My image of Vermont is cliche; to the point of silliness: maple sugar oozing from its seems. Tiny Vermont is like the kid sister to the rest of the continental United States–cute, sheltered and pure as the driven snow

The reality is that it is cute and rustic. Not really all that different from its image though. Its human year round population is just over 600,000. There are considerably more people when tourists are counted in winter.

Vermont Mountain Bike Trails

Vermont is, of course, known for its popularity as a skiing destination. Happily for mountain bikers these ski resorts have begun to offer their trails for use from June through mid-October to bicycles. After the winter snows melt there is a spring that the locals call mud season. This roughly equates to March through May. After this soggy season has ended bicycling, hiking and auto touring are attracting at least as many visitors as skiing traditionally did.

Worthwhile mountain bike trails in Vermont

The most popular ski resort area is Stowe, a small village located near Vermont’s highest peak, the 4,393 feet summit of Mount Mansfield. This is the location of the 5.5 mile (8.8 km) Stowe Recreation Path. A pastoral trail which leads from Stowe to Mt.Mansfield. This is suitable for most mountain bikers with good basic conditioning.

Here’s a short list of these mountain bike friendly resorts:

• MountSnowMountainBikeCenter
• StrattonMountain Resort
• Sugarbush Resort
• Killington
• JayPeak Resort

Inn to Inn Touring

Much of the state has gently rolling green terrain. Farm houses and barns dot this landscape and provide bike tours of unparalleled beauty. Early summer through fall are fairly good months weather wise. Vermont’s mountains are on average far lower elevations than those of the Rocky Mountains or the Southern Appalachians. This makes the skill level required much lower. It also reduces the risk from high altitude disease.

Hundreds of bed and breakfast inns are scattered liberally throughout Vermont and companies have developed to cater to those who plan to bike from inn to inn. This is probably the best way that you can enjoy Vermont. Inn prices are as low as or lower than other types of lodging. There is comparatively little traffic and summer has moderate weather. Fall is early and in September the views are brilliantly hued. This may be one of the most relaxing bike touring regions in the nation.

The following cater to this segment of the bicycle touring crowd:

• Bike Vermont of Woodstock, Vt. Contact at www.bikevt.com
• Bike Tours of Vermont Contact at www.pomgbike.com
• Bicycle Holidays. Contact at 1-800-292-5388.
• Cycle-Inn-Vermont of Ludlow, Vt. offers advice from the inn owners.

Rails to Trails Paved Bike Trails

Custom made for vacation or weekend biking there is the perfect trail for most skill levels. It is very near the Canadian border in the locale of Jay’s Peak. Wintry weather is likely late in spring and early in fall. The view makes even short use of the trail worthwhile but those in better condition will appreciate the 26.4 mile (42.24km) trail. Excluding motorized vehicles, the abandoned rail road beds are a valuable resource. Leading from Richford to St. Albans is the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail.
Another 34 mile (54.4 km) rails to trails path is the D&H Recreation Trail leading 20 miles (32km) from Castleton to West Rupert continuing through New YorkState.

Vermont Sight Seeing

Sights are everywhere in Vermont. Everything is historic. But here are a few must see locations:

• Any of Vermont’s 110 covered bridges. These are clearly marked on state maps.
• The Shelburne Museum located 6 miles (9.6 km) south of Burlington. This is a large museum with both an American folk art collection and works by Rembrandt, Monet, Winslow Homer and Mary Cassatt. Also this museum has extensively landscaped grounds with several buildings.
• Shelburne Farms is used as a bed and breakfast in summer months with over 1,000 acres this 110 room house is an over the top accommodation
• Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Basin Harbor honors Vermont’s sea faring traditions.
• Horses, cows and llamas (80 farms dedicated to this wool bearing animal statewide) are ubiquitous.

Equipment

I’m going to suggest a touring bike to see the sights. Upright handle bars, fenders, metal baskets, panniers, luggage racks, comfortable seats and a little bell! None of these things is very fashionable but they are practical for sight seeing.

The mountain bikes used at the ski resorts serve their purpose but aren’t necessary for the inn to inn or the rails to trails rider. Renting bikes for these less demanding purposes is probably more practical. Shipping a bike on the plane or train is possible but expensive and more hassle than necessary.