Vermont's back roads offer some of the most appealing biking in the Northeast. Even Route 100 -- the main north-south thoroughfare up the middle of the state -- is inviting along many stretches, especially from Killington to Sugarbush. While steep hills on some back roads can be excruciating for those who've spent too much time behind a desk, close scrutiny of a map should reveal routes that follow rivers and offer less grueling pedaling.
Vermont also lends itself to superb mountain biking. Abandoned county and town roads offer superior backcountry cruising. Most Green Mountain National Forest trails are also open to mountain bikers (but not the Appalachian or Long trails). Mountain bikes are prohibited on state-park and state-forest hiking trails, but they are allowed on gravel roads. Mount Snow and Jay Peak ski areas, among others, bring you and your bike to blustery ridges via lift or gondola, allowing you to work with gravity on your way down. The Craftsbury Outdoor Center (tel. 800/729-7751 or 802/586-7767) is your best bet if you're looking for back-road cruising through farmland rather than forest.
Organized inn-to-inn bike tours are a great way to see the countryside by day while relaxing in relative luxury at night. Tours are typically self-guided, with luggage transferred for you each day by vehicle. Try Vermont Bicycle Touring (tel. 800/245-3868; www.vbt.com) or Bike Vermont (tel. 800/257-2226; www.bikevermont.com).
