July 4, 2010 - Bristol, Vermont
Start from Bristol, Vermont OR Fly into Burlington/Transfer to North Hero. The tour begins and ends at VBT Headquarters in Bristol, Vermont. From Bristol, we will shuttle to our first inn, North Hero House. Please plan to arrive between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on the first day of the tour and have lunch before departing from VBT. The shuttle to North Hero leaves promptly at 12:30 p.m. (travel time approximately 1 1/4 hour). If you arrive after this time, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the inn.
At the North Hero House, settle in and relax until 3:30 p.m., when your VBT Trip Leaders fit you to your bike and offer a brief cycling-skills clinic, followed by a short warm-up ride. Enjoy dinner at the inn at 7:00 p.m.
Meals: D
Hotel: North Hero House
Mileage: 11 mile ride
July 5, 2010 - Cycle Isle La Motte and North Hero Island
This morning we cycle northward along the lake, crossing over a bridge causeway to Isle La Motte, Champlain Islands. Ride quiet back roads on Isle La Motte, stopping to visit the historic St. Anne's Shrine and Fisk Quarry. The Shrine has lovely views of Lake Champlain, information on local history, short walking trails and inherent serenity. Spend some time taking in the natural and historical sights, some of which date to Samuel de Champlain's 1666 discovery of the area. After a picnic lunch, join an included guided kayaking excursion, or you may choose to continue cycling south along the beautiful shoreline or relax before dinner at the inn.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: North Hero House
Mileage: 26 mile ride with an option to ride 5 or 17 additional miles
July 6, 2010 - South Hero/Bike Path to Burlington and Shelburne
After cycling along the Grand Isle shore, reach South Hero, the largest of the Champlain Islands. Lake views with gentle terrain and some unpaved roads here make for pleasant cycling. We will board a bicycle ferry operated by Local Motion and cross “the cut” to the Burlington Bike Path. After a picnic lunch, continue cycling to Burlington.
After settling into the historic Lang House in downtown Burlington, enjoy some free time before we attend a picnic dinner in our honor hosted by the Burlington Club of Bryn Mawr at the home of Alison Kosakowski, Class of 2001.
Meals: B, L
Hotel: Lang House
Mileage: 29 mile ride with an option to ride 12 additional miles
July 7, 2010 - Shelburne, Lake Champlain, East Middlebury
Explore Shelburne/Cycle along Lake Champlain/Shuttle to East Middlebury
After breakfast, enjoy a ride along the shores of Lake Champlain. Scan the waves and try to catch a glimpse of “Champ,” the legendary lake creature that some say is related to the Loch Ness Monster!
At the conclusion of your ride, continue on to either Shelburne Farms or Shelburne Museum for an included visit. Shelburne Museum has a fine collection of more than 150,000 works in a remarkable setting of 39 exhibition buildings. Shelburne Farms has beautiful grounds and interesting architecture. Meet back at the Shelburne Museum parking lot at 4 p.m. for the shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) to East Middlebury. Relax or take a stroll before dinner at the Waybury Inn.
Meals: B, D
Hotel: Waybury Inn
Mileage: 18 mile ride with an option to ride 10 additional miles
July 8, 2010 - Explore Middlebury
During your ride this morning take time and stop to see the magnificent animals at the famous UVM Morgan Horse Farm, dedicated to the preservation of a breed with a long Vermont heritage. Then, ride into Middlebury, a charming college town that borders the Green Mountain National Forest. Settled around the time of the Revolutionary War, Middlebury is the home of prestigious Middlebury College---and the quintessential picture of a charming old New England town, with its white steeples, beautiful natural surroundings and vibrant downtown area. It was here that John Deere, inventor of the world's first steel moldboard plow, served as an apprentice in a blacksmith's shop from 1821 to 1825. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Visit Danforth Pewter, a workshop and store owned and operated by a fifth-generation pewtersmith; view the exhibits at the Middlebury College Art Museum, where you can discover thousands of objects ranging from antiquities to contemporary art; browse the many quaint shops downtown; or find your own adventure.
Finish the day with a scenic ride back to East Middlebury to dine at the inn's fine restaurant. For those looking for more riding, take a late-afternoon ride from the Inn to Lake Dunmore and Branbury State Park for a refreshing swim.
Meals: B, D
Hotel: Waybury Inn
Mileage: 21 mile ride with an option to ride 9, 13 or 19 additional miles
July 9, 2010 - Cycle north to Lincoln and Bristol/Depart for home
This morning, relax while you eat breakfast at the Inn. Your last day of cycling takes you through some classic farmland. Ride peacefully on back roads along the Hogback Ridge, a major foothill of the Green Mountains, and north to Bristol. Visit the quaint shops in Bristol and Lincoln, and stop to swim along the New Haven River. After lunch on your own, cycle to VBT Bicycling Vacations Worldwide Headquarters. VBT has made arrangements with Bristol Fitness for shower facilities to be available from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. A shuttle will be provided from VBT Headquarters to the Burlington International Airport departing at 2 p.m. If you need to get to the airport prior to that time, your leaders can assist you with making reservations at your own expense with a local taxi service. Guests who drove to the start of the tour may depart at their leisure.
Meals: B
Mileage: 20 mile ride with an option to ride 10 additional miles
