The Island Line Trail Map

New this past summer: the Island Line Trail map. Much like its predecessor, it highlights the waterfront trail, but now expands upon Colchester's, South Hero's, and South Burlington's connector paths.

I love the fold-out style. It's easy to read and also guides users a half mile from lakefront to downtown's pedestrian mall —a big draw for first time visitors to Burlington. I'm so impressed with this year's format that I keep an extra copy to give to Warm Showers guests. Getting around town can be difficult—and even harder to describe—especially cycling to/from our home, a sweaty 200 foot gain from lake level. Now it's as easy as handing fellow cyclers a map and letting them decide which course to follow.

Women's Garage Sale Ride

I did a little research the day before, using Craig's List. Highlight location on map,
while displaying addresses in side bar. This helped to define an efficient route. 

I didn't know what to expect for turnout. My quest to lead a garage sale ride, supporting Local Motion's campaign to inspire more women to ride, was a shot in the dark. But, lo and behold, a spry grey-haired triathlete and a plucky college-age lady riding an old Raleigh are waiting when I roll to the meeting place. 

I'd made two maps: one for the north end of the city, the other for downtown. The two-hour timeframe didn't allow for both routes and as I've learned, five or six sales is enough—any more and eyes glaze over. It didn't matter to the ladies which area to browse, so I decide to cruise the vicinity around downtown.

The young lady quickly scores on a frying pan and mini-trash can. The heavy pan goes in her backpack while she dangles a lightweight bag containing her other item from her handle bars. I love how resourceful she is. Since she was also a new Burlington resident, and hadn't heard of the Causeway—a gem we insist she must experience—we detour to provide her with a Burlington Bike Map.

Near the end of the Garage Sale Tour we stumble on the best venue yet—a moving sale—and not on the itinerary. I buy a metal pencil sharpener in the shape of the Eiffel Tower—a tacky thing I wished I'd acquired in Paris last fall. I also got a sturdier recipe box. Since it holds less cards than the one in my cupboard, it prompted me to clean out unused recipes. I also score a nice water bottle from the free pile. Now I have plenty for an upcoming trip. I guess some things are just meant to be.

For two and a half hours we made minor purchases, chatted, and got some exercise. That's the whole point of the Women's Ride Series—a low-key way to meet and encourage other like-minded individuals.

Who else likes garage-sailing on two wheels?

Vermont Bikeways Map

Burlington's iconic pedestrian mall is on cover's upper quadrant.

The first road and trails bike map produced by Vermont Department of Tourism is a stellar addition to any riders' collection. Vermont's roads are divided onto two sides, which allows for optimum scale.

An example of color coding, according to road surface. I used this map
 to plot my recent bike overnight.

What I find especially appealing: it's possible to ride loops—day-long or multi-day—by linking easy-to-read color coded routes. And, if you're amenable to cruising dirt roads, Vermont's treasures are endless.

Go to Vermont Vacations to download a PDF map or have a printed copy dropped in the mail. It's free.

Revitalize a Map Case

Large map case has simple hook and loop fasteners that attach to handlebar.

I own two map cases and they are identical. They were given to me because I participated in organized rides. I like some of the case's features, however, I felt they could be improved to better suit my needs. I had time recently to catch up on projects, so read on for my alterations.

A unique feature: opened map case turns into a shopping bag. Map or cue sheet
stays in place. Incidentally, Auberge Harris is a nice accommodation
if you're touring around Lake Champlain. I've stayed there twice. 

The case's original intent was that it unfolds, doubling as a shopping bag. There are two pockets. One holds a map. The other conceals pop out handles. The material is constructed of woven plastic fiber. It's strong and no doubt can hold a bagful of goods.

As you can see, it's also an advertisement for a hotel. That part doesn't bother me. It's a place that caters to bicyclists, supporter of Velo Quebec, our north of the border regional cycling authority whose advocacy work resulted in a network of separate cycle paths throughout the province. When a map tucks inside the clear plastic, the logo all but disappears, rendering an obnoxiously blaring graphic nearly nonexistent.

Black tape along bottom is virtually like the fabric tape along stitched side seams.

I first altered the case size. I no longer want or need the bag feature. I cut off the bottom half to desired size, then snipped the looped handles.

I folded the cut end and laid a piece of black tape along its entire length. I burnished the tape with rounded scissor handles. The tape is a cross between duct tape and electrical tape. It's strong, infused with fibers. My son claims it's hockey tape. Whatever its name, it works and the color blends well.

I moved married side of Velcro-like closure to just below my thumb.

Since one side of the Velcro-like fastener was now on the lower end of bag that I'd removed, I used a seam ripper to undo the large stitches holding it in place. I returned it to the correct position, secured with super glue, and tape on both sides, running its entire length. It might be better to machine sew the fastener, however it's nearly impossible in the current configuration with pre-stitched sides. I also don't want to risk mistreating my machine. (I will look into its capabilities, though. I can foresee other projects, using worn tire tubes that would require machine sewing.)

Dual pouches could come in handy for bus schedule, money, etc.
Tote handles are no longer in the way.

Refashioned case with map folded to show my next bike overnight route.

Now, I have a re-purposed map case. It's lighter than the original. It's larger than most cases on the market, allowing easier map folding (without entirely creasing the paper) so I presume maps could have longer life. It has two pockets. That feature alone makes it unique. I was so pleased with the result that I went ahead and reformed the second case.

Anniversary Bike Overnight

Waiting at the ferry dock.

I had an idea for our anniversary. Usually we get away for a 4-day pedal sometime in September, but with my European plans eating up weeks we weren't sure it would happen this year. I'd miss that time alone as a couple, so I suggested a simple bike overnight. This means more to us than any restaurant celebration.

Lightweight packing on my Trek 830 Antelope. 

It all came together pretty fast. We planned to be away about 24 hours. Rummage through closets and cardboard boxes. Each pack a pad and sleeping bag. I hauled the tent; my husband the stove, necessities, tools, first aid. Keep the peace between our boys while we pack. Run them to their grandparents. Roll the bikes from the garage, then downhill to catch the 1:00 ferry to New York.

Bridgestone MB-3 with larger panniers. Cushy Thermarest pad
 and rolled up fleece blanket strapped to rear rack.

We changed course late in the planning, opting for a quick jaunt across the lake into the Adirondacks. I have all these maps from a ride years ago—one I cherished as it brought me deep into New York hills. Both my hub and I value the Lake Champlain Bikeways map as it not only shows the lake route, but a myriad of loops associated with it. I taped up our battered copy after my last ride.

I keyed on a campground about thirty miles away—perfect for the later start.

Enjoying the cool breeze and view from the upper deck.

After all, we were celebrating 23 wonderful years of marriage. No need to make this a strenuous adventure; the point was to just get away.

We cruised beside the Ausable River. With lower rainfall this summer the normally rushing, soothing sounds of water were merely stagnant pools. But no matter. We pedaled together.

At one point the unmistakable thwack-thwack noise meant I picked up something on the rear tire. I stopped and extracted a .25" piece of glass from the new rubber I'd replaced that very morning. Amazingly, the air remained. Yikes! That Nimbus tire I'd made fun of really did the trick. I'm now convinced that I will further spend good dough on puncture resistant tires.

We encountered a few smaller climbs and then one whopping mile-long pull, but I expected this. I'd done this route before and knew that I'd eventually return with my favorite riding partner. There's something special about this high plateau, with fragrant pines and aspen edging the road, even an escarpment of cliffs in the distance. With nary an automobile on these back roads in New York state, and the incredible network of smooth paved lanes, it's a bike rider's paradise. Sadly, hardly any route in Vermont can compare.

The North Face tent that we still love for its roomy interior and freestanding capabilities.

Around 6 p.m. we pulled into Taylor Pond and snagged the last campsite. Our anniversary weekend seems to coincide with Lake Placid's Ironman Triathlon. After calling ahead, but unable to make a last minute reservation, we expected to free camp on the state land should all sites be occupied, but miraculously we got lucky.

It's a rustic campground with pit toilets and no showers, but it's also hugs a 4 mile long lake. We went for a swim. The water was much warmer than Lake Champlain. Later, I washed my hair at the site.

As we discovered, Steve is also an avid non-motorized bike rider.

Our dinner of pesto and noodles was combined with biker Steve's amazing spread. My husband had earlier befriended this Minnesotan, who toured from his home to the Maine coast and was on the return ride. I presumed the attraction was because of the grey beards (just kidding), but learned that they shared the love of travel,hitchhiking in their younger years to some of the same places.

With our pot of noodles in tow we shared dinner at his table. A bottle of wine was open. Steve pulled out salad, his wife's homemade blue cheese dressing, croutons, and lobster pieces for topping, fresh from Maine. Egads, that was for starters! I helped myself to wine while he roasted a whole onion with butter in aluminum foil in the fire along with a baked potato. When that was done, he grilled a fresh piece of salmon in a square two-sided rack over the open flames. Yuuummmmy! Steve responded to our marveling at his accouterments and fine fare, "I've had a lot of practice. I aim to eat well."

It was quiet evening for me because I use ear plugs, but the Hub was awakened at 3 a.m. by party goers and couldn't get back to sleep. I didn't expect a warm night either, especially at nearly 1500 feet in elevation, wanting to test the lightweight down bag I'd borrowed from a friend. Instead I used it as a blanket. I'm preoccupied with lessening the weight and volume of camping gear. With a lighter, compressible bag, I was able to stow that, my pad, raincoat, cup, and utensils in one small pannier. That's pretty amazing.

The following morning, with a less than exciting bowl of oatmeal, we mapped a similar length, alternate route back to the ferry.

Rocky hillside in background.

This way brought us closer to the rock ledges and was mostly downhill—any way would've been descending back to the lake. The road conditions were sublime, smooth, and we didn't see a car for 30 minutes.

Even on the more heavily traveled route with road markings, the traffic was nil. It was a Sunday morning so it was also devoid of commuters.

We dropped in altitude until we were among the wide open Peru apple orchards. I hadn't seen this style of farming: pruned trees and spaced closely, since traveling in the Netherlands.

It also appeared that there was some type of irrigation.

My main squeeze, enjoying the beautiful day.

Typical style of large, old apple trees with barns filled with tractors and wooden boxes.

We'd underestimated the oatmeal breakfast providing enough calories to get us going. I was famished soon after we left the campsite and gobbled a breakfast sandwich at a convenience store. Andy's diet and stomach though, could wait for a healthier meal. Two hours after we set out we found a nice grocery. It was growing hot and we refueled, then stocked up on ferry ride munchies.

The boat ride back was wilder. Waves crashed over the bow, sometimes splashing our bikes. We kept an eye on them. I was concerned about the down bag getting soaked, but only a spray hit that pannier. It was mostly sheltered against the rail.

Homeward bound.

The route displayed in Map My Ride. Note the elevation change. We camped at the high point.

A New Route and using Map My Ride

60 F, periods of light rain

It's that time of year when we know our riding days are numbered, so my husband and I took advantage of a hour and a half of free time. Tired of our usual loops, we set out pedaling eastward for a change. It's a low traffic, urban route north of the Burlington airport, following the Winooski River basin. We linked Burlington, South Burlington, and Williston. I had forgotten how beautiful it is and though I didn't take any pictures (had to keep up with my faster bike date), I'll share some taken this past week.

Along the way, I made sure to show my partner Lou's Crossing.

I like this tractor collection.

Neighborhood trees.

Since our ride wasn't one we'd done before, I mapped the route on Map My Ride. I use this site whenever I need to gather mileage on a particular route. I keep track of yearly cumulative miles so, if I haven't a clue because we've been gabbing or it's hilly and may take longer, this way I can log more accurate data.

New Burlington Bike Map

Photo Credit: Seven Days

Bike Maps Are So Hot  reads the headline of the recent Seven Days online blog. This is Burlington's swanky and often talked about weekly paper. The rag has jazzy ads and is big on the arts scene. It often covers anything to do with bicycling so I was thrilled to hear about the recent article by Lauren Ober. 

 

Burlington has waited for months for this new edition, and just in time too, as cyclists and vacationers have taken to the waterfront trail in hordes. The map also covers surrounding cities so when the mood strikes one can venture further, especially on the lesser used, but equally nice, South Burlington network.

 

Kudos to the Burlington Walk/Bike Council for making this map available to the public for FREE.

Sample of the map. Photo Credit: Seven Days

Bike Camping

What to do when I have a week off from work? Hmmm…how about a bit of bike camping!

I picked out a two-day route that started in Waterbury, just a short drive from home where I could catch a ride with my hubby to his work place and start from there. I also chose the best weather days of the week.

Planned route in central Vermont. Lake Champlain at left.

All packed and ready to roll, I was a bit wobbly at first. I hadn’t ridden the Trek since an early spring ride with the hub.

I wanted to explore dirt roads north of Montpelier. I stopped at a cemetery to eat a snack under the shade of a huge maple tree. I pressed on, confirming turns with whoever was outside their homes. I wanted to just wing the directions  – I’m not a big fan of Google maps. But it is a bit precarious having to depend upon the kindness of strangers…because, as I found out, you might just miss a turn. I did, and soon I was descending a 6-mile hill, right back into Montpelier.

To backtrack up another long hill to stay on my route is out of the question when one is hauling 30 lbs., so I adapted and started following the Cross VT Trail because I knew it basically headed eastward. I needed to be at a certain camping area by the end of the day to continue the loop on Thursday.

In Montpelier the Trail follows an unused rail road corridor for a half mile. I loved this sculpture of a mish-mash of bike parts. Look closely and you might find something in that jumble that you recognize. I found a Mixte frame.

At a general store in East Montpelier I was advised to try out a rail trail that would lead me in the right direction. It started as single track…

Then there was a major washout. I managed to get around it following a treacherous path, already trampled by others.

There were sections completely denuded of gravel where old rail ties were exposed like pick-up sticks. I walked those areas, but at times the path was beautiful too.

.

I was later to learn that only two weeks earlier a tornado-like torrential storm dropped 11 inches of rain in 24 hours in central Vermont. Roads were still closed, bridges non-existent and some towns still were in the process of reconstruction.

After 55 miles I was tired and set up my tent at a state park. A shower always feels great and afterward I wore my rain gear and hat to ward off the black flies. I had forgotten my utensils so for dinner I ate a can of ravioli with my pocket knife, stabbing one ravioli at a time.  At dusk I retreated to the tent where I easily fell asleep, listening to the loons on the nearby lake.

Morning mist and cool weather drove the insects away. I drank my yogurt (did you know you can do that?), wiped the muck off my rims from the previous day’s trail ride, and left early. I always enjoy tenting. For this short trip I was able to fit tent, inflatable mattress, and sleeping bag all inside panniers.

Because Vermont’s mountains run north to south, my route ascended and descended most of the 2^nd day, sometimes traversing 3-4 mile hills. It was tiring even though I was expecting the difficulty.

I met this man along a dirt road. He was stooped over picking up stones. It turns out he sorts through the road side rocks to discard the sharp pointed ones so they won’t give his son flat tires (from a bike, cart, or motorcycle I never found out).  A retiree from a nearby granite quarry, he spends his time now welding interesting sculptures from old farm equipment. He had that classic old Vermont accent “ya can’t get theyah from heya”. I talked with him for 20 minutes as he also showed me his rock collection, all lined up on split rail fencing.

By noon I was done with the day’s mileage, ending back in our capital of Montpelier. I locked up my bike at a bus stop where I would later take a commuter bus back home. With nearly four hours to spare I grabbed an iced mocha and changed into a skirt because the day was downright hot. It was fun to browse the main shopping streets. Montpelier is one of the right-sized Vermont cities where I could picture myself living someday. I sipped a margarita and ate a quesadilla in an outdoor restaurant.

Again, I found another sculpture. I seem to recall that two years ago there was a special bike art exhibit and the art must have been donated to public spaces.

I tried to relax in the shade on the capital lawn, but all the benches were taken so I gravitated to a nearby state building with white rocking chairs on the porch. When I discovered that it was the Vermont Historical Museum, and I hadn’t been there since I was a teenager, I spent the next hour in air-conditioning, reliving Vermont’s past.

The displays were a delightful treasure and rounded out my trip with many thoughts to ponder on the bus ride home.

Actual route in orange - 100 miles

Things I learned:

• be flexible if traveling dirt roads - it’s part of the overall adventure
• you can get by without using utensils
• general stores have much to offer, often with deli counters
• a soda tastes refreshing, especially if you haven’t had one in a year
• a shower at the end of the day is rejuvenating
• take time to smell the flowers
• take lots of pictures 
• an overnight trip is worth the effort