| Sorry, Vermont Districts are the weekend you mention. If you want
to take a memorable ride in that area, though, and you don't mind
killing most of a day, try the Tour of the Gaps. This is the course
we used for New England Championships back in 1974. From Burlington,
head south on Route 116. Just before Bristol, turn east on Route 17.
This takes you over Appalachian Gap -- 9 miles of climbing broken up
by a couple of all-too-brief downhills. The last 2 miles are *steep*!
(42-23)
The descent that follows is almost as long as the climb, with several
sharp switchbacks to test your brakes. No kidding -- this'll show you
how a good bike handler can make time on the downhills in the
mountain stages in the TdF. This is the only course I've raced
on in 18 years that requires really primo descending skills if you're
going to go all-out.
When Route 17 meets Route 100, turn south. For the next 20 miles
the terrain is undulating, forest and farmland. There's an absolutely
gorgeous waterfall on the way (can't miss it) where you can cool off
if the weekend is hot. Last time I stopped there, the water was quite
drinkable.
When Route 100 meets Route 125, turn west on 125. Now you're in for
six more miles of climbing, up Middlebury Gap. Middlebury Gap
shouldn't be *quite* as hard as Appalachian Gap, but it is, since
you've *already* done Appalachian Gap. The descent is through some
of the most beautiful New England forest you'll find anywhere.
At East Middlebury, 125 joins up with 116, which will take you back
to Burlington. If you want to fuel up and take a rest, Dayton's
store is right on the corner.
The rest of the ride is through undulating farmland, and when you get
back to Burlington, you will have done approximately 120 miles.
After you've rested up from this ride, you will be able to eat
*anything* (and everything!).
It's not a race, but it's a great challenge anyway. If you want to
measure performance, any time under an hour from Route 116 to Route 100
is good (45 minutes of this will be getting to the top of the first
Gap). Ditto for Middlebury Gap (from Route 100 to the top in half an
hour or less is good -- the descent to East Middlebury is longer, and
not all downhill).
Most of the top Burlington area riders use this for training. It makes
the climbs in any other New England race (except the Brandon Gap stage
at Killington, maybe) look easy!
Justin
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The Tour of the Gaps ride sounds great, but I have to comment on
this one piece of advice...
> When Route 17 meets Route 100, turn south. For the next 20 miles
> the terrain is undulating, forest and farmland. There's an absolutely
> gorgeous waterfall on the way (can't miss it) where you can cool off
> if the weekend is hot. Last time I stopped there, the water was quite
> drinkable.
You shouldn't drink from any open stream in New England without
either boiling, chemically sterilizing or filtering it first. You'll be
leaving yourself open to Giardia (Isn't this what Lemond recently had?) and
other intestinal infections. When I go backpacking in the White and Green
mountains I bring my water with me. I refer you to the Hiking notesfile
(BTOQA::HIKING) for technical discussions on the matter.
JimH
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