alert as May is the month when most drivers are likely to hit a moose, according to data kept by the department. "Based on the incidents state game wardens investigated last year, Vermont drivers hit 36 moose during the month of May," Fish and Wildlife Colonel Robert Rooks said. "The total number of collisions between motor vehicles and moose was 203 in 2006."

Given the increased numbers of moose in New Hampshire when compared to Vermont, 36 would be good year for us. Since 1985, 13 people have died in motor vehicle collisions with moose on Vermont highways.

Several of the more useful recommendations are to drive defensively and do not overdrive your headlights. It is also recommended that if you see a moose, slow down or stop. Trying to speed past one before it can move can be a fatal mistake. So what is the attraction? Moose are more mobile this time of year and are drawn to salt deposits that have collected along roadsides. The moose warning signs are a good indication that there are moose nearby and slowing down your speed would be a good call.

Of course you will be there in September but the story does give you a Vermont insight.

This is the official website for the VT MOVers (http://www.vtbmwmov.org/)

And check out this document (http://www.vtbmwmov.org/PDF/Vermont%20Attractions%20Rev%2060.pdf) written by someone with too much time on his hands :laugh

[2BikeMike]

Last year me and a buddy stayed at the Super 8 motel in White River Jct. We stayed 4 nights at around $235.00 total. It was clean and very nice. One of the best roads in VT. is route 100, by all means do this road, but really there are no bad roads in VT. The sheer beauty of the area is breath taking. You will be so happy to be there. Just west of White River Jct. on Rt. 4 is the town of Quechee, home of the Quechee Gorge. It's a beautiful area. There is a restaurant there called Dana's, pay them a visit. The food is fabulous and they are motorcycle friendly. There are something like 200+ covered bridges in VT. See how many you can find. There are also many old country stores with made in VT. products. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream in Waterbury is worth a stop also.:thumb Stowe is also a good town to investigate. Just west of Stowe on route 108 is Smuggler's Notch State Park, that's a pretty cool place. In neighboring New Hampshire, is Mt. Washington. If you are that close, ride to the top. It's worth it. Also in New Hampshire is the Kancamagus Hwy. that is an excellent road that runs alongside the river. There is so much to see and do, it's hard to go wrong regardless of which road you take. I wish I could go with you. As an aside every one told me to look out for the moose. I did. Only saw two.

[RTRandy]

It's all good so pretty much any of these recommended roads will be a good choice. 100 will keep coming up high on the list and rightfully so. 100 just south of Stowe is the Original Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory. Take the factory tour and get some free ice cream. Again mentioned is 108 NW of Stowe. Good road. Burlington is quite nice and you can ride numerous ferries up and down to cross Lake Champlain to the New York side riding in the Adirondak. Nothing wrong with heading east into New Hampshire and riding the White Mountains near Lincoln on 112 if you have time.

If you have any mechanical issues, just outside Burlington in Essex Junction is a great BMW motorcycle dealer, Franks. Great people if you need anything,

[antaeas]

When on Route A-Hundred, make sure to stop at Emerson Motor Works south of Rochester. Directions are on line at

http://emersonmotorworks.com/

The attached picture shows David Segal in his shop.

[BubbaZanetti]

like others have said, Rt 100, but don't forget the southern portion, and follow Rt 112 down to mass, great roads, take a right on to Rt 2 then follow it to the zoar gap road back up into Readsboro VT, along the Deerfield River, great scenery

[Newstar]

We attended the rally in VT last year and stayed the following week to poke around.

I recommend Route 108 around Stowe and Smugglers Notch. We stayed at the Alpenrose Motel in Stowe. The walking path in to town runs right behind the motel. While it was nothing fancy, it was clean and inexpensive. The owners couldn't have been nicer! As we arrived, so did a massive rain storm. In the middle of the thunder and lightening, I heard a knock on our door. There stood the owner of the motel with a huge umbrella offering to drive us in to town for a nice dinner! He told us to call when we were ready and he would come back to pick us up but the weather cleared and we chose to walk back.

That's the kind of hospitality you don't find in the chain hotels!

[bobs98]

Rt 100 runs N-S and all the parallel roads run thru the vallies. The E-W roads tend to run over the mountains and thru the gaps. Don't forget the "Northeast Kingdom" roads for a little more remote riding, much of it is park land. Beautiful scenery everywhere. Northwest along Lake Champlain, it's all good. Mt Washinton, Kacamangus Hwy, Bear Notch Rd in NH are great day rides and the Adirondacks, Lake Placid and great roads in upstate NY are within easy reach as well.

Only have 2 weeks? Sorry, but you'll want to go back to see more.

[HFD190]

You have chosen a great place to do some riding! As other posts have said, I would also recommend day trips into NY or NH, even ME is within reach. Coming my way (into NY) I would advise you to do a loop in the NE corner of the Adirondack park. One of my favorites is Rt. 28 to Blue Mountain Lake, Rt. 30 to Tupper Lake, Rt. 3 to Saranac Lake, then to Lake Placid and east back into VT. You could incorporate one of many short hikes as well as the ferry ride across Lake Champlain.

I would also recommend a stop at the Long Trail Brewing Co. This is a super little micro-brewery located in Bridgewater Corners, VT. Long Trail Ale is popular in the VT / NH pubs. If you are going east/west through VT, Rt. 4 is busy but it takes you through this little town about 20-30 miles east of Killington. Great food, would be perfect for lunch! Last time I visited I was in my cage, however there were 3 RT’s in the lot!!!

Good luck!

[PAULBACH]

You have chosen a great place to do some riding! As other posts have said, I would also recommend day trips into NY or NH, even ME is within reach. Coming my way (into NY) I would advise you to do a loop in the NE corner of the Adirondack park. One of my favorites is Rt. 28 to Blue Mountain Lake, Rt. 30 to Tupper Lake, Rt. 3 to Saranac Lake, then to Lake Placid and east back into VT. You could incorporate one of many short hikes as well as the ferry ride across Lake Champlain.

+1 :thumb

[SCQTT]

I rode around Vermont 10 years ago on the way back from the Montreal F1.

This is sort of what I remember

Not too many places to stay, not as easy to just "grab a room" like a lot of the US

Beautiful, somewhat similar to West Virginia, but the people in Vermont seem to have better taste. (just replace the hillbilly/redneck factor with the granola/hippie factor & you'll get the picture) :laugh

Beautiful, awesome riding.

[redrider]

The following are great Vt roads.
Rte 17 from Waitsfield to Bristol.The Appalachian Gap.Lots of curves several decreasing radius turns (seriously).
Rte 125 off Rte 100 to East Middlebury through Ripton. Lots of curvesand scenery
Rte 73 from Rochester to Brandon.Brandon Gap.

Rte 100 from Newport to Mass border.
Rte 108 from Stowe to Jeffersonville via Smugglers Notch.
Rte 2 through Champlain Islands.Spectacular on a sunny day.
Rte 30 from Poultney south to Manchester Depot,Bondville south to Jamaica.

In Sept there should be few problems on places to stay.

[kbasa]

Be aware that at that time of year, you may be competing with the leaf peepers for rooms.

Distances are shortish, so plan on spending some time doing activities off the bike.

[HFD190]

What is the road number that the floating bridge is on ? Also the Revolutionary War road in the north...........yes it is gravel but fun. :thumb

The floating bridge is in Brookfield, VT. The Road is Rt. 65 which is Main Street (East / West) through town. The bridge spans Sunset Lake. I know that it is just east of I-89, however I think there are several other roads in and out of the area. I was there one time on two wheels, and there was too much water to pass over, or maybe I was just lacking in adventurous motivation…

[Rob Nye]

Greetings,

Two weeks is enough time to enjoy and explore Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.

I have a fair bit of New England experience (myself or direct family have residences in every NE state) and September is a great time of year to poke around.

If you have any specific questions feel free to send me a pm.

Best,

Rob Nye
Yankee and Proud

[Stephane]

Your contributions, advice and recommendations are more than I expected!!!
Please keep posting as it is my intention to keep coming back to this threat until the time of my trip (September 2007)!

Would love to see some pics of great locations if anyone has any.

Steve

[antaeas]

I just rode into The Barn at Emerson, south of Rochester VT. The section of Route 100 south of Waterbury to Moretown is being repaved, with scarified pavement and no pavement for about 7 miles. I rode it without problems, though. I saw signs that Route 73 from Rochester toward Brandon is also under construction.

Ride safely!

[madcatdad]

Can't say enough about VT RT 100..if you're coming in from the south, you can get onto it in Wilmington (midway between Bennington and Brattleboro), and follow it north all the way to Stowe, then finish it off by taking rt 108 up and over into Jeffersonville. That ride will take you thru Mt. Snow, Killington, Smuggler's Notch, Mad River Glen, Sugarbush, Mt. Bromley, etc. You'll be here before the serious leaf peepers, but count on room rates to get more expensive as the colors change!

Good Eats? the diner just east of Manchester (don't forget to visit the Orvis shop in Manchester, you can feed trophy trout....great free fun!) Fancier food in Queeche @ Simon Pearce restaurant, where you'll overlook the river/bridge. or check out the Countrymans Pleasure, just east of Rutland. The Alchemist Pub in Waterbury, Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater are both great and rider friendly.

If you need more info, I live in the marble capital, (Proctor, VT) I'm on every back road in VT as part of my 9-5 and back on them on the weekends on my K100rt. Drop me a line, we're always glad to share our state w/visitors!

[BouncinBob]

I was just roaming around VT and NH, blasted home from Rutland on Monday.

You have lots of good suggestions. I'll add a couple;

Stayed at the Econolodge in Brattleboro. Rate was decent, not great. But the Greek pizza a block away was awesome....

For breakfast... some diner... hang on, let me check the GPS.... Shoot, I don't remember the name. Across the street from the State Police Barraks at 464 Marlboro Rd. Friendly, fun and good.

If you get to Conway NH, The Scarecrow. A pub the locals hang out in.

Oh, and I forgot, I didn't get a chance to ride it, but a local recommended Rt 14 up north.