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Detailed Itinerary for the Team Sarcoma 2007 Bike Tour
Day 1 – Saturday, July 14
12 Noon – 4:00PM Arrival & Registration, Burlington International Airport 1:00PM-5:00PM Bike Fitting & Warm-up Ride, Marriott Courtyard 7:00PM Opening Reception & Dinner
Lodging Marriott Courtyard, Burlington
The city of Burlington is known as Vermont’s “Queen City”. It is nestled on the eastern shores of Lake Champlain and overlooks the Adirondack Mountains to the west. Burlington is a small, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant arts culture and active outdoor community. The city is frequently listed as one of the top places to live in the US and is home to several colleges and the University of Vermont.
A bike path follows the lakeshore, offering magnificent views across the lake to New York. Your warm-up ride will provide you with the opportunity to cycle the bike path for 2 to 16 miles. ECHO, the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, is a Lake Aquarium and Science Center next to the waterfront park across the street from your hotel which overlooks Lake Champlain. Church Street Marketplace, two streets behind the hotel, is a pedestrian mall lined with shops and restaurants. Stop by Bennington Potters on your way to or from Church Street Marketplace.
General Overview Map of the Lake Champlain Area and Northwest Vermont
Day 2 – Sunday, July 15
8:00AM Breakfast 9:00AM Cyclists depart hotel 10:00AM Visit to country store or orchard in Shelburne (Op) 11:00AM Ferry to Essex, NY 1:00PM Lakeside picnic lunch 2:00PM Ferry back to Vermont 3:00PM Visit to organic dairy farm in Ferrisburgh 4:30PM Transfer to Middlebury 5:30PM Arrive at inn 7:00PM Dinner at the inn
Lodging Middlebury Inn, Middlebury
Bike Routes: Short Route: 14-26 miles, Long Route: 30-56 miles
Today’s route follows the Burlington Bike Path south of town and continues on to the village of Shelburne. A classic Vermont country store offers a taste of the past en route to a beautiful apple orchard. Relax on the ferry as you cross the most beautiful section of Lake Champlain with the stunning peaks of the Adirondack Mountains looming in the distance.
Upon disembarking the ferry in NY, you’ll have some time to explore the lovely and historic town of Essex, one of the earliest European settlements on the Lake. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the village’s buildings comprise the most intact ensemble of pre-Civil War architecture in America.
Following a picnic lunch overlooking the Lake, return on the ferry to Vermont where country roads lead to a family-run organic dairy farm. Vermont’s agricultural heritage will come to life while sharing part of the afternoon visiting with the family and their herd.
Day 3 – Monday, July 16
8:00AM Breakfast 9:00AM Cyclists depart inn 12:00 Noon Swim, hike to falls 1:00PM Lakeside picnic lunch 3:00PM Visit to organic soap maker (Op) 4:00PM Visit with & demonstration by pewter craftsman 5:15PM Visit to microbrewery (Op) 7:00PM Dinner at popular local restaurant
Lodging Middlebury Inn, Middlebury
Bike Routes: Short Route: 20-30 miles, Long Route: 53-63 miles
Today’s rides lead south out of town and include a side trip to a covered bridge that provided a vital rail link to small farming communities in the late 1800’s. The bridge is the widest and one of the longest covered bridges in Vermont and passes over the Otter Creek, the state’s longest river. The ride passes through Salisbury and around Lake Dunmore before arriving at a beautiful lakeside setting where cyclists can enjoy a swim in the crystal clear water.
This afternoon, extend your ride into the Vermont National Forest or return to Middlebury to visit a pewter craftsman, organic soap producer, or microbrewery. In addition to these unique attractions, Middlebury offers a number of shops and galleries, all just a short walk from the Middlebury Inn conveniently located overlooking the town green. The Otter Creek runs through the middle of town and the falls can be viewed from the bridge or the Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center. For horse-lovers, the Vermont Morgan Horse Farm is a short bike ride from town. Middlebury College was founded here in 1800 by the President of Yale University, and in 1883 became the first of the formerly all-male colleges to admit women.
Day 4 – Tuesday, July 17
8:00AM Breakfast 9:00AM Cyclists depart inn 10:30AM Visit to beeswax candle maker 11:30AM Swim at waterfalls 1:00PM Picnic on town green 2:00PM Transfer to Waterbury & Stowe 3:00PM Tour of Ben & Jerry’s factory (Op for long route) 4:30PM Visit to cider mill (for long route) 5:30PM Arrive at Trapp Family Lodge 6:30PM Reception with Johannes von Trapp 7:00PM Outdoor barbeque on terrace at Trapp Family Lodge 9:00PM Entertainment in piano lounge
Lodging Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe
Bike Routes: Short Route: 20-26 miles, Long Route: 26-46 miles
Today’s rides follow a quiet country road through rolling farm country to the town of Bristol and along the New Haven River to Lincoln. Bristol is a small town with an interesting variety of shops. A local beeswax candle maker will demonstrate the handmade process of producing beeswax candles while explaining the importance of beeswax. You might also try your hand at making your own candle. A ride along the river to Lincoln offers numerous opportunities to refresh, particularly in a favorite swimming hole below a picturesque falls.
Following a picnic lunch on the town green, those up for a true test can challenge themselves by cycling over Appalachian Gap (elevation gain of almost 2000’ in less than 10 miles). For those preferring a more leisurely pace, explore the craft shops in town before a transfer to Ben & Jerry’s for a tour of the world famous ice cream maker’s production facility. Visit a cider mill a short distance up the road before arriving at Trapp Family Lodge. The Lodge is the site of the home (upon arrival in America) of the von Trapp Family Singers, made famous by the Sound of Music. Meet youngest son, Johannes, during a welcome reception at this special property.
Day 5 – Wednesday, July 18
8:00AM Breakfast 8:30AM Property tour with Trapp Family Lodge resident historian 10:00AM Cyclists depart inn 12:00 Noon Picnic lunch 12:30PM Gondola ride on Mount Mansfield 1:00PM Ridgeline hike to summit of Mt. Mansfield or return to enjoy the walking trails, the pool, wagon rides or a massage at Trapp Family Lodge (many Ops to choose from) 7:00PM Traditional Austrian dinner at Trapp Family Lodge 9:00PM Entertainment in piano lounge
Lodging Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe
Bike Routes: Short Route: 14-21 miles, Long Route: 27-34 miles
Today’s rides follow a quiet road through lush forest to the tiny town of Moscow. Stop to watch a glass blower before continuing to the village of Stowe. This classic New England village is framed by Vermont’s largest mountain, Mt. Mansfield, which lies 8-miles to the west. Stop to peruse the shops in town or photograph the white church against the mountain backdrop. Follow the Stowe Rec Path as it winds along the river toward Mt. Mansfield offering beautiful vistas around every curve.
Take in the views from high above the valley during a gondola ride on Mt. Mansfield. Hikers will enjoy the climb to the summit which offers expansive views in every direction. Those seeking a more leisurely afternoon will return to Trapp Family Lodge to choose from a variety of active or relaxing options. The gentle trails lacing the sprawling property are perfect for a quiet walk. Children might enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride. Tired muscles can be soothed by a soak in one of the swimming pools, the hot tub, or by scheduling a massage.
Day 6 – Thursday, July 19
7:30AM Breakfast 8:30AM Transfer to Montgomery Center to begin cycling 9:30AM Begin cycling along Trout River past covered bridges circa 1875 12:30PM Lunch 3:30PM Transfer from St. Albans to North Hero 4:30PM Arrive at North Hero House, swim in the lake 6:30PM Barbeque on the lakeshore
Lodging North Hero House, North Hero
Bike Routes: Short Route: 23-28 miles, Long Route: 47 miles
Following breakfast, cyclists will transfer to the start of the ride which begins in Montgomery Center, a popular Vermont cycling destination. The day’s ride begins with an 8-mile section on lightly traveled road that passes through the village of Montgomery and past several covered bridges that were built in the late 1800’s. Leave the road and enter the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail to Enosburg, the self-proclaimed dairy center of the world. The trail follows the banks of the Missisquoi River as it winds through sprawling farmland on its journey to Lake Champlain. This is the heart of rural Vermont farmland and picturesque views abound.
Riders on the longer route will leave the trail to ride an additional 15-mile loop before meeting the group for lunch at a trailside restaurant. Following lunch, cyclists will continue on the trail through wetlands full of wildlife before arriving in the town of St. Albans and transferring the remaining distance to the Champlain Islands. Upon arrival at your inn on North Hero Island, enjoy a swim in the lake before a casual lakeside barbeque on the lawn of the inn. The inn was built in 1891 when guests arrived at the property by steamship. Team Sarcoma will occupy the entire inn providing for an intimate setting for the next two evenings.
Day 7 – Friday, July 20
8:00AM Breakfast 9:00AM Cyclists depart inn for northern-most Lake Champlain island 10:30AM Visit to cheese maker in Alburg 12:30 PM Picnic lunch at St. Anne’s Shrine, Isle La Motte 5:00PM Return to North Hero House, swim in the lake 7:00PM Closing banquet in Hero House dining room
Lodging North Hero House, North Hero
Bike Routes: Short Route: 16-34 miles, Long Route: 44 miles
The first section of today’s ride takes you from North Hero Island to the town of Alburg where a visit to a small cheese producer will highlight the morning. Learn about the process of making cheese and meet the goats, cows and other farm animals at this family farm overlooking Lake Champlain. Following the farm visit, the ride will continue to Isle La Motte, the smallest of the Champlain Islands, where quiet lakeshore cycling awaits.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at St. Anne’s Shrine, the site of the first French settlement in Vermont. The nearby statue of French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, honors the man for whom the Lake is named. The Victorian chapel in the pine grove hosts daily outdoor masses during the summer. After lunch, visit the Fisk Quarry to view portions of one of the oldest fossil reefs on earth – roughly 480 million years old – and to search for fossils. Return to North Hero for a final dip in Lake Champlain before a closing banquet in the inn’s dining room.
Day 8 – Saturday, July 21
8:00AM Breakfast 9:00AM Bus departs for Burlington International Airport (BTV) 10:00AM Arrival at BTV
Team Sarcoma 2006
You can download a PDF of the detailed itinerary by clicking here.
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