smokey52
Posts:498
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| 07/24/2014 07:25 PM |
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I'll be heading up to Vermont for a wedding celebration soon. A bunch of the family will hang around for a week after in the Barton area. Some of my brothers want to ride trails, so I got a mtn bike (Trek 29er Ex 8) t to ride with them. Before I only did road. The new mtn bike is quite an experience. I had trouble starting up again when I stopped on the uphill. Also, with the flat pedals, my feet often bounced off. I ordered some new shoes and pedals, so that may fix both issues. or not. I'm still learning.
It looks like there are lots of great road rides in the area. In any case, being with family will be great. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 07/24/2014 08:19 PM |
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| I urge you to forgo road riding: Go to E. Burke and ride the Kingdom Trails. The east side is harder, slimier, rootier. The west side is on an esker, basically sand, so it dries fast. |
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jrt1045
Posts:363
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| 07/25/2014 09:41 AM |
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Summer in Vt is the best week of the year!
+2 on Kingdom Trails
http://www.kingdomtrails.com/
Fairly rideable and fun, you're pretty close too. Willoughby area (right next to Barton) has some great hiking - at least it did years ago. Spent like a decade in St Johnsbury. Irregardless, its a great time to visit and you'll have fun |
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thinline
Posts:325
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| 07/25/2014 10:40 AM |
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I don't mtn bike but yes, I have heard rave reviews about the Kingdom Trail in East Burke. Also, some very nice road loops if you have a road bike to ride. The roads can be a tad banged up but trafic in the NEK is pretty light most times and the views are great.
jrt is correct, some nice hiking in the Lake Willoughby area. Nice lake for swimming to. Deep and cold!
If you're going to do road, I could give you a couple good suggestions ranging in the 50-100 mile world up that way. I might even be persuaded to go along. I only get up NEK way afew times a year. |
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thinline
Posts:325
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| 07/25/2014 10:41 AM |
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| jrt, weather in VT, 6 months of winter followed by 6 months of crappy sledding. |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 07/25/2014 11:53 AM |
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| July and August in the NE Kingdom are great. Totally agree about the Kingdom Trails -- I've even ridden my cross bike on some of the easier sections. Road riding in that area is terrific too -- beautiful scenery and not much traffic. |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 07/25/2014 12:04 PM |
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I checked http://www.nvda.net/files/cyclingthekingdom070413.pdf for ideas. The "Around the Block" route goes right through Barton and would not take all day.
One of my sisters and her family are staying at a place on Willoughby.
thanks for the suggestions.
smokey |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 07/25/2014 12:14 PM |
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jrt, weather in VT, 6 months of winter followed by 6 months of crappy sledding.
But, it's New England. There are no hard and fast rules re: weather. I visited my old riding partner in East Thetsford, VT early last May. Went for a 40 mile road ride. Beautiful day and low 80s!
The roads were 2/3s paved. The unpaved roads were high quality, well maintained and very ride-able with noting more that biggish tires. (I brought shoes and pedals, my riding partner's husband lent me a very nice Spectrum. 56 when a 59 would do better but we put all the stem spacers on top and it worked well. Nice bike!)
To be riding in sun, warmth and bare trees but green ground in New Hampshire and Vermont - doesn't get much better! The views were amazing.
Ben |
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LouM
Posts:28
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| 07/25/2014 12:23 PM |
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Starting on an uphill....
Select a gear that will not be too tough to get going but not so easy that the crank will spin too fast.
Put your butt on the "saddle" with your power foot on the pedal. The pedal should be at about 1:00 on the power stroke.
Your other foot (toe if your saddle is adjusted properly) holding you stable on the trail.
Slightly lean forward over the handlebars and step forward with your power stroke.
Your momentum should bring the opposite pedal up and around for your other foot to apply more power.
Keep your azz on the saddle until you are rolling smoothly.
Enjoy life on the trails.
Lou... |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 07/26/2014 05:42 AM |
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I bought new shoes and pedals. I took a trial ride yesterday afternoon, and found much better control. My feet did not bounce off the pedals. I have to adjust the release force a bit. I did find a friendly tree that kept me upright when I stopped suddenly. I even started on the uphill without issue.
smokey |
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