If you want to head to the mountains for some climbing you can head East up to Middlebury Gap and return. This will give you a climb of a couple thousand feet with an out and back distance of around 30 miles . To extend this ride you can continue up and over Middlebury Gap and cruise down Route 100 to Rochester and then back up and over Brandon Gap which was part of a Killington stage race a few years ago. This gives a total of around 60 miles.
Heading South on Route 7 to 125 the road is heavily traveled but the shoulders are wide.
Once on Route 125 heading East you head through the town of East Middlebury and after crossing the Middlebury River immediately begin to climb up and along the river.
After a moderate 800 foot elevation gain you pass through the town of Ripton having a store available for any needs Continuing to along the river brings you to the Robert Frost Memorial Interpretive Trail and picnic spot. Their is an old fashion water pump where you can refill water bottles with cold crystal clear water.
After passing the summer Breadloaf Campus of the Middlebury College where the Rickert Touring center for cross country skiing is based the real climb begins. Nearing the top you will pass the Middlebury College SnoBowl where three chairlifts provide downhill skiing in the winter. At the top you can enjoy the fast downhill decent back to Middlebury or proceed down the other side to Hancock.
The back side is steep and fast. You can easily reach speeds of 50MPH + if you want. At the base of the steep decent is Texas Falls. This is a lovely picnic spot off the beaten path that has great swimming holes and gorges.
Following the Hancock river will bring you to the end of Route 125 in Hancock where their is a store. A right turn will take you South on Route 100
Route 100 is famous for running the length of Vermont within the Green Mountains. It follows the headwaters of the White River. The traffic mainly consists of site seers. The vistas are extraordinary from a bike in this valley.
Rochester is about the half way point in this extended mountain loop. It is a good place to rehydrate and get a bite to eat. Thier are a couple of restaraunts , stores and see Dune at the Green Mountain bike shop for any repairs. A very short distance out of town you will make a right on Route 73 which leads up and over Brandon Gap.
Route 73 is untraveled and in very good shape. This route was one of the Gap climbs in the old Killington Tour. That Stage race has been replaced by the Green Mountain race which occurs over Labour Day Weekend. See the Appalacian Gap climb which is part of that race now. The climb is a little more mellow and once again the vistas are breathtaking. After the summit of Brandon Gap prepare your self for another steep decent down to the town of Forest Dale. Their is a store and a right turn on route 53. This is a smaller road that weaves around Lake Dunmore where one can take a dip on a hot day. 53 continues to Route 7 and you follow that back North to Middlebury completing the 60 plus mile loop.