Now that I live in Vermont it's about time I start hitting some bucket list items. The list includes the Six Gaps of Vermont but with trying to find a new job and other responsibilities in my new home I have to approach them in a more segmented fashion. Also, I want to hit them in both directions to see which approach is harder.
Ann always tells me to check the weather and so I did 7 miles into the ride while on Route 7. Looked good to me, it was sunny and partly cloudy. I did look at the weather app before leaving the house and there was a chance of rain in Rutland around 3 PM. What I should have done is checked for the towns that I would be riding through.
I have seen this guy riding around Rutland pulling a Burley Trailer with his belongings and no helmet. Homelessness is a big problem in these parts and I was surprised to see this guy riding Route 7, especially with no helmet. Vermont drivers, for the most part are pretty courteous to cyclists and give them the required 4 feet clearance, if not more, when passing. When Ann & I ride out to Wallingford we never get buzzed and most people give us the whole lane when they can.
Rolling by the Cluckin' Cafe in Pittsford got me thinking about food. They have the best Chicken Poutine.
Turning onto McConnell Road in Brandon I stopped at the Citgo to water up and get a snack before climbing the west side of Brandon Gap.
And then the weather changed. Looking at the radar I could see rain coming my way.
When I hit Forest Dale I knew I was going to get some rain but I hoped it would just be light.
I was lucky it was just a light rain. I didn't have anything with me, no Gilet or rain jacket, something I am going to have to start planning on for future rides.
The fun began when I crossed into Green Mountain National Forest.
The road up was pretty straight punctuated with some steep sections.
On one of the steeper sections there were some nice Birch Trees lining the road.
Then, I was at the top of Brandon Gap.
Looking back the other way, it was a 12% climb.
According to RWGPS, a Hors Categorie climb!
A little ways down from the top is a scenic view of granite cliffs called Mt Horrid.
Of course, I had to stop and gawk.
The geology seems to be similar to White Rocks just not as drastic.
Off to the right in the picture above, just at the tree line is towering boulder that I wish I had stopped to get another picture of but by the time I noticed it I was already moving fast and didn't want to give up my downward momentum. When I ride the gap from the other direction I will be sure to get a good picture of it.
And it's now sunny!
At the bottom of the descent, where the road turns 90 degrees, there is a road to the left called Bingo Road. I wonder if it was named for all the cars that missed the turn, "Bingo, there goes another one!"
Once down in the valley it's pretty flat and it looks like it rained here, too.
Crossed over the White River and then turned onto Vermont Route 100
Houses on the outskirts of Rochester
Objets d'Arte?
Gratuitis Cow shot
Heading east on RT 100 and I believe that is Mt Carmel
Stopped at the Original General Store in Pittsfield, VT for lunch
The Chilli was awesome. It came with Cheddar Cheese slices.
After lunch I continued towards Killington and it looked like more rain was on the way
and from this angle you can just make out Pico Mountain.
Then fun begins.
There's the fish sculptures
entering Killington
It started raining about a mile from Route 4
but stopped on my climb to the pass.
Just 20 feet lower than Brandon Gap but 30 feet more than Rochester Gap.
Deer Leap
The Long Tail Pub was closed so I descended Rt 4. When I was passing the entrance to Pico Mountain The Bus, Rutland's Transit System, was coming out and it seemed like the driver was coming for me. Not 10 seconds later The Bus, Number 138, passed me within a foot! You would think that the driver would know that there is a 4 foot passing law in Vermont. I reported the driver to Killington Police.
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