Touring - Cycling in Poultney/Rutland Vermont area?

I'm not sure where the best place to put this post is, but I'll try here first. If this isn't the right forum, please feel free to move it where it needs to be.

I'm going to be in Vermont in mid-May and I'm looking for a little information on cycling in the area around this area of Vermont. I've never been to Vermont... but where ever I go, I like to do a little biking. I've called the Chamber of Commerce for Poultney (where I'll likely be staying) but they really can't tell me much about cycling in the area. I've got a laundry list, but if someone would please be so kind as to give me some leads, I'd really appreciate it.

Here goes:

- I'm traveling light, so I'll need to rent/buy (inexpensive) bike. Any info for good shops in the area would be helpful. Even if someone is *IN* the area and might have an extra bike to loan/rent to a really nice guy who treats bikes like gold.

- Routes, trestles, trails... is there a cycling coalition in the area? What's a must-see?

- Bike accessible camping. I'd like to spend at least one night out that I cycle to.

- (VERY OFF TOPIC) Has anyone ever Canoed one Lake St. Catherine? I'm a paddler... it would be stellar to find out a little bit about conditions on this lake. The parks web page is not good.

- (VERY OFF TOPIC) Birdwatching?

Okay... I think that's just about it. I'm also looking for a place to stay, but that's not as hard... I'm just trying to go on a dime.

Thanks again, in advance, for any and all advice.

-joshua

I'm not sure where the best place to put this post is, but I'll try here first. If this isn't the right forum, please feel free to move it where it needs to be.

I'm going to be in Vermont in mid-May and I'm looking for a little information on cycling in the area around this area of Vermont. I've never been to Vermont... but where ever I go, I like to do a little biking. I've called the Chamber of Commerce for Poultney (where I'll likely be staying) but they really can't tell me much about cycling in the area. I've got a laundry list, but if someone would please be so kind as to give me some leads, I'd really appreciate it.

Here goes:

- I'm traveling light, so I'll need to rent/buy (inexpensive) bike. Any info for good shops in the area would be helpful. Even if someone is *IN* the area and might have an extra bike to loan/rent to a really nice guy who treats bikes like gold.

- Routes, trestles, trails... is there a cycling coalition in the area? What's a must-see?

- Bike accessible camping. I'd like to spend at least one night out that I cycle to.

- (VERY OFF TOPIC) Has anyone ever Canoed one Lake St. Catherine? I'm a paddler... it would be stellar to find out a little bit about conditions on this lake. The parks web page is not good.

- (VERY OFF TOPIC) Birdwatching?

Okay... I think that's just about it. I'm also looking for a place to stay, but that's not as hard... I'm just trying to go on a dime.

Thanks again, in advance, for any and all advice.

-joshua

Great riding in that area! I have ridden most of that area over the years. There are great rail trails both north and south of Poultney.

There is a lot cyclists in the area I don't know if there is any local clubs or organizations, You might try googling Green Mountain College and Castleton State College and see if they have a student forum. The state wide cyclist organization is http://www.vtbikeped.org/

There used to be a bike shop in Poultney but it closed long ago, Bike shops that I know of are : Green Mountain Cyclery in Rutland. Sports Peddler in Rutland, Bicycle Tree In Middle Springs VT ( not sure if still there)
Manchester VT has 3 shops. One is Battenkill Sports, I don't recall the other two.

Lake St Catherine is nice early in the day. Midday and evening there are powerboats. Lake Bomoseen is nice and so is the lower Poultney river below West Haven http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/vermont/preserves/art18862.html
Lower Lake Champlain is one of my favorite flat water paddling destinations.

I'm not into birding but I have seen boat loads of bird watchers on the Lower Champlain

PS, there is camping all over the place especially east of Rutland in the mountains

You might check out a couple of books for ideas on where to ride: Shore Bike Rides Vermont by Sandy Duling, and 25 Bicycle Tours in Vermont by John Friedin.

The Lake Champlain area is a great area for Birders. You might check with the local Audobon Society about specifics.

PM this guy:
He lives in the area you are talking about.

http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?find=lastposter&t=259554

wow! thanks folks! I'll definitely check out all the info. :-)

-joshua