The Long Trail's Lodge in the Sky

When Sarah and I daydream back in time to our 2001 Long Trail hike, many wonderful memories come to the surface.  The mountains, beautiful vistas, the valleys, trail magic, wild flowers and the freedom of the trail.  But one thing that can stick out when you think about all those nights on the trail, where everyday your home was somewhere new, are certain shelters along the trail. Skyline Lodge, in the Breadloaf Wilderness on the Long Trail, is one of those such places for us. We try to frequent Skyline as much as we can, both because its beautiful and because we have adopted the Green Mountain Club shelter and check in on it from time to time. The Lodge is a four-walled shelter with a big front door and two paneled windows overlooking a front porch and serene Skylight Pond; the backdrop is a long-range mountain view. Its such a special place. The Lodge can be accessed  either from the Long Trail, hiking North or South, depending on where you get on to the trail. Accessing the lodge from the south is the shorter of the two options and the better option for a day hike. A good access point is Route 125 (Middlebury Gap), where the trail crosses at the height of land. This hike is a beautiful 5-mile stretch of rolling terrain. Alternatively, there is a blue-blazed side trail, the Skylight Pond trail which can be accessed by turning off the Middlebury Gap Road onto a dirt road (clear instructions are given in the Long Trail Guidebook). This hike is one of our favorites: 2.5 miles of beautiful switchback climbs alternated with long slabs across the hillside make this a mellow approach through beautiful hard- and softwood forests. We highly recommend hiking to this Lodge, using either route. If you're short on time or are concerned about distance, take the Skylight Pond Trail - you won't regret it

Here are some pictures from our recent hike out there:

Have fun out there!

T&S

Till next year........

A great time was had by all cheering on the cyclists and runners at this years Onion River Sports Cliff street hill climb. A huge thanks to the Cliff st. neighborhood and surrounding community's for supporting this fun and enthusiastic event.  We couldn't do it with out you! or the brutal yet beautiful Cliff st.

See you this Fall?

or till next year!

El Diablo.

Definitely Don't Miss the Vermont Mountain Bike Festival

Want to know where all the sweet single track is in Vermont? Try the newest bikes? Eat great food and meet other mountain bikers? So do we! So we're going to be at the Vermont Mountain Bike Festival on July 16th & 17th - there's still time to sign up! Gear demos, guided rides, skills clinics, a BBQ, local food, great people, and a wickedly good time! And all in support of the great work of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) - like gaining access for mountain biking in Vermont's national forests.

My bathroom floor; it's that time of year

Well what can I say this is usually what my bathroom floor looks like any time of the year and as I walked in and saw all the 2011 catalogs there at my feet I felt, well excited about this coming year of riding. Hell it's my job to sell bikes and yes the bathroom is where I read up, compare and contrast all the new stuff. Is it weird you may ask? Well I don't think so, wasn't the flux capacitor thunk up by Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the bathroom? Why it sure was and yes that was a great fictional movie. But as I think about this summer and I flip through these pages I can only think; this coming season is going to be even better then the last. That is if I can keep the rubber side down and not break a wing like last year; a serious bummer and not recommended. So if you're enjoying the snow but happen to be thinking about that new bike or are just wondering what the heck is new this year? Stop by your local bike shop they just might know and heck I might just be there to tell you.

Now go get outside, and have fun out there.

T.

A Hancock brook day

Home

ORS Man night.

In the Kingdom

With warm temps, rain and snow dumping everywhere but here one can simply not help thinking about riding. Last season was a wet one especially for mountain riders. Thinking back however to all those great rides with good friends puts things in perspective. Yes it was wet, yes we complained alittle and looked forward to the winter season wich is oupon us. We love where we live and well, we live where we are because well....its Vermont. Sure vermont is cloudy, cold, muddy and challenging at times but it's also beautiful, sunnyand deep, yes we do have "some" powder days and we love it. So heres to all of you that have deep snow, bluebird skies, powder days and big lines.

I'm Tristan von Duntz I'll be happy to listen and hear about steep lines and snow as it absolutley burries you up to your waist, as fresh powder hits you in the face. I can only listen as I'm busy taking what I can get here; in Vermont. Till next time ride well and take care of yourselves and remember its not necessarily where you are but what your doing there and if its not fun give it some time or try something else.