Publisher’s Letter | A Bicycle Built for Fun

I’ve always been able to find the joie de vivre behind the handlebars of a bicycle—whether it was on my Schwinn 10-speed on which I built my first business, my Hello Kitty beach cruiser that joined me on every beach vacation for a decade, my carbon fiber road bike I got for a Lance Armstrong ride (pre-scandal) or my fat-tire road bike for getting around my neighborhood today.

So as a lover of riding on two wheels, it was always a dream to combine another favorite pastime, savoring the changing colors of the leaves, with biking, with the ultimate destination for riding among the vibrant foliage when you travel to Vermont. So, when the invitation came in, I was fully onboard for a week of cycling through the rolling hills…steep hills by the way…in the Green Mountains and through peaceful (and yes, flat) farmland.

Southern Vermont is made for bicycling, and it’s fun to chat with other riders about what they’ve seen along their rides through vibrant foliage, picturesque rivers, picture-worthy old red barns and meandering waterways.

Vermont is mecca for maple. Syrup stands dot the roadsides, and everything from pancakes to lattes to candies to bottles of liquid amber are for sale. When not in maple mode, the Vermont locals recommend travelers savor craft beer with local cheeses.

Biking in and out of quant New England villages, like Stowe, Warren, East Middlebury and Woodstock, food, fun and shopping abound, pretty much all in your clip-ins. Dress in layers as the temps can vary dramatically on one day’s ride, and always pack your rain gear…it’s the East Coast.

It’s great to ride as a group, and even better with a luxury guide, who scouts the best routes and sets up delicious meals along the way. Add a storied, classic Vermont inn to your stay, and you have an amazing escape.

Yes, biking in Vermont provides some challenging climbs for travelers, but as I always say, “what goes up, must come down” when it comes to rides and hikes.

Coasting downhill, with the wind in your face and a view ahead that rivals any painting you’ve ever seen makes all the effort to get to this moment worth it. As in life, you get out of it what you put in.

So, start pedaling and Live Beautifully.