My first Vermont Inn to Inn was in 2003 when I was still a newcomer to the cycling world. I was rather surprised to be told early in 2003 that my husband was planning to sign us up for the August tour as at that time I had a brand new road bike (my first) and was still trying to figure out how to hang on to a Touring 1 pack. After several months of hard training (or at least that's what I thought) I was still very apprehensive about my abilities. At the pre-tour social, I met a partner in crime who was also unsure about joining the tour, but since she'd already done the Rideau Lakes several times, I wasn't quite convinced that we were in the same league. Well we did fine, and now 6 years later, we're the organizers for this year's Inn to Inn. 
The Vermont Inn to Inn seems to get a reputation for being intimidating. Admittedly knowing some of the cyclists that do this regularly, it’s not surprising that this reputation exists, but after meeting the participants over the last 5 years, I’ve met cyclists of all calibres who have done the tour regardless of age or extreme levels of fitness.
The tour requires cyclists to be able to cycle up to 100 km per day in up and down country, but since the lodging, meals and luggage transportation are all taken care of, cyclists have little to worry about other than the weather. We usually leave the inn round about 9 am, but with breakfast organized for 7.30 am, slower cyclists can be off earlier, although from experience these early birds are usually the first ones to the next inn. Maps are provided of the route, and are easy to follow, except for those of us with husbands who frequently use the excuse of getting lost to extend the route. Dinner time depends on the inn, but it’s usually around 6.30 pm to give the ‘hammerheads’ time to complete their 160 km rides, but still early enough to feed the starving hordes. Meals are always plentiful, and we’ve had everything from BBQs to gourmet dinners over the years. Inns are frequently chosen because we know we’ll be well fed. After a day’s riding the 3 course meals are always welcome, even after the happy hour where we manage to replenish the stores and swap tales of epic rides.
This year’s route will take us from Johnson State College through East Burke where we’ll be staying at the Inn at Mountain View Farm. After that we have two nights in an old favourite, the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, New Hampshire. Then it’s back to Norwich Vermont, were we’ve managed to find accommodation close to Queechee Gorge for the first time, so we’ll be staying 2 nights at the Norwich Inn which has what looks like a great brewpub, and those that aren’t up for a long ride can easily make it over to this very touristy area of Vermont. For our last night, we’ll be staying at the Capitol Plaza in Montpellier, which leaves us about a 60 km ride back to the college and our cars.
Alison Ingham, Vermont Tour Organizer
More information is available on the Vermont Tours page.
