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Does anyone know of some good scenic roads to drive in VT? I am going in the Fall when the leaves are changing and would like to get some good driving in.
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Theo -- "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses...HIT IT!" ~The Blues Brothers~
I own a 03 MINI and I drive it for work. I live in Randolph, VT. I work for F.W. Webb (the official distributer of the Boston RedSox). It seems like the first two weeks of October has been the best time for "leaf peeping" in Vermont. Rt 100 is the most seanic route in VT. You will be able to go as fast as the car in front of you during peak foliage season. Next to winter, fall if my favorite time of year. The crispness in the air is a good feeling. Keep an eye on the forcast, we have had snow the first week of October before. I have been all over the state. Where will you be comming from?
I am pretty familiar with Rt. 100 and I know some good roads of my own but was just wondering if anyone had some local knowledge of some unknown roads. I am planning on driving up along the CT River and cutting across from there.
Mmmm. Let see.... Rt 12 ouit of Woodstock / Queechee. Rt 12 north through Barnard and Randolph. There is a floating bridge that is kind of cool off of Rt 12 just south of Northfield in Brookfield. My favorite road is Camp brook road. It is located off of rt 12 in between Bethel and Randonph (newly paved) It goes into Rochester back on rt 100. Another cool road is Warren-Roxbury road that goes from (you guessed it) Warren to Roxbury. Warren is on Rt 12 and Roxbury is on Rt 12a. If you are heading towards the western part of the state from Rt 100 a cool road to take is going past Mad River ski area. Hope you have a nice time up here in VT on your trip. NH,MA,CT $ helps keep Vermont Green.
I'll agree whole-heartedly with a lot of those recommendations. But, that's starting to get towards central / northern Vermont.
Camp Brook road over the Rochester Gap is fun, and probably the mellowest of the gaps. Middlebury Gap on route 125 is another great gap drive. The App Gap (route 17) from Waitsfield to Bristol is the king of the gap drives. The Lincoln gap is not fully paved, so that's a different kind of fun. And route 108 through Smuggler's Notch will be swarming with tourists and is too tight and narrow to really run through it at speed even when it's empty.
Wherever you go...you'll be better off with a good radar detector. The VSP is a bit "agressive" both patroling the roads and giving testimony in court (ask me how I know...).
Avoid a hassle by driving safely, use a radar detector, and enjoy one of the most beautiful states in the fall!
Theo
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Theo -- "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses...HIT IT!" ~The Blues Brothers~
The Lincoln gap is not 100% paved. A better loop in my opinion is the Middlebury Gap, 116 north, 17 back east and over the App Gap, then 100 south through Granville Gulf. Great loop. It can be run in either direction, though I usually run it clockwise.
If you do that route, there's hiking available from the top of either gap. The Long Trail crosses the road atop both of them.
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Lincoln gap is dirt some of the way. The VSP are not as bad at the local Sheriffs. Especially in Windsor county. The Windsor county sheriffs (AKA Windsor Natsi’s) are real bad at giving out speeding tickets. Usually if you stay 10mph within the speed limit you are okay. But look out for speed limit sighns. The speed limit can go from 50 to 25 in a heartbeat and for I think no reason at all and there they will sit waiting for you. The VSP patrol the highways. I have always been safe staying under 75mph on the highway. I usually see them sitting on the median on the highway. A friend of mine got a ticket from a Windsor Natsi on a dirt road at 7:00 am on a weekday in Barnard going 50 in a 35 in her Jeep. You WILL be radared in Woodstock and Bridgweater, VT. Hope I don’t discourage your visit but I have learned to drive close to the speed limit when and wherever I go in VT. VT is a beautiful state with really great people. I hope you enjoy your trip up here. I recomend trying the Three Stalion Inn in Randolph, VT for a great meal and night stay. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Bill (Vermont)[/SIZE][/FONT]
The speed limit can go from 50 to 25 in a heartbeat and for I think no reason at all
There are reasons. You're coming into a town / village or driving past a farm / school / etc. There are almost always "reduced speed ahead" signs. The speed limit usually drops in stages - 50 to 35 to 25. Pay attention, honor the slower speed limits when they show up, and you'll be fine.
I typically go... errrr... quickly through the 50mph zones but pay strict attention to the slower limit sections. If not to avoid tickets, to avoid the potential of bad things happening when I drive past houses / schools / farms / etc.
VT drivers always give me a chuckle. They drive 60 on the highway, and on the small side roads....still 60. Once you realize almost all roads move at the same speed you start reading maps much differently. They limit will drop from "50" to 25 quickly for any urbanish areas. It is usually short and for good reason. In other words, go fast elsewhere but respect the downtown sections and drive the speed limit. That's where the cops sit too, but it's not just for that...small price to pay for the excellent freedom the rest of the open road gives.
The Lincoln gap is not 100% paved. A better loop in my opinion is the Middlebury Gap, 116 north, 17 back east and over the App Gap, then 100 south through Granville Gulf. Great loop. It can be run in either direction, though I usually run it clockwise.
If you do that route, there's hiking available from the top of either gap. The Long Trail crosses the road atop both of them.
I agree with Jason; that's my favorite loop in either the MC or my Triumph Tiger 1050. My direction depends on the time of day (I prefer not to have the sun in my eyes when doing the more twisty App Gap), and there are some great swimming holes along the route.
Team Justacooper
Once you realize almost all roads move at the same speed you start reading maps much differently. They limit will drop from "50" to 25 quickly for any urbanish areas. It is usually short and for good reason. In other words, go fast elsewhere but respect the downtown sections and drive the speed limit. That's where the cops sit too, but it's not just for that...small price to pay for the excellent freedom the rest of the open road gives.
