Day 9, E. Middleburry VT to Ticonderoga NY

Starting the day in front of the East Middlebury Library and its 36degF and sunny at 6:45am. I thought today was going to be just plain easy, no dice. Although the ACA map doesn't show much in the way of climbs between East Middlebury and Tico, the 26 miles still had over +2100ft climb. Yeah that's a little bit of whining. I was tried at the start and was really looking forward to basically a coast down to the lake. Yesterday took more out of me than I thought so with Tico in sight it was time for some rest & recuperation. We found a very nice camp site about 8miles north and decided tomorrow was a complete day off.

Thought of the Day: We can't trust our eyes, aka eyewitness accounts are nearly worthless. In my case it was looking ahead and estimating the road grade, i.e. up or down. I found that after big climbs just the decrease in grade from say 8% to 2% gave the illusion of the road going down! Then I get confused, why is my speed down from normal for a slight decline. Am I that tired? Are the brakes dragging? Big headwind? No, No, and No. I look sideways to the direction of travel and it's instantly and obviously I'm still on an upward grade:(

Leaving the White and Green Mountains behind. If Vermont would fix it's roads it would be a great riding experience. 

The Adirondack Mountains ahead.

Local art, saw others but this was the only pic.

Ferry across to Ticonderoga NY. 

Yeah another state down. 

Tico central park is pretty but the town is tired.

Day 8, Vermont in a day:) Well almost.

We started in Thetford Hill VT early this morning before 7am. This was going to turn out to be my personal best day. Over 60 miles and over +6000ft of climb. Two mountains account for the climb and early start and nice weather the mileage. Started out overcast with threat of rain but by mid day the sun was out!! For the first time I was in shorts and tee shirt. It felt good:) After leaving Thetford Hill there was one big climb but nothing serious. Then a very nice ride through a river valley from about Sharon VT to Rochester VT. Just rolling hills and not too much traffic even for a sunny weekend day.

Then everything changed, dun, dun,duuun. The hundreds of Posrches racing down the hill should have been a clue. But my only thought was there's some money around here. Next the three Lance Armstrong type bicyclist who asked "are you going over the TOP??". The climb started easily enough then after a 50 mile day the full 12% grade kicked in. Several stops later, easily done on a trike, and I was at the top. The reward was a fantastic backside ride. Didn't hit a new top speed but close. But the smooth roads easily made this the best down hill.

River art.

See Really in Vermont, never saw a welcome sign.

And another covered bridge....

Yeah the Sun is out. 

Conquered Bread Loaf Mountain!!!!