Now it is 2005, but about 4 or 5 years ago,so about 2000-2001, i took my first trip with VBT/Vermont Bicycle Tours in central Vermont during the first week of October. And the Fall foliage was,for a Californian, absolutely Fantastic !! I wish i could say the same for VBT bicycle tour company.
In my 50s I had bicycled all my life, even to and from High School,embarassing when the car dealers' sons were all driving new free GTOs and other hot cars, plus at 25, 2 friends and I had bicycled up and across Canada one Summer. I was in average American, or average to poor shape by my 50s.
At the first inn, the start of the trip, in Waitsfield,we stayed at a lovely old place with very polite hosts. The trip had 2 leaders ,one old and one young, and the older was unfortunately in charge. The older took us out the first morning for the routine bicycle operation and safety lecture, except he tried to make it only a very corny standup comedy routine and hardly anyone laughed at his tired ,obvious,constant weak jokes. But he made it plain he was the boss. He did not cover such basics as 1) shifting well before the hill and 2)ankling,or not keeping your ankle rigid. Unfortunately the bicycles were of a major manufacture but of the cheap end of the line as far as brakes and gears went and without any shocks in front forks even or at best front and rear. Some of the guests opted for the very thick ,cost extra, padded seat for all the bumpy dirt roads we would be traveling on on our bone shakers !
The younger leader drove the sag or tail or pickup wagon for those that got lost even with the detailed but flawed directions we all had-me included- or those that got too tired each day of the week trip and decided to ride in the van the last few miles-and many did thus. The terrain was gentle rolling hills and usual good shoulder with considerate passing drivers, but on the frequent dirt roads the VBT companies choice in rigid,non-shock bicycle frames proved a very uncomfortable,painful and unnecessarily difficult to operate choice. The handlebar wanted to vibrate out of your hands on such bad bumpy dirt roads! It was only the shockingly vivid colors of the leaves,,,and hopes of a hottub at the end that kept me in good spirits on this expensive adventure-working vacation.
One of the inns that VBT had chosen was a large county club golf course afair and ,unfortunately, we were all made by lack of smiles and welcomes , to feel unwelcome. At least the rooms were clean and well furnished,,,and they had a hot tub!! Why VBT does not advertise or promote or inform you that a wonderful for tired muscles jaccuzi is available some days at some inns is beyond understanding. The food and drinks were good, but again no friendly customer service.
One of the best inns/stays was at the "October Country Inn" in southern Vermont !! A++ gentlemen at the inn !! So friendly and welcoming and the food was definitely the ultimate ,very best cuisine of the trip ! Delicious, we were in such good spirits...and there was a beautiful river and microbrewery across the way...such a wonderful choice by VBT, as if all their chosen inns could be so friendly and high quality. It's near or just south of that famous ski area with a "K".
The younger leader was friendly,confident, capable,patient,much more handsome, ladies, and without the cornball constant jokes, so in my humble opinion, a much better tour leader than the older for boss, but not by VBT.
I would recommend VBT a grade of "C" for the uncomfortable rigid bicycle frames, the boring cornball older leader as boss who did such a lousy safety talk the first day and thought he was god's gift to bicycle tours, and the few unfriendly or tackly trailer-trash furnished inns that VBT for profit over quality chose to put us in. A 1" seat tube schock absorber, such as used by the competition, would not have helped much. For the money you pay, VBT could do a much better job. I flew in and out of the cute college town on the lake to the east with good rental car and flight service. Great job Vermont !!
