Past Adventures
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The Barre Bombers is Vermont Bicycle Shop's very own adventure and hijinx team. We've always got something in the planning stages. Take a look at some of the past adventures by our crew.
The Vermont Bicycle Shop Osmore Pond Overnight Adventure was a great success!
We rode 21 miles from Barre, VT to Groton State Forest and camped overnight. We returned the same route the next day.
Here is a link to the Google Maps route:
https://goo.gl/ySnOlo
If you are a Strava user you can find the route here:
https://www.strava.com/routes/6053400
Here are some photos from our trip:
https://www.facebook.com/events/806745882801465/
You can also find more photos scrolling through our Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/vermontbicycleshop/
Thank you to everyone who came out!
We've left the original posts regarding the trip on the site here for people to use as a future reference for bike packing and to plan their own overnight adventure to Groton State Forest! See the original information below:
There will be a pre-ride meeting August 26th at 6pm. If there are still spots available this will be the last chance to sign up. At the pre-ride meeting we will go over the supplies list, have a few tutorials about the challenges we might experience on the ride including a flat repair clinic. We'll update the calendar with more info.
For the ride we will be meeting at Vermont Bicycle Shop We’ll meet at Vermont Bicycle Shop Sunday, September 4th at 1:30 pm. With the hopes of departing around 2 and no later than 3pm.
We will ride some pavement and gravel from Barre over to Plainfield. In Plainfield we will ride a mix of tame single-track and railroad bed up through Marshfield and then up to the New Discovery Campgrounds where we’ve reserved a remote camping site.
We’ll camp overnight and the next day we might explore some trails or play in the lake and decide as a group when to ride back to Barre via the same route.
Riders are expected to be moderately experienced. An off road worthy road/cyclecross bike or mountain bike in good working order is required. Helmets are required.
Bring your own camping gear, food and other things necessary for an overnight camping trip. We’ll have some car support for the first part of the route and car transport for food and heavier items, though riders are encouraged to carry their gear with them. Rider’s are required to follow all laws of the road, all rules, laws and regulations for camping in Vermont. All riders are expected to practice good stewardship both in cycling and camping.
Here is a great website about overnight bike trips:
http://www.bikeovernights.org
They have a great simple gear check list here:
http://www.bikeovernights.org/page/gear-lists
We’ve also come up with a list of things to help you prepare. Some things on this list are not necessary, some things are required. Familiarize yourself with the advice on the above website, this list, and bring things that are required and things you are comfortable carrying with you on a bike. We will also have some limited room in the support vehicle to carry supplies as well.
Some Equipment that would be a good idea to have:
Handlebar bag or
Cargo rack to use with
Trunk bag or
Panniers or
Off Road Appropriate Trailer
Required Items:
Helmet
Headlight
Taillight (with blinking option)
Water bottle or some sort of hydration pack
2 Extra tubes
Saddle (underseat) bag some other way to carry things
Medical info/emergency contact card
Really Good Idea to Bring Items:
Straps/bungee cords
Patch Kit
Frame Pump or CO2 Pump and extra cartridges
Tire levers
Cycling multi-tool or small, light weight tools to help fix your bike.
Leatherman type multi tool
First-aid items
Extra Derailleur Hanger
Vermont Bicycle Shop will bring two card games, Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity. Feel free to bring something equally fun!
No one is gonna laugh at you, these aren’t a bad idea either:
Eye protection (sunglasses or clear lenses)
Pressure gauge
Assorted nuts and bolts
Spare tire
Chain tool
Chain quicklinks
Chain Lube
Small roll of duct tape to use as a tire boot
If you want to get nerdy about it:
Spare Brake and derailleur cables and housing
Spare cleats
Visibility vest
Chamois cream
Maps
Camping Gear:
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Tent with waterproof bottom or a tarp or some form of camping shelter
Basic Clothing
Extra jersey and extra shorts
Bring two extra pairs of socks
Bandana or hat or other form of sweat and sun protection
Speaking of weather:
Lightweight, rainwear/windbreaker
Some sort of long sleeve base layer/under armor to layer up in case of cold weather
Full-fingered gloves
Arm/leg warmers
Stuff you are going to need:
Toilet paper/tissue
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Insect repellent
Small, quick-dry towel for cleanups
Meals/snacks
Matches/lighter
Ride Cue Sheet, Vermont Bicycle Shop will provide this
Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
After ride clothing, swimwear if you want to jump in the lake
Camera
Cell phone
ziplock bag for waterproofing items
Cash/credit card/ID (for emergencies)