Day 42: Ticonderoga to Fairlee VT

One of the best rides of the entire trip! After a short ferry ride across Lake Champlain we began our 90 mile journey across the beautiful state of Vermont.  Although the fall foliage is not yet at peak, the mountain sides were still alive with color and everything looked the way Vermont is supposed to look.  The weather cooperated with cool temperatures and partly sunny skys - and of course, our ever present headwind. The big morning climb over the Green Mountains was definitely challenging, with grades up to 15% over the 5.5 mile ascent. Throughout the morning I tried to stay "in the moment" to absorb everything around me knowing that this is a ride I will always remember.

After lunch, the scenery continued to be lovely, but heavy "leaf peeper" traffic and rough roads made it difficult to enjoy. We had another big climb in the afternoon followed by some smaller "bumps" which in combination really sapped my energy over the final 10 miles.  

We are staying at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee which is right at the border of Vermont and New Hampshire.  My room looks our over Lake Morey with mountains in the distance.  Too bad I won't be here long enough to enjoy it.

Tomorrow is another day of climbing as we make our way across New Hampshire. Although the ride is only 78 miles there are 3 large climbs which, we are told, make it nearly as challenging as today's ride. We are also assured of encountering heavy Sunday "leaf peeper" traffic on the famous Kancamagus Highway. So my guess is that the morning will be delightful, but the afternoon will be much less enjoyable.  Hopefully we can get an early start so that we arrive in North Conway by early afternoon.

Steve