"What did I just go through?” were the final words I blurted out while crossing mile 376 to complete the South Lobe of the Vermont Super 8 route. It was 2 days, 14 hours, and 44 minutes since I had left Montpellier, VT to embark on my first self-supported ultra bikepacking challenge. Man, did I pick a doozy.
Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library - Vital Communities
The Upper Valley E-Bike Lending Library:
Many of us enjoy and celebrate big climbs, but we also have friends and relatives whose idea of a nice bike ride is much less strenuous. The regional rail trails offer options to get folks out on bikes who might be reluctant to ride in hilly terrain or in traffic.
The Northern Rail Trail and Mascoma River Greenway in Lebanon:
Friends of the Northern Rail Trail
The Cross Vermont Trail
Many cyclists use standing -- pedaling up out of the saddle -- only for hard efforts such as sprinting or steep grades. It's stand, thrash, sit. Learning to stand while relaxed is a great addition to a rider's skillset. It engages different muscles than pedaling seated, making it a nice way to give those seated muscles a rest or a stretch. It's useful on long climbs. Being comfortable transitioning smoothly between sitting and standing is also helpful on rolling terrain or on rough ground where maintaining momentum is important.
If you’ve ever biked through New England, you don’t have to go too far to find a warning sign for an upcoming unmaintained road. You’ll hear it called Class IV, Class VI, sometimes Pavé, but regardless of the term, you better get ready… you’ve been warned.
"Why are there no bike lanes connecting the hospital on rt 120? Why are there no bike lanes connecting west leb and hanover on 10? Why do we have so many traffic lights when roundabouts would be faster and less prone to mega traffic jams? What are we doing about these things?"
Thank you for raising concerns about bike access and traffic flow. The City of Lebanon continues to work on safer, more connected travel options. Here's an overview of current efforts and challenges.
Walk Bike Ride Leb | Lebanon, NH
https://lebanonnh.gov/1526/Walk-Bike-Ride-Leb
Walk, Bike, Ride Leb is a plan for a safe, comfortable, and connected walking and bicycling network in the City of Lebanon, including connections to public transportation.
Lower gearing can make climbing hills easier and more enjoyable, allowing riders to maintain a comfortable cadence and avoid unnecessary suffering. It is a practical solution for riders who struggle with steep climbs, regardless of their fitness level or the type of bike they ride. While there may be some trade-offs, such as larger gear steps or a lower top gear, the benefits of lower gearing far outweigh the drawbacks.