POMG Bike Tours

We'll enjoy Burlington, one of the most active and livable small cities in the country, then pedal north through the Lake Champlain Islands on our way to the Northeast Kingdom, tackle an optional century ride as well as a couple of mountain gap rides. Of course food and accommodations are central to your comfort and we'll be staying at five inns which will not disappoint.

In addition to the idyllic cycling, Discover Southern Vermont offers a taste of all the things you associate with The Green Mountain State: Clean, clear rivers, Country General Stores, pure Vermont Maple Syrup, antique shops and an award winning cheese factory. We visit the timeless towns of Woodstock, Chester, Grafton and Plymouth (birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge). You will get a picture of the Vermont that has inspired artisans, poets and statesmen. Riding from village to village, you will enjoy some of the most scenic vistas Vermont has to offer.

This is Vermont's oldest continuously operated country inn and features charming and comfortable lodging, excellent dining, and a country collection of front porch rockers. The atmosphere is reminiscent of 18th century splendor with contemporary amenities.

Saturday, we ride north and then east toward the historic Village of Woodstock. The ride is easy with one fun challenge, the short but steep "Hysteria Hill." Next we arrive at President Calvin Coolidge's birthplace and homestead where he was sworn into office by his father on August 3, 1923. The village remains virtually unchanged since 1923; be sure to visit the general store and cheese factory before continuing toward Woodstock on backroads along the Ottauquechee River passing by the Lincoln Covered Bridge. In Woodstock, guests will want to wander through the Village Green and visit the art galleries, craft and antique shops before a stroll through a lattice covered bridge on their way back to the Inn. Opt for the longer mileage and you will ride to the quaint village of Barnard where you can picnic on the shores of Silver Lake and visit the Barnard General Store.

The Inn, referred to as a center hall Federal, was built in the late 1700's and was the first tavern in Chester serving as a stagecoach stop on the Green Mountain Turnpike. During colonial times this turnpike ran from Boston to Montreal, but now is a quiet, picturesque dirt road, perfect for biking or a peaceful walk. Original wide pumpkin pine floors, Rumford fireplaces, original hand- hewn beams, spacious country kitchen and simple early American decor are museum worthy. Situated on 56 acres of rolling meadow and forested farmland, the inn offers a private country setting, but is minutes from the charming Victorian village of Chester. Following a great day of cycling, you can take a refreshing dip in the spring-fed swimming pond or cross the dirt road to submerge yourself in the gently flowing river. Dinner is at seven, deliciously home cooked and served by our outstanding hosts, Patricia and Paul Dexter

We start and finish on the Island of North Hero and cycle on each of the Champlain Islands before crossing Lake Champlain into New York state for two days of heart pumping rides. For our last night we stay in the vibrant college town of Burlington, Vermont's biggest little city. The shores of Lake Champlain (sixth largest lake in the US) serve as home for the first two nights at the aptly named Shore Acres Inn. Innkeepers Susan and Mike Tranby have been pampering guests here for years and have the magic touch.

The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is just that, a kingdom. The most rural and scenic region of Vermont, dotted by glacier-formed lakes and villages that time has forgotten, is our home for the weekend. We'll spend two nights at The Jay Village Inn in the shadow of Jay Peak Ski Resort.

Cycle the entire length of Vermont, 200 miles in two days, stopping at as many swimming holes as you'd like. We begin at the Canadian border and finish at the Massachusetts border. Friday night we stay at Jay Village Inn. Saturday we depart bright and early by 6 a.m. and begin our journey south through Vermont's famous ski villages, Stowe, Waitsfield and Warren. One hundred and five miles later we'll arrive at The Swiss Farm Inn. A well-deserved hearty dinner awaits. Sunday we again rise early and continue south through Plymouth, Ludlow and Jamaica on our way to the Massachusetts border. Along the way you'll see all that Vermont has to offer: covered bridges, apple orchards, cows, endless pastures, Ben & Jerry's, cool rivers for swimming and much more.

Our POMG 20th Anniversary Celebration Tour is designed to honor what makes Vermont a stand-out cycling vacation for visitors who come from around the globe. We have combined our favorite Champlain Valley Inns with Vermont's exceptional back road pedaling terrain. There are mileage options for all abilities and Farm to Table Cuisine to show off our seasonal dishes and local brews. This is a NEW itinerary designed specifically to celebrate 20 years of magic in Vermont.