Vermont Spring Training
May 2, 2019 - May 5, 2019
| $550This three-day long training camp is designed for the aspiring to serious cyclists who wants to improve their overall fitness by logging 150-200 miles of early-season training through a unique mixture of rolling farmlands, quaint Vermont towns, and apple orchards stretching down the shores of Lake Champlain. With the Green Mountains as the backdrop and destination there will be many opportunities to tackle many significant sustained climbs and descents for some good early season base training and fun. Along the route we will stop and explore the many general stores and eateries of Vergennes, Ripton, Warren, Waitsfield, Middlebury, Shoreham, Salisbury/Lake Dunmore, and Brandon. It’s the perfect long weekend of incredible cycling, good food and friendship.
Cycling itinerary is dependent on the wants and needs of the group(s) of cyclists, this is essentially a custom tour of the Champlain Valley and the Green Mountain National Forest area. Year-to-year, the dynamic and composition of the group changes, and we tailor this tour to the specific ability levels and aspirations of the cyclists.
Day One: Welcome to Brandon and the Champlain Valley
Welcome to Middlebury/Brandon! Check in at the historic Far Enough, Old World Vermont estate in Brandon by 12:00 noon. Lunch in downtown Brandon. Bike fit, set up and introduction to Champlain Valley tour. First ride between 3:00-5:00 pm, easy 25-30 mile warm up ride from Brandon/Lake Dunmore to West Salisbury loop.
Group dinner BBQ at Far Enough Estate.
Meals: Light Lunch and BBQ at Far Enough Estate in Brandon
Destinations: Middlebury, Cornwall, West Salisbury, Middlebury
Accomplished: 25-30 miles
Day Two: Brandon to Middlebury to West Salisbury to Leicester
Wake up to a frothy cappuccino and delectable breakfast at your private home before setting out on a ride in the Champlain Valley heading north toward lake Dunmore to Middlebury with the Adirondacks to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. The first stop, Vergennes Laundry, is an authentic french wood fired bakery/coffee shop in the heart of Vermont’s oldest and smallest city. Our tour of Addison county continues along the Otter creek to West Salisbury and Leicester with the return route taking us on relatively flat and rolling hills back to Brandon.
Group dinner at American Flatbread restaurant in Middlebury.
Meals: Breakfast at the estate/ Light Lunch/ Group Dinner at American Flatbread in Middlebury
Destinations: Weybridge, New Haven, Middlebury, Vergennes, West Salisbury and Brandon
Accomplished: 40-60 miles
Day Three: Brandon to Ripton (Middlebury Gap) to Warren to Roxbury (Gap) to Bethel (Rochester Gap) back to Brandon (Gap) Loop
Wake up to the absolute peace of your tranquil country Inn. Pedal north to Ripton via the Goshen road on your way up Middlebury gap then on to The Warren general store for lunch. After lunch there will be 2 options. Option 1- One more gap, option 2 – three more gaps. Be sure not to miss the breathtaking views of the farms and green mountains before looping back to Brandon, where the ride ends.
Group dinner tonite at a special place.
Meals: Breakfast at the estate / Light Lunch / Group Dinner
Destinations: Ripton, Warren, Waitsfield, Roxbury, Bethel
Accomplished: 70-100 miles
- Great camaraderie
- Visit Champlain Valley Orchards, Lincoln Peak or Shelburne vineyard
- Aqua Vitea Kombucha brewery and Otter Creek beer tour and sampling.
- Shop and stroll downtown Middlebury
- Riding through scenic landscapes of Addison and Hancock county as well as 2 or 4 challenging gaps
- Three Nights lodging Bed & Breakfast in Deluxe room at the Middlebury Inn or private home
- All breakfasts, lunches* and snacks and beverages while biking
- Three Dinners including all wine, beer and drinks **
- FTA’s Swag bag. . . T- shirt, water bottles, pint glass, and goodies from Bike Board and Ski
*Lunches at Cafe Provence, Warren General store, Costello!s, Otter Creek Brewery, Vergennes Laundry Cafe, and others while on rides
**Included Dinners at most highly recommended establishments; American Flatbread, Bobcat Cafe, and Shoreham Inn.
Far Enough – an Old World Vermont Estate
Join us at a private rented estate; A majestic estate echoing the era of industrial wealth. Minutes from Lake Dunmore, The Long Trail, Brandon, and Middlebury College. Biking, hiking, hunting, fishing and watersports. Modern amenities with old world Vermont country charm.
To see photo galleries of past Vermont Spring Training Tours click the link below the photos.
- Vermont Spring Training – Middlebury Vermont, 2017Quadomated2017-05-16T20:55:20+00:00
Vermont Spring Training – Middlebury Vermont, 2017
- Vermont Spring Training – Middlebury Vermont, 2016Quadomated2017-05-16T22:34:44+00:00
Vermont Spring Training – Middlebury Vermont, 2016
- 2-4-6 Gap and Champlain Valley, VermontQuadomated2017-05-17T20:00:19+00:00
2-4-6 Gap and Champlain Valley, Vermont
Mark, Brian and Bouey do the Vermont Overland 2018
My brother Brian has been after me for several years to do this gravel ride in Vermont, the "Vermont Overland". It has become so popular that within 1 [...]
Vermont Spring Training 2016… Maybe the best one yet
"The absolute perfect blend of people, adversity, companionship and good times." -- Mike Chasse This year's annual cycling trip to Vermont may well have been the best one [...]
Vermont Spring Cycling Trip 2014
Middelbury and Kent Ridge Orchards served as headquarter central for FTA's annual Spring Training weekend in Vermont from May 9-11. 3 beautiful spring/summery days cycling of approximately 150 [...]
Top 5 reasons to visit and cycle Vermont this year
5. Local Brews. . .Otter Creek, Long Trail, Alchemist(Heady Topper), Magic Hat and Trout River brewery to name just a few. 4. Amazing views. . . The Adirondacks, [...]