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9 Miles Intermediate -- a short Central Vermont ride on back roads
with moderate climbs and descents.
Leave Montpelier, Vermont on Route 12 and travel north for four
miles. After spotting the Wrightsville Reservoir on your right,
start looking for the sign for Rumney School. Shady Rill Road bears
off to the left at Mile 5.2. Drive about two miles on Shady Rill,
climbing the hill, to the Rumney Memorial School. There's parking
at the school or on the road.
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An old caboose along the
way
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This route starts and ends with a screaming downhill! Head east
back down on paved Shady Rill Road to the bottom of the hill and
just after the little white church, carefully turn left across the
bridge. Head on out Macey Road (dirt) which parallels the brook.
After following the brook for a mile or so, you'll begin a short
climb, followed by a much steeper climb. A major snowmobile trail
crosses at the top (Mile 2.3). Climb steadily and you will soon
intersect at Mile 3. Turn left and start down the gentle descent.
(West).
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The Worcester Range up ahead
along North Bear Swamp Road
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West Hill Road is a popular shortcut so watch for traffic as you
head west. There's a nice downhill as you again cross Shady Rill
Brook followed by a moderate climb. At Mile 4 you'll arrive at another
dirt intersection, where if you look left, there's an old local
landmark a caboose once used as a camp but no considerably worse
for wear. Take a sharp right on to Chase Road. (If you need to cut
things short, you can continue down the hill and arrive back at
your car.)
The ride now starts a series of climbs along North Bear Swamp Road
up toward the trailhead to Mount Hunger. This is typical Vermont
back road riding with little car traffic and some challenging climbs.
You'll see the Worcester range up ahead as you start a gentle downhill
run at Mile 4.7.
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Mount Hunger
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There's one last tough ascent ending at a wonderful opening with
great views in all directions. It's a good place to pause and hit
the water bottle. (Mile 5.5)
Bear left (the right is a driveway) and notice the birches lining
the road. Up ahead you will pass the parking lot for the popular
hiking trail to Mount Hunger, which at 3,539 feet is among the highest
peaks in the Worcester Range. The road gets a bit rougher but is
still very passable with a pretty bog area up ahead on the right.
The first steep downhill can be a bit rocky as it runs through
a wooded section, ending in a flat stretch. At Mile 7.1, there will
be an intersection with East Bear Swamp Road. Turn left and you
have nothing but downhill for the rest of the ride. Let the bike
run there are no surprises and as you descend the last steep
drop, watch for traffic and coast back to your car.
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