The Gaps of Vermont - Irene Aftermath
 

I'm not sure how many of you have ridden the six gaps of VT, but unfortunately many of them have been severely damaged by the floods of Irene. Yes, there are many more important things going on right now, such as rescuing stranded people (Killington, Hancock, Granville, Rochester, Pittsfield, etc), however just thought I would spread the word.

Furthermore, Route 100, Route 4, almost everything around unavailable.

Example (Brandon Gap):
http://rutlandherald.typepad.com/.a/...1242620970b-pi

Route 4 (connector to many riding locations):
http://rutlandherald.typepad.com/.a/...11a352a970b-pi

Backside of Killington on Route 100:
http://rutlandherald.typepad.com/.a/...6eb1970d-popup

Can't really get any photos yet of many places yet because still no access. Going to be a long rebuilding period for us Vermonters! Terrible for everyone, including the cycling community.

It's been all over the news and for those of us that have spent a lot of time in your neck of the woods, it's truly terrible news on many levels. I know so well many of the towns that had rivers come down Main St.

Long term it will hit the tourism trade hard as so many folks come to this region for any number of activities, cycling included. As well it's doubtful that the state will have the funding to get all of this repaired for leaf season as well as the winter. So a multi whammy for the state and all it's citizens.

FWIW, many area's of the Catskills got equally hammered, though for what ever reason, New Hampshire seemingly was spared somewhat, or perhaps all the newsies headed to VT. Not sure.

I myself have spent 2 days helping a friend get his electrical system back on line at a house in Freeport, L.I. where a 5ft tide washed over the southern 1/2 mile of town. Probably a few thousand homes all across the south shore of LI got inundated. Many friends I've talked have little empathy for folks that buy so close to the bay and ocean, knowing this is going to happen. Still, it's a home and good people live there and they need help. Fortunately for us, it's homes, some trees and that's about it. In Vermont and upstate NY it's entire infrastructures of roads, bridges as well as utility systems that are now gone.

I did a short ride with a friend in Vermont this summer (none of the gaps, just a casual ride). Seeing the destruction and knowing that some of the places we rode were probably washed out makes me incredibly sad. Vermonters in general take care of each other, and I have been glad to see how many people have joined together to do the best for their communities. Cycling is a stress-reliever, and losing that along with seeing the damage has to be disheartening. Hang in there!

I suspect the news people are just focusing in on VT. Apparently quite a few places in western Maine got flooded as well, such as Rumford, and even as far north as the Carrabassett R. near Sugarloaf Mtn where a bridge got washed out. Since NH is right in the middle it had to be affected as well.

Heading over to VT tomorrow morning for the GMSR...Still amazed that is going to happen...I worry that all the racers will just be undo stress on the people who are already dealing with so much....

As someone who is one of those news people, you're exactly right. The devastation in Vermont has been so bad that it's overshadowing the other New England states. Unfortunately many parts of New Hampshire are in awful shape. We just did a story at my TV station about the fact that pretty much every campground in the White Mountains is damaged. Right before Labor day too.

It's sad seeing that picture of Brandon Gap. I was just riding up that last summer. I actually know all those roads really well since my brother used to live in Vermont. The damage to Route 4 and Route 7 really does cripple the central part of the state. It's heartbreaking.

Although we have been spared from hurricanes for the past few seasons, we in Florida know too well the damage that they can do. I am glad that people living in areas seldom affected by hurricanes took the warnings seriously and evacuated ahead of time. Looking at the coverage by the media, it's sad to see some of the old bridges that have stood the test of time being wiped out by flood waters. Let's hope that the rebuilding process doesn't drag out like it has in New Orleans and that life goes back to normal for all those affected.

Here is to a rapid recovery for both your fine state and your neighbors in NH. Vermont is one of the most pristine states in our country and I hope you all are successful getting back on your feet as soon as possible. roads can be repaired and tourism will return---as John V stated, good news is warnings were mostly heeded and loss of life is minimal.

Get those out of state college students at UV to do some roadwork!!

I volunteer for another bike trip in your fine state soon.

The Upper Valley and parts of the Whites got it badly. The rest of NH is OK for the most part. VT, on the other hand, was absolutely pulverized.

Sympathies from NH to VT. We're helping in any way we can.

Vermont Flooding 2011

VT Irene Flood Relief Fund

To give you a sense of what it was like. This is RT 9, Willmington, VT - the main east/west artery between NH, VT and NY state.

http://youtu.be/5GQeG7EiE1Y

Closer to where I am in southwest NH, near Bratt: Williamsville, South Newfane, Newfane, East Dover, Jamaica, Townsend...all those towns connected by RT 30 and 9 are in really bad shape. Dover Rd. has craters 35ft deep and hundreds of feet long.

Any update on the Gaps? Looks like many might be open, but also that the state site only addresses state highways, so doesn't report on Lincoln, Roxbury and Bethel. Specifically, is the bridge from Rochester to Brandon passable at all--even on bike?

Route 4 just re-opened this past Thursday. I don't think the bridge on 73 to get into Rochester from Brandon Gap has even been touched yet because I still think they are making sure the folks in Hancock, Rochester, and Pittsfield can get to Killington via 100. I'll post something if I hear whats going on.

App gap is fine, Lincoln Gap I believe is fine (but you would have to come down south from waitsfield). I think all the others have something wrong with them to inhibit riding.