Category: gmbc touring

Enjoyed the day with the GMBC Touring group on the Franklin County Follies on Sunday, June 3. I opted for the long ride – and as I wasn’t feeling well from the start I suffered . My stomach and allergies were causing me trouble and I overheated heading up some 14% grades through beautiful country on the way to Fairfield. The ride from Fairfield to Enosburg Falls was fun – especially seeing the older gent (I assume he wasn’t with the group) on the Colnago in full kit, sans helmet, climbing away up Duffy Hill Road.

I seem to have missed the re-group in Enosburg Falls – I kept looking for the store called on the cue sheet but it seems everyone camped out in front of the falls for a break. After a few circles through town I settled on the Brooks Pharmacy for a snack and I was off into a stiff headwind. I fought the headwind for what felt like the entire way home – 118 was very windy and rolling – with some good climbs thrown in for fun. There were a few occasions where the wind coming through the valley bounced me around quite a bit – and I got discouraging comments from a few riders coming the other way ‘Glad we’re headed home with a tailwind!!’.

I was cooked by the time I got to Averys Gore WMA on 118 – most likely dehydrated and still unable to find anything that agreed with my stomach (and I didn’t notice how much sun I got until my wife commented on the goofy tan lines from my gloves). The climb through the gore was wonderful – I’ll have to get back to this area again – hopefully when there aren’t many clouds so I can take in the long views to Jay Peak.

109 was pleasant (sans wind) after I hit some long downhills as I rolled towards 108.

I joined the GMBC Touring group this past Sunday for the the Crown Point Caper. I chose the 40 mile option (and added some bonus miles for a navigational mistake). I rode to the start from Shelburne, so I had about 68 miles total for the day. I’d guess there were between 20 and 30 cyclists out for the ride.

The ride left from Vergennes and headed over the Crown Point Bridge to NY. A quick break at the campground and I headed back north, through some lovely countryside. The route was primarily flat – but the headwind on the way home wore me down – especially with the extra miles back to my starting point.

Southern end of Lake Champlain, from the bridge.

The bridge from Basin Harbor Road.

Bookends – Mansfield and Camel’s Hump. I’m in the planning stages of a RUSA Permanent that will circle both of these mountains.

A house somewhere in Charlotte. The owner must be investigating siding / enclosure options!