Brandon to Waitsfield

Consignes de sécurité

• Brandon Gap is a steady climb with some broken pavement on the Brandon side. In the summer of 2018, there was construction going up the Gap, so be alert for possible single-lane closures.  There are a number of places where it is safe to pull off (shoulder widens) and catch your breath/ take a photo/ have a drink; we recommend using these pull-out areas as it is much easier to restart from these points.  Once you have crested the top of the hill ( you will see a sign for 9% grade on the way down), control your speed on the way down.  The new pavement makes riding quickly very easy, so use extreme caution.
• You will be most visible when wearing high-visibility clothing, such as a neon cycling vest.
• Please keep both hands on the bike at all times.
• Always wear your helmet when riding.
• Be cautious when approaching railroad tracks. Consider stopping to walk your bike across the tracks. Some track crossings note that trains do not blow their whistle as they cross.
• Always ensure you carry enough water, especially as there are stretches where water is less-readily available.
• Painted lines on the road become slippery when they are wet.
• Obey traffic laws in all areas. This means riding on the right-hand side of the road, and braking at all stop signs and stop lights.
• Carefully monitor the condition of the shoulder as debris may appear after accidents, rain, or wind.
• Use verbal and non-verbal commands to let others you may be riding with and vehicles know when you intend to stop, slow down, or turn.
• Control your speed on all descents.

Conseils et recommandations supplémentaires

Food & Drink

Sandy’s Books & Bakery

Books and bakery, what's not to love? Pop in for a treat, an espresso, or an expertly-crafted sandwich, as a reward for crossing the gap!

Rochester Café & Corner Store

Delicious options, made fresh, with local ingredients, this cafe is a favorite of many local Vermonters.  Buyer beware! The service can be a bit slow, so make sure you're looking for a good break before stopping by. 

Sunshine Valley Organic Berry Farm

Pull an ‘I Love Lucy’ at this you-pick organic berry farm, and carry more out in your stomach than you do on your bike. 

North Hollow Farm Store

If you can hold off a for a brief moment, the North Hollow Farm Store serves up Maple Creamies, among other Vermont treats, and is just past the Rochester town line.

Warren Store

A great deli counter, tasty homemade treats, and an enviable local, craft beer selection await those who enter this loved-by-locals general store, with a sense of humor, and daily deli selections listed on their website.

Mad Taco

Located in Waitsfield, your home for the evening, you won’t miss the parking lot smoker they use to slow-flavor their pork. Vegetarians and gulten-free folks, rejoice! There are plenty of options to choose from.

American Flatbread

Open Thursday-Sunday, if you haven’t taken advantage of opportunities to sample this Vermont Classic in Burlington, or Middlebury, here’s your chance! Enjoy the local flavors at this Mad River location.

Sweet Spot

Excellent espresso drinks and pastry options, and great proximity to the Covered Bridge Swimming Spot.  Stop by after a dip for a sweet treat, and you may have to pinch yourself just to prove you’re not dreaming.

Points of Interest:

Forest Dale Iron Works

One of the oldest, best preserved, and ONLY surviving iron furnaces in Vermont, you’ll skirt right past the historical pack, demarcating the significance of this antique.

Vermont Long Trail

A 272-mile footpath along the state of Vermont, many the wanderlust, outdoor enthusiast, and first-time hiker have set foot on some part of this trail to weave through Vermont’s Green Mountains and north or south across the state.

Mom & Pop’s World’s Best Maple Syrup

Maybe it’s because you’ve just come off the pass, or maybe it’s because you can’t leave Vermont without syrup, but this sugar shack, at the base of Brandon as you head toward Rochester, may have exactly what you’re looking for!

Green Mountain Bikes

Stop by if your bike is in need of any tuning.

Scenic Route 100

Considered one of the most scenic drives (rides) in New England, Route 100 is home to the oldest arts and crafts school in the country, Plymouth Notch, a pristine early 20th-century hill town, and the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site; it is also unyieldingly gorgeous.

Granville Bowl Mill

Stop by to gift friends, family, and your own kitchen with expertly-crafted one-piece hardwood bowls!

Moss Glen Falls

A waterfall of more than 30ft along the scenic Route 100 Mad River Byway, this small pull off is worth the break to walk over and stand by the falls!

Lareau Swim Hole

Jump from a conveniently-placed rock into this deep swimming hole or simply wade down the sandy bank into the dropoff, on a warm day, this spot is not to be missed!

Waitsfield Covered Bridge Swim Spot

Located in the center of Waitsfield, this local favorite is a great place to cool off and relax at the end of your ride. Pro tip: pop over to The Sweet Spot for a sweet treat afterwards!

Remarque

Coordonnées