The Best of Vermont Tour

A Description of the tour with photos

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Day One

From eastern Massachusetts the ride begins traveling west on the Mohawk Trail (Rt2) to a wonderful stop, Shelburne Falls.  It is a quaint town with lots of little shops, restaurants, some "glacial potholes" although it may be best known for it's "Bridge of Flowers" - a former trolley bridge that now has over 500 varieties of flowers, vines and shrubs.

A quick stop to watch a talented glass blower ply his trade and then on into the showroom to marvel at his works of art.  Have lunch at any number of places - from simple to sophisticated - Sherburne Falls has them all.

Back on the road we take a very nice  Rt112 north to the famous Vermont Rt100.  This will be the first of three sections of this road - each filled with sweeper after sweeper. 

Next up is semi-twisty Rt155 over to Rt140, a narrow twisty country road with a stop at the

Tinmouth Snack Bar.  Ice cream, pie or a little snack?  The friendly wait staff will be happy to help you.

Rt30 will take us to a short but fun ride on Rt73 which leads us to Rt22a. This may be the least exciting road of the tour but, it takes us to Rt17 and fabulous valley farm land with a mountainous backdrop.

Midway through our run on Rt17 we take Rt7 north to our lodging for the evening - The Sky View Motel.  This is a "basic" motel that is clean with some rooms being a little more updated than others.  It is the only motel for miles and only has 20 rooms, so make reservations in advance.  Middlebury has a larger selection of motels and Inns but they often require a two or three night stay.

Dinner is a short ten miles down Rt7 to The Dog Team restaurant located on a small side road that many years ago was the original Rt7 - even before there was a Rt7.  The building has a wonderful history and a lobby that is decorated with an eclectic collection.

The hostess will take your dinner order which you select from a chalk board (mostly steak and seafood).  Enjoy a stroll around the lobby until your group is called.   A wonderful meal to end a wonderful day of riding.  After dinner we take a quick ride back to the motel and a good nights rest.

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Day Two

For those who like to start the day with a nice breakfast, you will only have to walk a couple hundred feet to Burdick's Country Kitchen - it's right next to the motel.  Chat with the locals or just sit back and and take it all in.  On Saturday at 6:00 AM you might find only one waitress serving up coffee and talking with one or two other folks.

Back on Rt17 we continue through wide open farm lands with gentle sweepers and gorgeous views. 

Then, Rt17 begins to change.  Slowly at first, the road narrows, then you begin to climb - a little, then more. Drop it down a few gears because you are about to take on a very twisty, climbing road. There are some hard switchbacks that only a sport bike could challenge. At the top, pull over at the rest stop for some fabulous views of the valley below and the twisty road you just ascended.

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The ride down Rt17 to the second section of Rt100 will have you downshifting and using the breaks as it has some wonderful twists of it's own.  And then, more of Rt100's sweepers.

It must be time to stop and visit a New England institution, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory.

We probably won't take the factory tour because we have a lot of road to travel but we sure might want to lick a cone and look in the gift shop.

Back on the road and more of Rt100 which takes us to Rt108 and Smugglers Notch.  At one point the road will narrow down to a single lane.  Take care as you are sharing one lane with vehicles going in the opposite direction.  Other than peak tourist season which can slow the pace down to a crawl, this is over too fast.  But what a wonderful ride though some of natures best.

Continuing on Rt108 brings us to the small village of Jefferson and the 158 Main Restaurant & Bakery - our place for lunch.  From an interesting menu, choose your meal then watch the bakers for this is primarily a working bakery that opens for lunch only three hours a day - 12:00 to 3:00.

Back on Rt108 we ride to Rt105 which takes us to within 1/2 mile of Canada.  This is a lonely but lovely area of Vermont. 

If you get the feeling that you are the only human being for miles - you may be right.  The moose population is likely higher than people.

All of the radio stations along this stretch originate in Montreal - some in French, some in English.

We take a short hop on Rt105 to our next fabulous road, Rt242.  But, before we get too far we see a Country Store in the tinny village of Jay, VT.  A wooden Indian standing out front. 

We begin to realize this is a different kind of  store - with a very wide range of things one might need, i.e. fresh sliced deli meats, mucking boots, original paintings, clothing, various food staples and Texaco gas.

Although we could spend a lot of time exploring this multi-level den of necessities, Rt242's twisties are calling so we mount our steed for some more of Vermont's best.

 If roads were built for motorcycling, Rt242 would be one of them.  It climbs, it twists, it's a grand riding road.  Don't feel too bad when we make the turn onto Rt118 for this road will provide lots of fun riding too - all the way to Rt100 and it's wonderful sweepers.

With our last look at Rt100 we will turn off onto Rt12, yet another NER nominated "best of Vermont" road.  It does not disappoint.  But like all great roads, it ends way too soon and we enter Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the country. A quick jog on Rt89 brings us to our lodging for the evening, the Hill Top Inn (formally LaQue Inns).  With 80 rooms, an indoor pool and a restaurant for breakfast in the morning, it is a good choice. There are other hotels and Inns in the area, mostly towards Barre.  (We advise NOT staying at the Econo Lodge)

Although there are several places to eat in Montpelier we chose Sarducci's, an Italian restaurant with a broad menu, good food and a fun atmosphere.

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Day Three

It's always a little sad when you wake up to the last day's ride of a multi-day tour.  But, we have lots of great riding in store starting with a quick ride through Barre to Rt110. 

Don't you just love looking at a wiggly road on a map?  Well, Rt110 is one of those wiggly roads.  What a way to start a day's ride.  Twist the wrist a little more.

Oh, and keep a keen eye out for moose.  Vermont has a bunch of the critters, and they get real big.  Here are a couple of young moose, out for a jog on the highway.

Another one looking at us like we are the silly looking creatures.  He must be thinking, "puny humans."

A couple of short roads and we find ourselves on another section of Rt12.  Somewhere around this time you start to think, "it just isn't fair that Vermont can have so many fantastic roads."  But your thoughts quickly fade away as you take the next  several turns on the asphalt and come across a river running parallel to the road.

We will pass through Woodstock, Vermont which is a great place to spend time but today we just ride through and pick up Rt106, yet another fine motorcycling piece of tar and stone.

We have a special treat for a lunch spot this day.  A classic 50's diner with serviceable food and a free Corvette museum.

The Springfield Royal Diner.

Grab a bite to eat and then take a stroll back in automotive history.  See unique old Corvettes, antique parts and test equipment and various automotive collectables.  Maybe even buy a tee shirt or a book about Corvettes - then it's time to ride again.

Back on two wheels, we take Rt11 over to a pair of NER nominated best of Vermont roads, first Rt35 and then Rt30.  Talk about two sweet roads full of fun riding. Enjoy them for we are coming to Brattleboro and will cross over to New Hampshire and Rt119, a fine road also, and back to eastern Massachusetts and the conclusion of our Best of Vermont Tour.

We have covered some of Vermont's best motorcycling roads but we have not covered them all. There are many other great roads to be ridden in Vermont - several traversing the Green Mountains or going through gaps and gorges and let's not forget the beautiful sites around Lake Champlain.  But, they are for another tour in one of America's great motorcycling states.

Oh, and yes, there are some straight roads in Vermont.