Final Day: Burlington, VT - Return to Start

Date:           August 15, 2017
Distance:       35 miles
Average Speed:  10.1 mph
Maximum Speed:  32.2 mph
Feet Climbed:   2100
Day Trip:       Middlebury to Burlington

It was a beautiful final day of riding with sunny skies, beautiful landscapes and perfect company. Today's ride returned us to where we began 12 days ago - Burlington, VT.  We took the roads less traveled today making our way through the Green Mountains and acres of farmland. We climbed hills, crossed bridges and sped down long descents.  A perfect day!

We started our day taking a walk to the local diner for a hearty breakfast.  We had many restaurant choices this morning, but we decided on The Park Diner, a local establishment since the mid 1930s. On the walk over, Steve wanted to made sure we didn't get hit by a cyclist so he used the crossing flags.

Steve motioning to the cyclist to stop

Actually when Steve saw that it was just a cyclist, he waved her on.  He was overly enthusiastic this morning to use the flags.  I'm glad he had a chance to.

Job well done!

And here's more good news.  We ate blueberry pancakes for breakfast this morning. Mine were gluten free and they tasted fabulous!

With two fried eggs on the side

Steve up close and personal with the pancakes

We could not sign-on to Garmin Express this morning to create our bicycle route to Burlington.  Our only option at this point was to use the iPhone google map for bicycles, although necessary, it was risky given our track record. We thought when we arrive in Vergennes later this morning perhaps we would try again to create and load a map to Burlington.  Vergennes was just 13 miles away.  Luckily, we made it to there without much trouble, just one wrong turn that delayed us just a few minutes.

Crossing over Pulp Mill Bridge as we left Middlebury

About 3 miles into the ride, Steve pulled over quickly to check out a antique shop.  He wanted to check one final store for large skillets (for a number 10 or 11).  We stopped at so many during the tour without much luck, and today unfortunately wasn't much different.

Sadly, empty handed

While on Morgan Horse Farm Road we passed the real Morgan Horse Farm owned by University of Vermont. There is a story here - Steve had remembered it from his days at UVM. The story of Justin Morgan, who bought in 1789, a middling size, heavy chested, bushy mane and hairy legged horse named Figure. Figure became the founding sire of the Morgan breed.  Figure's ability to out-walk, out-trot, out-run, and out-pull other horses were legendary.  His three most famous sons - Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury—carried on his legacy to future generations of Morgan horses. Apparently, Morgan horses are quite famous in Vermont.

We continued riding on the back roads with the wind blowing at our backs; we encountered another bridge. This one covering Otter Creek same as the first bridge that we had crossed earlier this morning.  Otter Creek spans 112 miles running upstream north through Vermont.  It is one of the largest rivers in the state.

I crossed first

Steve next

Otter Creek

So we thought we had licked it - riding to Vergennes without getting lost or hitting a dirt road. We were wrong - well - we encountered this rather steep dirt road that seemed to go on forever.  We had no choice but to climb it. 

3/4 mile dirt road - 10-12% grade

Now how convenient is this ...

Shortly there after - we spotted a biker's resting place from the road.  It looked so inviting and we needed a rest; we pulled over to sit for a minute to hydrate. I also snacked on some cow's tongue (Steve's name for the beef jerky).

Cool place to rest

Another angle

We arrived in Vergennes just under 1 1/2 hours of riding.  We stopped at the local cafe. We tried Garmin Express again and was successful this time.  I created a map in no time at all.  We also took advantage of being at the 3 Squares Cafe by having an Iced Coffee.

Lucky cafe

We stayed a short while to drink our Iced Coffee then after about 30 minutes we set off for Burlington.

One of many beautiful landscapes

We stopped at about the 22 mile mark for another snack.  We both wanted fruit and Steve a chocolate milk. Steve bought bowl of fruit and me a peach.  Very refreshing and sweet!

We had visited this Old Brick Store last year as well.  As it turns out, we had taken the same bicycle route in reverse last year!

Ready to go

This actually is a bike path.  The first of many that we took today.

Beauty x 3

More beauty

Even more beauty

Steve on the go

Steve charging the way and excited to get to Burlington

We made it to Burlington by 4:30p.  We didn't waste any time.  We quickly took showers and then left for Church Street.

Just one of 1005 photo's that Steve took this trip

We went to one of our favorite places - Leunigs Bistro.  Our meals were out of this world!  

I ordered a boneless pork chop with spinach and grilled corn and black bean salad served with red onions and heirloom tomatoes also served with yuca fries. Wow!  Steve ordered crispy quail with fried plantains made with cinnamon and cloves, and served with an arugula peach salad. Yummy!

Rating - 10 out of 10

In for the close up

It started raining as we were eating dinner.  The weather forecast said rain with thunderstorms and lightening between 7:00-9:00p.   After we finished dinner, there seemed to be a break in the weather so we decided to make a run for it, but not without a final picture of me on Church Street!

Picture 1005

Steve and I just love riding our bicycles together and visiting different cities, towns and villages. Riding around Lake Champlain was a trip Steve and I had discussed doing years ago when we first began touring.  In fact, it was in 2012 because instead we went to the Chesapeake Bay area, which was the location of our first tour. At the time, we thought Lake Champlain may be too difficult. Can't believe we have been doing this for 6 year now. 

Well, it's time to say goodbye.  This is our last blog entry for our Lake Champlain bicycle tour.  As always we have enjoyed writing and sharing with you our cycling adventures. Without your comments and readership it would not have held the same meaning.

Thank you all for your continued interest, love and support!