Burlington, Vermont and its Bikeway - 2000

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University of Vermont

Congregational Church

Church Street is pedestrian-only for about three blocks, lined with shops and restaurants and sidewalk cafes. The crowd is mixed; a lot of college students, but a fair number of middle-aged folks and seniors and, of course, tourists. There are mainstream retailers among the specialty shops.

North Beach Campground was one of the best campgrounds I visited. It's run by the city of Burlington, and overlooks Lake Champlain. A path leads directly to the beach and connects with Burlington's bike path. It's a no-hills, no-traffic 2.5 mile cruise to downtown.

North Beach Campground has a good beach, with shallows going 'way out.

Winooski River, north of Burlington

Burlington's bike path reaches about 14 miles along former Rutland Railroad right of way, including the causeway across Mallett's Bay. The path is well maintained and well utilized.

In 2000, trail users crossed the Winooski River via bike ferry ($1.00). In 2004, a new bridge closed this gap in the trail.

Lake Champlain beach north of the Winooski River

The causeway across Mallett's Bay, built at the beginning of the 20th century by the Rutland and Canada Railroad, was in use until 1960. It was built by Italian laborers with huge marble blocks, some measuring six feet on a side.

A gap about three miles out on the causeway remains to be closed by a bike ferry; demonstration ferries have operated on selected weekends as recently as August 2007. Trail promoters hope eventually to open the trail all the way to Canada.
The black road bike is mine; despite the advice of the "experts" it is possible to ride skinny tires on gravel. You just have to pay attention.

The sailboarder was really moving until he came into a dead spot in the lee of the causeway.

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