RIDE SUGGESTIONS

Visit Americade - The COG Fall Weekend event coincides with the ending dates of the 2021 Americade event in Lake George NY., 9/21-9/25. Lake George is less than 100 miles from the Grey Ghost Inn. One of the quickest routes would be to take Rt-100 North to Rt-11 West into Manchester VT. Take Rt-30 North to US-4 South to Rt-149 West, in Fort Ann NY. Follow Rt-149W to US-9 North into Lake George. Approximately 2-1/2 hour ride.

Vermont Gaps Ride - There are three primary Gaps that cut through the National Forest. Each gap road links Rt-100 from the East with US-7 to the West. • Starting from West Dover, the 1st Gap to the north is “The Brandon Gap”, (Rt-73). • The next Gap to the north is “The Middlebury Gap”, (Rt-125). • The 3rd Gap to the north is “Mad River”, (Rt-17). Note: Be careful riding Mad River as there are several hairpin turns and extremely steep grades in several locations. Attempting to ride all (3) gaps is an all day 300 mile round trip ride back to West Dover. Taking the Brandon Gap west then the Middlebury Gap east back to Rt-100 South to West Dover is about a 6 hour, 225 mile loop, not including stops. When riding Mad River, I prefer going East on Rt-17, uphill through the hair pin turns to the summit, then the downhill twisties back toward Rt-100. I usually ride Rt-100 north to Rt-125 west then take Rt-116 north in Middlebury to Rt-17 east (Mad River). Enjoy riding the Gaps!

Northern Vermont - Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream - Located on Rt-100 in Waterbury VT., about 1 mile north of I-89. Take the ice cream factory tour, they give free samples. Other locations in Northern VT: Burlington and . Take I-89 to save time on the way North or back South. Smugglers’ Notch State Park - The famous Smugglers' Notch is a narrow pass through the Green Mountains. Lined with 1,000-foot cliffs, the winding road is closed in winter. Starting at the Barnes Camp Visitor Center, the 3.5-mile long scenic highway brings visitors though a steep and winding pass filled with beautiful vistas and recreational opportunities. Located on Rt-108 out of Stowe VT., a motorcycle trip through Smugglers Notch is not for the faint hearted and should only be attempted by experienced riders. Heading North out of Stowe on Rt-108, the Notch and associated hair pin turns will be uphill. Even so, this is a low speed, 1st & 2nd gear ride through the extremely narrow notch and twisties until you reach the top. The actual Notch road is only about 1-1/2 cars wide, so be very careful of vehicles coming down from the top. They tend to hog the road. There are no pull offs through the Notch, but the road is completely paved all the way. Rt-108 joins Rt-15 to the North. If you choose to do Smugglers Notch over the summit, take Rt-15 Southeast to re-join Rt-100 in Morristown VT.

Eastern VT - Eastern VT., hosts the larger of the two Vermont Country Stores, located in the town of Rockingham. Take Rt-100 North to Rt-103 East. The VT Country Store will be on your right heading toward I-91 & US-5. After visiting the Country Store, take US-5 North into Ascutney VT. Take Scenic Rt-131 West all the way into the town of Ludlow to re-join Rt-100 South back toward West Dover. You’ll eventually enter the tiny town of Weston where the other Vermont Country Store is located. Rt-131 was being repaved back in July, so this scenic road that follows the Black River will be a great ride on new pavement!

Quechee Gorge Ride - The Quechee Gorge is a nice take for you scenic lovers and picture takers. Quechee is located on US-4 near the NH border. If you’re interested in visiting Quechee, one option would be to take Rt-100 North into Ludlow then take Rt-100A north all the way to US-4. Follow US-4 East all the way into Quechee, park at the Visitor Center and take in the view. On the way back, head East and take US-5 South down into Ascutney then take Scenic Rt-131 West back to Rt-100 South. VERMONT ATTRACTIONS

The free Vermont attractions guide lists many area attractions, but here’s a few that might interest Rally attendees. Please verify attraction opening in advance due to potential COVID restrictions.

Church Street Market Place - Historic Church Street Marketplace is a pedestrian mall in the heart of of downtown Burlington with over 130 shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes, street vendors, and entertainers. Events and festivals make for an exciting and fun-filled attraction. www.churchstreetmarketplace.com

Shelburne Museum - One of the nation’s finest, most diverse and unconventional museums of art, design and Americana. Over 150,000 works in 39 buildings. Beautifully landscaped 45 acre campus, dozens of gardens. Folk art, Impressionist art, quilts, steamboat Ticonderoga. Located in Shelburne VT., 802-985-3346 www.shelburnemuseum.org

The Vermont Teddy Bear Company - Watch Teddy Bears take shape with sewing, stitching and stuffing. Visit the Bear Shop where you can choose a favorite Bear or make one of your own. Located at 6655 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne VT. 802-985-3001, www.VermontTeddyBear.com

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum - Discover the history, ecology and archeology of Lake Champlain. Visit the 4-acre waterfront campus to step aboard a 1776 gunboat, see the Blacksmith shop, experience cutting edge archeological research, and get hands-on with history. Located at; 4772 Basin Harbor Rd., 7 miles from Vergennes. 802-475-2022 www.lcmm.org

Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall - Located on the grounds of the Von Trapp Family Lodge, the von Trapp Brewing Beerhall is a gathering place for friends to enjoy a little of Austria and a lot of Vermont, serving fresh lager beers and Austrian lunch and dinner selections. Located at 1333 Luce Hill Rd., Stowe VT. 802-253-5750, www.trappfamily.com

Cold Hollow Cider Mill - Watch fresh apple cider pressed year-round on an old-fashioned rack-and-cloth press. Fresh cider donuts made daily. Live observation beehive. Free cider samples. Located at 3600 Waterbury- Stowe Rd., Waterbury Center, VT. 05677. 802-244-8771 www.coldhollow.com

Quechee Gorge - Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon. Beautiful vistas 162 feet above the Ottauqueechee River. Walking trail along the mile-long chasm. Quechee Gorge Gift Shop. Located at; 6053 Woodstock Rd., (Rt 4), Jct., VT 05001, 802-295-2075

Vermont Country Store - There are two Vermont Country Stores within riding distance of West Dover VT. The closest store is north on Rt-100 in Weston, 657 Main St., (Rt-100), Weston VT. The other store is on Rt-103 in Rockingham VT., about 3 miles west of I-91. 1292 Rockingham Rd., Rockingham VT.

Hogback Mtn. Country Store and Scenic Overlook - Take in the 100 mile view at the Hogback Mountain scenic overlook and visit the Country Store, established in 1936. Open daily 9-5 pm. Located at; 7627 VT-9 East, Wilmington VT. mountaincountrystore.com