Thursday June 5: Lancaster to DeBanville's General Store via VT side of the CT River

The weather should be fine for a bike ride tomorrow! Let's do it!! The forecast as of 5:15 pm on Wednesday is for clouds in the morning and some sun in the afternoon, very light winds, mid to upper 60's. This should be fine for a bike ride -- no rain and no heat!!

One of the ThursdayBike Group's favorite places is the Vermont side of the Connecticut River. Vermont Route 102 is a quiet rural road that is very green and lush in the springtime. Typically, the group has done the section starting from DeBanville's General Store in Bloomfield, VT to the Canadian Border, and sometimes we have crossed to border to ride a bit of Quebec.

This ride for Thursday, June 5th follows the southern section of VT102, starting from Lancaster and ends at DeBanville's General Store, where we can get food and ice cream for the lunch stop. A few ThursdayBikers (including Russ on his motorcycle!) did this section last fall, and it was decided that it was a great ThursdayBike ride!

Carpool, save gas: Dunkin Donuts in Glen at 8:30 am

Ride Starts: 10:00 from the parking lot of Shaw's Supermarket in Lancaster, on the right side of Route 3 North, just north of the town center.

Terrain: Lots of flat or very gradual ups and downs, some rolling hills; no Asparagus Hill, easier than Snowville, easier than that hilly section of the Wonalancet ride, no notches. Great ride to achieve your first 50 miler...

How far: 49 miles. See map below. (If you just have to get that 50 mile ride in for your record books - just continue up Route 102 from DeBanville's until your odometer says 25.00 then turn back!!)
I have longer options that includes 2 covered bridges for a total of 60 miles, or 3 covered bridges for 76 miles - see map below.

Shorter Option?!!! Drive up a bit further up Route 3 north and cross the CT River via the bridge into Guildhall, VT and start from there. Park alongside the Town Green (bear right after you cross the bridge, then make a left alongside the green). This will take 18 miles off and give you a 31 mile ride.

Another shorter option? Ride from Lancaster to Guildhall for an 18 mile ride. Bring your lunch if you opt for this -- the General Store in Guildhall is not always open.

Directions: Route 302 to Twin Mountain stoplight. Take a right onto Route 3 north. Follow Route 3 though Whitefield, then continue on Route 3 into Lancaster. Shaw's Supermarket is on the right, approximately 0.5 mile north of the center of Lancaster on Route 3. It is across the street from Dunkin Donuts. Park at the part of the lot closest to the road, furthest from the store entrance.

Bring: Snacks and water. Bring your lunch or buy it at DeBanville's - there is a deli.

Don't forget to pump your tires and lube your chain!

For the map Click on:





For the map of the longer, covered bridge ride, click on: