Overview: Vermont has become a destination for cyclists seeking "gravel" riding. Join the leaders, for whom this area is home, on their third offering of this mixed surface tour, predominantly on the quiet gravel/dirt roads of northern Vermont. Designed for fit, adventurous cyclists, this tour features spectacular scenery, very pleasant dirt roads, and minimal traffic (once we get out of Burlington).  The tour starts and ends on the shores of Lake Champlain in the vibrant city of Burlington VT.  The planned routes take you to local treasures such as the Local Motion Bike Ferry, Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, Highland Center for the Arts, Hill Farmstead and Lost Nation Breweries, the Bread and Puppet Museum and the Museum of Every Day Life. There are 8 days of cycling, 4 of them required. Required rides range from 36-49 miles, have up to 3500' climbing, and have more paved road and/or rail trail than choice days. On choice days, routes bring us to the back roads and hills of Vermont where 1000' of climbing for every 10 miles traveled is common. There are fully paved options available on some choice days (34-75 miles with 2200-5125' climbing). Daily climbing ranges from 1800 to 5125' depending on the ride selected. This is a hilly tour!! The ideal bike is a road/gravel or a hard tail mountain bike with gearing appropriate for long, steep hills and tires that are a minimum 35 mm- tires wider than 35 mm provide more control, comfort, and confidence.  Tandems with the recommended tires and gearing are welcome. E-bikes will be considered on a case by case basis with preference given to participants who will be cycling with a companion. Fenders are highly recommended in the event of rain.  More important than your equipment is your fitness and sense of adventure. All participants must be self-sufficient due to limited cell service in some areas of the tour. We will not ride as a “stay together” group, and thus riders must bring (and be able to use) a navigation device (e.g., Garmin, Wahoo, smartphone with RWGPS, etc.) or plan to navigate via cue sheet and map. Non-cycling activities available on choice days include canoeing, kayaking, swimming, zip lining, mountain biking, disc golf, and light hiking. We will be in rural areas, away from services many are accustomed to.

Ride rating: The tour is rated 3B! The short options on the 4 required riding days have an average of 36 miles and 2500' of climbing. The longer options on required riding days average 43 miles and 3000' of climbing. Each day will feature several route options and, being locals, we can even help you create new routes to meet your needs. Please note: the optional/choice cycling days are where the tour really shines. Long climbs and frequent grades above 11% lead to great views and fun descents. In addition, the dirt/gravel road surface and rail trail add difficulty to this tour. Unusually hot and/or dry conditions may create loose/dusty roads in places and rain can make for a dirty, but fun, ride. It is also possible that we may encounter a road grader that will create a soft, loose riding surface for short distances. Other potential hazards include dark covered bridges with questionable riding surfaces and potholes in shadows.

Cue sheets, maps, GPS files: Downloadable Ride with GPS files and route maps of all rides will be provided. If desired, participants can print their own maps and cue sheets from Ride with GPS. We will use a large map of the area to discuss routes during social hour.

Weather: Expect daytime temperatures in the mid 70's to mid 80's and night temperatures in the mid 50s. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible as are 90+ degree days and 70 degree nights.

Lodging and meals:  The tour includes lodging for 9 nights, 8 breakfasts, 8 evening social hours, 3 lunches, and 5 group dinners. The first and last nights are at the newly renovated Harborvale (a Marriott Autograph hotel) in Burlington. We will spend 4 nights total (2 nights twice) at the moderate Smuggler's Notch Inn. 3 nights are spent at the at the popular Craftsbury Outdoor Center which has trails, lake swimming and kayaking. They offer comfortable dorm style lodging (twin beds, fans and no AC) with shared bathrooms in each hallway. With the exception of the first and last nights, please note that lodging is basic with no frills. 

Logistics: Arrive on Sunday August 22, 2027 at the Harborvale in Burlington VT. Allow enough time for travel, bike assembly, and settling in to join our first social hour and meeting at 5:30 followed by a group dinner. Depart before hotel check out on Tuesday August 31 (breakfast on your own).  Parking is available for $12/day at the public garage adjacent to the Harborvale. Burlington's (BTV) airport is 4 miles from the Harborvale. The hotel does NOT offer a shuttle to or from the airport. Amtrak is a 2 minute bike ride from the Harborvale.

Bicycle rentals: Quality gravel bike rentals are available from Ski Rack and North Star Sports- both are within walking distance of the starting and ending lodging (Harborvale).

Luggage: Your luggage will be transported by van. We suggest limiting the weight of your bags to under 30 lbs. because although you'll be handling your own bags, others may need to move your bags from time to time. Two smaller bags is easier for us than really heavy ones. You may want to bring along a small backpack, tote, or duffle, too. Laundry facilities are available on all days except the first and last.

Health and Safety: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leaders and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness to ensure the tour can continue as planned.  

Cost and administration: The estimated cost of this tour is $1880. Included are 9 nights of lodging, 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 evening social hours with snacks and beverages, 5 group dinners, housekeeping and meal gratuities, the Local Motion Bike Ferry, luggage transport in a van, bike box storage, RideWithGPS routes, and links to cue sheets and maps which you may print off on your own. The tour cost does not include lodging before or after the tour, parking, kayak/canoe rentals, or the zip line. A deposit of $1000 is required upon ride acceptance. A second and final payment of $880 is due by April 1, 2027. A solo single supplement is estimated to be an additional $905 and is also due on April 1, 2027.

Singles & Solos Policy:  A “single” is a member who signs up and wishes to share a room with another participant. A “solo” is a member who signs up, does not wish to share a room, and pays the solo supplement of $905. It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. After receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until April 1, 2027 to find a roommate. If they are unable to, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the solo supplement and stay on the ride. They may continue to seek a roommate but must plan to participate without a roommate, as a solo, if necessary. If a roommate is found, the solo supplement will be returned. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. 

There are two ways to pay the solo supplement:

1.        A check made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

2.       Zelle payment transfer using the following instructions:

·         In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient with the email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org

·         Initiate a payment

·         In the message block, enter the name of the ride.

Solo supplement payments are due by April 1, 2027.  

Cancellation policy: The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. 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. 

Ride Participant Responsibility: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. 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 might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage.

Insurance Statement: BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website.

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses are not covered).

Sign-up:  To register for this tour, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. The leaders will reach out to each interested participant to schedule a brief phone call to discuss the tour. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit ($1000) and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee ($85) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, 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.