Let's face it, few of us live near enough to the rally site to sleep in our own beds every night, so the vast majority of us are going to be riding (or driving) to the Rally from places all over the continent. This page will help make the trip more fun, whether you're coming to the Rally, going home afterwards or just looking for someplace fun and interesting to ride to while you're in town.
For general information on the Burlington, Vermont, area, visit their Chamber of Commerce's website.
Your Ride Committee is pleased to present you with some routes for your riding pleasure! Where possible, we've included GPX files for you; if your browser displays a message like "Can't load this file type" or "This file is unsupported," either click the supplied download link in that window or right-click (command-click on a Mac) the link on this page to access the context menu and download the GPX file.
We also invite you to visit our Ride Center, located in the northeast corner of the fairground, near the gate to Route 2A which is open during the day. There is plenty of room to congregate, with an easy exit to all our published rides. Vermont is a great place to ride bikes and we hope you enjoy your visit.
If you ride one of our routes drop by the Ride Center at the end of the day for a cold beverage and share highlights of your ride.which will be the place for people who are ready to ride and are looking for the latest info on local rides and events. It's also the perfect place for lone riders to join a group for a day or more. There will be a rider's meeting Thursday - Saturday at 08:30. Morning coffee and pastries thanks to MAX BMW Motorcycles. Filtered water for your hydration pack. We'll have some technical support for folks having issues with .GPX files, local legends, experts and authors of the rides we're sharing will be around for tips and tricks. Compressor too, know your pressure. We'll close after the rides leave, go ride our bikes and be available when we get back.
At this time we have a few scheduled rides, check the rally app for the latest updates. (All rides depart approximately 09:00)
Friday
- Ride to the State House with the BMW Riders of Washington D.C. (all bikes, paved route)—departure time TBD.
- Women's Ride with staff from SheADV. Adventure bikes. Great stop for lunch planned.
Saturday
- The Shop Ride with TEAM MAX BMW. This route is intended for adventure bikes, big bike hard / easy.
The NEK Big Adventure by David Aho
This is a delightful 197-mile ride on dirt provided by a local legend. It's a full day ride suitable for all riders (and especially suited for GS riders) offering spectacular views through some of Vermont’s best farmland. Start with a full tank and bring a snack and water, as there’s not much on the route until Coventry. If you’d like a nice lunch, the only stop is Martha’s Diner—one of the few remaining classic American diners in Vermont—but they close at 2 PM. The chrome-plated 1953 Fodero Dining Car was manufactured in Newark, New Jersey, and brought to Coventry, Vermont, from its original home in Saugus, Massachusetts, in the 1970s. Family run for over 40 years, Martha's is known for their great food. Save room for pie!
Oh Canada! by Mike Kowal
This route across a mountain pass and through the Quebec countryside is 183 miles, 95% of it on pavement. There is one stretch of graded dirt, with a bypass included. It will take you six to seven hours to complete this ride at a leisurely pace. This is a great ride and a wonderful way to get a nice sample of Quebec. Highly recommended by your Ride Committee!
THIS RIDE ENTERS CANADA! You will need a Real ID, passport or passport card for this ride.
Going counter-clockwise, you'll find waypoints for amazing pastries in Stowe, Vermont, more excellent pastries and coffee in Jeffersonville, Vermont, a Montreal-style bagel in Sutton, Quebec, a stop loved by riders for food and drink on the water at Le Sandbar, a historical site and Wally's, another option on the water for lunch.
Google Maps link for this route.
Fort Ticonderoga Loop by Peter Burke
A street bike alternative to avoid the construction on VT17 while taking in Fort Ticonderoga of Revolutionary War fame. It threads its way between the farmland of the Champlain Valley and the western edge of the Green Mountains, crossing into NY right by the fort. Fort Ticonderoga is a worthwhile stop. From there back up to Port Henry, then west on twisty Ensign Pond Road and back east on equally twisty Tracy Road before heading north to cross back into Vermont on the Essex-Charlotte Ferry.
Google Maps link for this route.
Groton State Forest Loop by Peter Burke
Peacham Groton SF Loop. 4.5 hours riding time. It takes I-89 south to Montpelier to save time. (If you prefer a slower pace, stay on US-2 which parallels the Interstate to Montpelier.)
At Montpelier pick up US-2 and follow it through a scenic valley of old farmland to VT-232. Turn right on 232 and follow that delightfully twisty road through Groton State Forest till it ends at US-302. Left onto 302, then left again onto Peacham Rd. Pass through the tiny town of Peacham to Danville where you turn left onto US-2. Turn right on VT-15 in West Danville, following it through Hardwick and Morrisville to Johnson VT. (Note: if you’re tired at this point and just want to get back to the rally, stay on VT-15 all the way, otherwise continue as below on more scenic roads that roughly parallel Hwy 15.)
Shortly past Johnson bear right onto twisty Hogback Rd which follows the Lamoille River. When it ends after 4.5 miles turn left onto VT-109, then left again when it terminates at VT-108. At the roundabout in Jeffersonville take the first exit onto VT-15. If you’re hungry the Burger Barn is on your left just a couple hundred yards from the roundabout. It’s a local favorite for good reason! In the town of Cambridge turn left onto Lower Pleasant Valley Road, stay right onto Pleasant Valley Road, then River Road back to VT-15. Make a left onto 15, stopping at Palmer Lane Maple if you need a creemee, remaining on 15 back to the rally.
Google Maps link for this route.
6 Bones by Rory McQuillan
This all-day ride (269 miles) is called 6 BONEs? C'est si bon!
C'est si bon means "this is good" in French. That's a bit of a nod to our neighbors in Quebec, Canada's only French-speaking province, that is less than a mile away as the salmon swims when you cross the Rt 2 bridge from Vermont to New York. Anyone brought up in my corner of New England in the mid-20th century probably had at least one side of their family tree descended from Franco-Americans, and at celebrations like weddings—after sufficient alcohol was consumed— C'est si bon! could be heard ringing out with gusto from various corners of the room. You may be tempted to utter this phrase after enjoying some of the corners on this route.
The first BONE encountered is Ed Conde's Best of the Champlain Islands ride, or a reasonable facsimile of it, in northwestern Vermont. After crossing into New York, you mostly ride down Rt 9 past the Ausable Chasm, and encounter a trio of NY BONE roads in rapid succession: Lincoln Pond Road, Tracy Road and Ensign Pond Road. After crossing back into Vermont, you will cross the Green Mountains on the Appalachian Gap, my favorite Vermont twisties, and will go through Smuggler's Notch, another BONE favorite, before arriving back at the Smuggler's Notch Inn in Jeffersonville. It's a place that made me feel like I'd stepped onto the set of Newhart when I stayed there. There is a good restaurant in an old livestock area below the inn.
Google Maps link for this route.
Dirty Gap Ride by David Aho
The Appalachian Gap is Vermont's version of the Dragon. It's windy, it's scenic and it's paved. This is a dual-sport ride that features the App Gap. It's 155 miles long and it's 75% dirt.
Google Maps link for this route.
Waterbury Loop and Smuggler's Notch by Peter Burke
This loop takes the rider to Waterbury using a partially paved and lightly traveled road that follows the Winooski River.
From Waterbury, it parallels the heavily trafficked VT-100 using dirt roads that hug the shoulder of Hunger Mountain, passing through a covered bridge to the north end of that tourist town’s Main Street. From there you’ll head north about four miles on pavement, then return to dirt at Sterling Valley, pass another covered bridge, and meander on well-maintained dirt roads sparsely populated by a mix of modest homes from the 1950-1980s and more recent trophy homes. Turning right on VT-108 you’ll ride through the legendary Smuggler’s Notch to Jeffersonville, where you’ll catch the very scenic Pleasant Valley Road to Underhill to avoid traffic on VT-15. From Underhill it’s just a few miles back to the Expo.
Google Maps link for this route.
Gaps, Smuggler's and Bridges by Mike Foerster
Essex - Richmond (only round church in VT) - Appalachian Gap (twisty) - Warren - Lincoln Gap (twisty and partially dirt) - East Middlebury (beautiful ride along the river) - Hancock - Rochester - Randolph - Northfield Falls (three covered bridges in a row) - (partially dirt road to) Moretown - Waterbury.
This file has two tracks. The first stays south of I-89 and is 168 miles. The second includes Stowe and Smuggler's Notch and is 194 miles. Stowe is a great spot for lunch and a walk.
Google Maps link for this route.
A Big, Big Day of Adventure by Andrew Phillips
[/caption]Buckle up your boots and check your knobbies! Here's a ride just for you from the architect of the NEBDR and it's got a bit of everything and at 284 miles—how could it not? This is not a ride to do alone. In fact, if you're going to do this one, why not stop by the ride center and let us know you're going? We'll give you a cell number to text when you return.
Google Maps link for this route.
Adirondacks Dual Sport Loop by Peter Burke
A lovely dual sport loop in the Adirondacks with a nice ride on a boat.
Google Maps link for this route.
GS Mystery Ride (President Arthur's Cabin) by Andrew Phillips
A 97-mile magical mystery ride for those who like dirt by the NEBDR Architect for riders who like dirt. This ride has not been scouted, but it should not be overly challenging.
Google Maps link for this route.
Mad River Loop by Andrew Phillips
This is a great half-day ride on some excellent pavement with great roads and greater views. About 116 miles.
Google Maps link for this route.
Ride with SCENIC
More information to follow, but the short version is that MOA members will get 20% off in the SCENIC app.
