Exploring the Best of Vermont with Our Local Trip Leaders

Whether you’re coasting down a smooth forest trail, riding along the glistening banks of Lake Champlain, or peddling across a blooming meadow, it’s easy to understand why Vermont has long been a premier destination for cyclists. And while the well-traveled trails and bike paths surrounding Burlington and the Champlain Islands boast national acclaim, it's the lesser-known vistas and small local shops you’ll find in the smaller lanes and villages that give the state its inimitable allure. Our local Vermont Trip Leaders give you the skinny on their favorite stops and little-known sites in the Green Mountain State.

Artisan Shops and Local Eats with Moira Deziel

There’s a lot more to the Vermont art scene than cartoon cows and kaleidoscopic photos of fall foliage—just ask VBT trip leader Moira Deziel. “Strolling along Pine Street in Burlington and visiting all of the shops and art galleries is one of my favorite stops on our tour,” says Moira. Ranking highest on her list of suggested Pine Street stops is the 10,000 square feet studio of AO Glass, a glass-blowing studio that has sold unique crafts and held private glass-blowing workshops since its founding in 2007. From custom-made, high-end glass components to tableware, AO Glass continues to be one of the city’s most respected craftspeople.

And if your morning ride and local arts exploration helps you work up an appetite, Deziel has just the spot in mind. Just a short two blocks down Pine Street, Haymaker Bun Company serves up breakfast and lunch from its Burlington café inside the historic Soda Plant, with a menu built around pillowy handmade brioche buns, pastries, local ingredients, and plenty of sweet and savory options. It’s an ideal pre-ride stop for a satisfying bun and coffee, or a post-gallery lunch before heading back out to explore. Coffee lovers can also pop next door to Brio Coffeeworks, a woman-owned specialty coffee roastery and café known for lightly roasted coffees, espresso drinks, and a welcoming space for anyone looking to linger over a thoughtfully crafted cup.

Quirky Silos and Maple Creemees with Chip Martin

Vermont’s natural landscape is as vibrant and colorful as the flowers that call it home. And while the state’s reliance on agriculture has waned in recent decades, the iconic barn silos that dot the hillsides still play an important role in the environment. As VBT trip leader Chip Martin explains, “On one of our rides — Pilots Point Road in North Hero — there’s an osprey nest on the top of an old silo,” Chip says, “It defies gravity that it remains up there, year after year.” The nest is just one of the many unique sights’ cyclists can catch with a knowledgeable and experienced VBT Trip Leader captaining their ride. In fact, silo oddities are one of Chip’s specialties. “There’s another abandoned silo in Grand Isle that we pass on our ride,” says Chip. “It must have been left full because a large tree has been growing up out of it for several years now. I’m tempted to look inside and see how tall the tree really is.”

Chip is also a bit of an expert on another hallowed Vermont tradition: the celebrated creemee. “Vermont is the only state that calls soft-serve ice cream by this term,” says Martin, “and the maple creemee is the one we dream about all winter.” In Martin’s extensive bike travels throughout the state, he’s formed a running list of the few creemee purveyors who use 100% pure Vermont maple syrup in their creemees, one of which is Burlington Bay Cafe on the waterfront in Burlington. Burlington Bay is also home to a traditional American fare menu and outdoor deck sporting sprawling views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. You might even spot an osprey soaring back to its renovated farmhouse home.

Exploring Shelburne Farms with Kara Hubbard

The Shelburne Museum, complete with an annual calendar of exhibitions, outdoor summer concerts, and works by artists such as Homer, Wyeth, and Monet, is one of New England's most celebrated cultural centers. But according to VBT trip leader Kara Hubbard, no trip to Shelburne is complete without a visit to both the museum and nearby Shelburne Farms.
“No matter what time of year you visit, the paths around Shelburne Farms are stunning,” says Kara. “There is also a rotating schedule of demonstrations, such as cheese making and birding, and a petting zoo that kids love.” Shelburne Farms is a non-profit education center for sustainability as well as a working, 3,800-acre farm. Their broad range of seasonal activities includes everything from summertime picnics to holiday sleigh rides, each an unforgettable way to experience Vermont at its most wholesome best.
Kara’s favorite summer spot? Easily the Waterbury Reservoir. “There’s a nice little beach and beautiful surrounding area to explore,” says Hubbard. “I often combine my visits with a trip to the nearby Cold Hollow Cider Mill — their cider donuts and other treats are delicious!”