jeff51

hi, much appreciate advice from bicyclists who've ridden the adventure cycling green mt. loop. i'm thinking of riding it early-mid sept, and wondered about traffic, food and ice cream, camping possibilities, and also suggestions on things to do along the way. usually i tour on car free long distance bike paths, but the green mt loop looks like a great trip. thanks, appreciate the help,

jeff

https://bicycletouringoncarfreepaths.org/

VT_Speed_TR

Early to mid Sept. Is a perfect time to tour around here. The leaf peepers don't come in huge numbers until late Sept and early Oct. I've not riden the Loop, but have done many parts. The Loop incorporates the many different areas of Vermont (city/Burlington, across the northern teir and the approach to the Green Mtn, then into the Northeast Kingdom which is very nice and devoid of crowds. the ride down the Conn. River valley is especially nice, and then you get to climb over the mtns again and back into the Lake Champlain valley. the state parks are nice, never stayed at a commercial campground around here. After mid Oct most of the state parks and private campgrounds close. Your timeframe will also be before all the hotels & BB"s fill up during foliage season.

indyfabz

Did it supported last year. The East Alternative clockwise and then back to Burlington. It's very nice. Just be prepared for some good climbs and descents. Rochester Gap east to west was pretty brutal. Middlebury Gap was easier until the last few miles. Other than around the larger towns and in a few places along the lake the first day, traffic was sparse to non-existent. There are also some unpaved roads. Managed fine on skinny tires.

As VT notes, the state parks are nice. We spent the night before the first day of riding at the public campground in Burlington. Also stayed at Lake Carmi, Brighton (near Island Pond), where we saw and heard a loon, and Button Bay. Swimming was available at all three. Also stayed at Silver Lake, but that's off route uphill quite a ways. One private campground off route somewhere.

Our trip was catered, but since I do self-contained touring, I notice such things as food availability. Nothing close where we stayed except at Burlington (obviously), Brighton (Island Pond has a grocery store) and Silver Lake.

indyfabz

Forgot...See if you can access this:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1553696452813&comments&set=t.1547239304&type=1

njkayaker

The easy ones!!

https://www.northeastcycling.com/six_gaps.html

VT_Speed_TR

The Burlington campground most likely was the Burlington city park - North Beach. Nice place to stay, right on the bike path for quick runs to downtown, and as the name implies, has a very large and nice beach. Just follow the bike path in the other direction into Colchester, around Mallets Bay, and then over to the Islands to head north. Or stay on the mainland side and work your way up to the Mississqoi Rail trail and then up to Lake Carmi state Park

indyfabz

It was the Burlington city park. The beach is nice and large. I was pleasantly surprisesd.

In '99 I did Brandon Gap west to east while crossing the country. It was the one climb on the entire trip I thought I might have to walk on.