VT Northeast Kingdom Fall 2019

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW: This is the sixth time the Leevers have lead this tour. We begin and end the tour in S. Burlington, bordering the eclectic town of Burlington where a paved bike path skirts Lake Champlain and the students flood the UVM campus every fall. We pedal past quaint farms on old stagecoach routes with flaming sugar maples, apple festivals and country stores that offer VT cheddar cheese, Whoopy Pies and home-made soup.  We expanded our stay in Lyndonville to 3 nights because once you get to the Wildflower Inn, you don’t want to leave.  Here, there are hiking options, loop rides with a possible stop in St. Johnsbury where the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium is New England’s largest natural history museum. Then it’s on to the quaint village of Stowe, home of the famous Trapp Family.  There is a loop option that has a short or long version that allows you to tour the Ben and Jerry’s home base. Don’t miss the failed flavors graveyard. On our return to Burlington, we climb the 1200’ Smuggler’s Notch, so-named for whiskey-running in the 1930’s.  Social hours will feature local micro-brews, award-winning cheddar cheese and local apple products.

LOGISTICS: Arrive in S. Burlington, VT on Saturday, September 28, 2019 and last day of riding is Sunday, October 6, 2019, with departure day on Monday, Oct 7 from S. Burlington, Vermont. Arrival/Departure hotel: Best Western Windjammer Inn & Conference Center, 1076 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT 05403; Tel: (802) 863-1125 CONTACT: Doug McSweeney: doug@windjammergroup.com There is a complimentary hotel shuttle to/from the Burlington International Airport (BTV). No charge for car park and bike box storage.  Tandems and e-bikes will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Talk with the leaders about this.

GETTING THERE: Flying: Burlington International Airport (BTV). Contact hotel for shuttle bus. Driving: From Interstate 89 (I-89) take exit 14E (east) onto RT 2 / Williston Road – turn left at the third stop light into the hotel parking area.

RIDE RATING: 3C! The trip will average 51 miles/day and 2,760 feet of climbing for the shorter options, based on the mandatory riding days. There are three lay-over day rides with short or long options. There are two rides worth mentioning (ie; no bail out options): one has 58 miles/2,750’ feet and the other has 60 miles/3,100’ feet. The route climbs two passes: 1,710’ and 1,200’. This tour has frequent climbs and some of them sustained over several miles. Most climbs are in the 5-8% range, the grades are generally not severe. There are four short sections of unpaved road, totaling 10 miles, suitable for road bikes. Generally good road surfaces. Limited traffic except for the start/end hotel in S. Burlington.

COSTS: Your $500 deposit + final payment, due April 15, 2019, of $1,050 = $ 1550 will pay for all lodging, 3 dinners, 7 breakfasts, happy hours, and all administrative costs including maps, cue sheets, GPS files, luggage van and driver. After the tour we will provide a report of all expenses and return any money that remains after expenses have been paid.

SINGLES: We encourage single riders to sign up who are willing to share a room. We will assist with the singles search for a suitable room mate. Singles who are accepted but waiting to find a room mate will have a limited time-frame to do so if there are more BAC members registered on the wait list. Solo supplement is $745. We have not reserved solo rooms and will only offer a solo option if the tour does not fill within a few months. Should any solos be accepted, the Ride Leader will advise when the solo supplement payment is due. Any solo supplement payments will need to be mailed to BAC, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193, and checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.

WEATHER: The daily temperatures can vary from lows in the 50s to highs in the low 70s. If there is rain it will feel very cold. Plan to have protective rain gear including jacket, long pants, fingered gloves, helmet and shoe covers. Evenings are usually cool. Long pants and a warm jacket is recommended.

HOTELS and DAILY PLAN: This tour has 2-3 star hotels with the possibility to upgrade to a house at the Lyndonville Wildflower Inn. Sept 28 - Arrival Day; Sept 29 - Burlington to Montgomery - 60 miles /2,750' climb; Sept 30 – Montgomery to Newport – 46/57 miles– 2,850/3,350' climb; Oct 1– Newport to Lyndonville; 49 miles/3,100' climb; Oct 2- Lyndonvile Loop – 47/3,400' climb; Oct 3 – Lyndonville St Johnsbury Loop- 27 miles/2,000' climb; Oct 4 – Lyndonville to Stowe – 60 miles/3,100' climb; Oct 5 - Stowe Loop; 22/60 miles – 1,200/3,850' climb; Oct 6 - Stowe to Burlington – 40/47 miles – 2,000/3,200' climb; Oct 7 – Departure Day

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support, including changing their own flat tires.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance. 

REGISTER: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. Following your acceptance, you will receive an email message requesting you to sign the Release of Liability form and make credit card payments to BAC for the BAC fee and your initial deposit of $500. When your deposit is received, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.