After a week of rain in southeastern Vermont, the sun broke through for us eight cyclists!

Our 45-mile ride started in the village of Guilford. Despite a flat tire right out of the gate, just three miles in, we all got our cadence and reeled through a beautiful New England landscape of fields and streams and sprawling farms with early-season wisps of greenery poking up through sprawling fields.

Soon, a steady climb followed Broad Brook for several miles. Once we crossed into Massachusetts, all were rewarded with a long downhill on which some broke 48 mph. This was typical of the route: with ample downhills and long level stretches, it gave much more than it took. Then it was into Bernardston, home of the big hard red cock! Without shame, it let us climb all over it.

We continued on, following rural backroads past family farms, early cornfields, dairy cows, and horses. Our pace was challenging but not intimidating; group cohesion came easily on long stretches where all we could hear was the hum of rubber on tar. Our last few miles traced a woodland brook on a well-kept unpaved road, then we circled back to the Blueberry Haus in Guilford for a required ice cream stop. All in all, a great and challenging GO event with great company and enthusiasm.

All gathered afterward at Scott and Dave’s Frog Meadow Farm for a well-earned potluck social mixer, drinks, a hot-tub soak, and great conversation and laughs...a splendid time was had by all!

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