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Signs Of Spring Vermont Bikers Have Big Plans

photo by provided Sharing her love of cycling, long distance riding has become a family event for Linda Sweeney. Sweeney is excitedly planning the routes for this season and counting down to biking weather!

photo by provided Riding hundreds of miles a year, Sean Nary likes not only the physical part of the journey, but savors the scenery and the beauty of this state and New England.

photo by provided

photo by provided

Tuesday March 29, 2016

By Cookie Steponaitis

While most Vermonters look to March for the sweet smell of maple syrup and the arrival of gardening books and seed catalogs, another group is hard at work with a map and a plan. Thousands of Vermonters have caught the cycling bug and represent those who take pleasure rides that involve very long distances. Cycling is more than a past time for Vermonters; it is big business and makes Vermont a destination for bikers of all ages and ranges of experience.
    New Haven resident Linda Sweeney is one of the cyclists who are busy planning her routes for 2016. Sweeney became interested in long distance riding at the end of her first year of serious cycling. Sweeney enjoyed the freedom of riding and started by riding from her home to her children and grandchildren’s. Sweeney rode 100 miles in a Century Ride and by the end of it was hooked.
    Sweeney sets her goals high each season and begins with shorter distance trips and ends the season with a weekend ride to Craftsbury. Starting out she had a goal of 3000 miles and was very nervous about accidents and riding on the roads. Sweeny is getting ready for this season and plans on about 2500 miles of riding and other competitions and marathons. When asked to share some of the challenges and joys, Sweeney shared, "I would say some of the challenges are traffic road conditions. Sometimes time can also be a challenge, such as it gets dark early at night or in order to get like 100 miles you need a day.  Also the weather conditions. I have been caught in bad weather.  I also gotten run off the road one time by a motorist who wouldn't move over for me so I had to go over, I landed in the ditch and I was 80 miles from home. I am very lucky because I only had minor scrapes and bruises and it scared me a lot but that is what made me stronger. I knew I had to be strong and dig deep within to get back on the bike and I did.  I remember making a post about how strong that I felt when I got the courage to get back on. The fun is in the challenge of the hills and the mountains and this beautiful environment we live in. I mean it's never the same ride. I can't even tell you how many times I stop and take pictures because it's beautiful.  We live in a beautiful countryside and it's perfect for riding. I've met some fabulous people. My bike has taking me to places that I never knew I could go and beyond."
    Fellow cyclist Sean Nary is also making plans. Nary first started to ride long distance after college and not only loves to ride but also finds it amazing how fast the miles roll by. His annual goal is riding a 100 mile ride at least once a season. Nary usually logs about 800 miles a season and for Nary, making time is key for riding. “It is one of those things you never regret while you are out and after you are done but getting started can be an issue like with any other exercise," explained Nary. "The fun comes with all you see which is so much more than when you ride in a car or even on a motorcycle. I love the fact you can actually get somewhere, something I did not feel when I tried running which didn't last very long. I also love the feel of being on two wheels. I think there is something to balancing yourself and feeling the breeze as you ride." Accompanied by his boys, Nary has crossed Vermont both east to west and north to south and making great memories and still talking about the trips during the winter months. Nary explained with a grin, “that while I once did a 260 three day ride I am currently toying with the idea of biking to Maryland to see a friend and there would have to be plenty of ice cream shops along the way to serve malted  milkshakes to keep me going.”
    Both Sweeney and Nary suggest that you start small and the Champlain Valley is a wonderful place to ride with rural roads, amazing scenery, light traffic and flatter terrain for easier riding. “You don't need to spend a bundle either,” cautioned Nary. “My bike is an old steel frame rig that cost $75 used and has lasted me twelve years so far. I put a set of aerobars on it, clip-in pedals and changed the brakes out on it but it has been great.” You don't have to race or even have company although it helps to enjoy long bicycle rides in the beautiful state of Vermont.”  Sweeney added, “Take your time and don’t rush. I learned a lesson very early in my rides. I headed out for a thirty mile ride and it was hot and I forgot my water bottle and I was coming home and I got really tired and I was coming up this tiny little hill and I thought oh I need to unclip because I'm not sure I can make it. Then I thought I'll just wait till I get to the top of this hill and then I'll take a break. Well instead I got tired and when I did I couldn't unclip because I just couldn't do it fast enough so I fell. So that day I learn take my time, bring water and food, you have to have energy, make sure if you're tired unclip take a break there's no need to rush it when you're first starting take your time.”
    So as you garden enthusiasts are seed dreaming and your maple connoisseurs are licking your lips in preparation for sweetness to come, remember that there is another group of Vermonters in the planning stages of seasons ahead. While Sweeney admits she would ultimately love to go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and knows it is a pipe dream, she also believes that all realities start with small dreams and the impetus to see them through. As bike season begins in earnest in a few weeks think of where you want to go and start small but get in motion to be a part of all that makes the Champlain Valley a wonderful a place to live.

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