Biking around the ski town of Stowe, Vermont
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 07:53 PM
I love the long daylight hours that we enjoy at this time of year. However, because of this light, I woke up way too early on this Sunday morning. I peer out the window and what do I see? Snowflakes are blowing around in the stiff breeze.
We surely are enjoying highs and lows when it comes to spring weather lately!
Luckily, I knew the forecast for this weekend wasn't looking good so on Friday afternoon I headed out to Stowe, Vt., for a bike ride. The sun was shining and I needed to be in it.
I enjoy both the recreation path and the rather quiet backroads that Stowe has to offer. And on a weekday there are few people to say "passing on the left" on the path!
The tulips and trees were flowering in Stowe, but I noticed that the lilacs hadn't popped yet up in the hills above town. I grabbed a coffee and low-fat scone at Harvest Market (on the Mountain Road) and enjoyed it by the river on the recreation path, prior to heading out for my bike loop. I'm still at a loss when it comes to a coffee hangout in Stowe, ever since the Stowe Coffeehouse closed. If anyone has a suggestion, please share!
When it comes to skiing and biking, loops rock. I started at the end of the recreation path, went up Edson Hill Road (yup, the steep, nasty hill near Wiessner Woods) and enjoyed a classic view of Mt. Mansfield's ski runs. I just saw a few pockets of snow remaining at the top of this side of the mountain.
Then I did the ups and downs on the dirt road before enjoying a long, rather chilly downhill on Weeks Hill Road and the twists and turns back on the recreation path. I love how the path follows the contours of the river in most places, and crosses it about 11 times.
I posted a map of this 10-mile biking loop here.
I just snapped a couple of photos. I look forward to many more bike rides this summer — in the woods and on the paths and dirt roads of Vermont.
Filed in: Food, coffee & après ski, Ski towns in summer, Stowe
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1. Chris | Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Another good ride is Rec Path to Luce Hill to Barrows to Moscow Rd. to RiverRd. to Stowe and back to Rec Path.
The building across from the Community Church and Stowe Hardware had a sign up for Black Cap Coffee House. There was a sign in the window that said opening soon, but it was taken down last week. So I don't know if that is still in the works. I used to enjoy riding my bike to the old Stowe Coffee House. Now I sometimes drive to Trapps or bike to Jamie's on Main. But they aren't as good as the Coffee House was so I too hope someone opens something soon.
2. Skimaven | Friday, May 14, 2010 at 08:09 PM
Hey Chris: Thanks for the info on the search for coffee. I hope someone picks up the ball again.
That loop does sound nice--thanks for that. I'd do it on a quiet weekday to avoid as many cars as possible.
3. Chris | Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Black Cap Coffee House in Stowe is back on! Should be opening soon. Across street from Community Church and Hardware Store.
4. Skimaven | Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 07:43 PM
Yippee! I look forward to checking it out on one of my "Stowe days."
5. Lew Lasher | Monday, October 4, 2010 at 05:51 PM
Black Cap Coffee did in fact open this summer. I'm not a big coffee user, but I have a friend from Massachusetts who loves the place and goes there every time he is in Stowe.
Here is a link to a news article from the Stowe Reporter from when Black Cap Coffee opened:
http://www.stowetoday.com/stowe_reporter/news/business_news/article_b27772a2-9018-11df-b0[..]
6. Skimaven | Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at 04:33 PM
Hey Lew! Yes, I've stopped in a couple of times and was pleased to have a choice of coffee, baked goods and outside or inside seating. Last time my maple latte was rather warm instead of hot, but I think with time the young staff will nail things down.
Try this URL for the article:
http://shar.es/0dLlE