VerMontreal Tour: Frequently Asked Questions

What type of terrain (level of difficulty) does the tour cover?

We'll have panoramic views of Vermont's Green Mountains to the east and New York's Adirondacks to the west, but we won't have any mountains to climb. The tour route takes us along the shores of the Lake Champlain Islands in northwestern Vermont. The terrain is very gently rolling with minimal climbing. Once crossing the border into Canada, the terrain remains flat as we ride through farm country, along the Richelieu River and follow the Route Verte (Green Route) in southern Quebec. While the ride does not involve strenuous hill climbing, you will need to plan for (and be fit for) up to 64 miles of riding in a single day.

How many miles do we ride each day?

Our daily mileages vary from 32 to 64 miles.

3-Day Tour

Day 1: 64 miles

Day 2: 38 miles

Day 3: 32 miles

4-Day Tour

Day 1: 64 miles

Day 2: 45 or 64 mile options

Day 3: 60 miles

Day 4: 32 miles

What type of bike is best suited for the tour?

Participants have ridden bikes of many types on the VerMontreal Tour, including road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes. Our route is mostly on paved surfaces, although there are a few unpaved sections. The unpaved sections are suitable for all bike/tire types. It is important that your bike be in good mechanical condition for the tour. If you are not versed in bicycle maintenance, it would be advisable to have your local bike shop give your bike a checkup, and be sure to inflate your tires to the recommended pressure.

Can I rent a bike to use for the tour?

Yes. You can rent a hybrid bicycle from Local Motion to use on the tour. Your rental will await you at the tour start.

• 3-Day Rental: $45
• 4-Day Rental: $60

Bike rentals include a helmet and handlebar bag.

What should I carry with me on the ride?

You will be required to carry your passport on day one of the ride for crossing into Canada and on the bus for the return trip to Vermont. Each rider should also carry at least 1 water bottle that can be topped off at rest stops along the way. Additional items to have with you during the day might include:

• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Cell phone
• Wallet
• Snacks (snack bars available from the SAG wagon)
• Windbreaker, rain jacket and rain pants (depending on weather conditions)
• Ziplock bags for protecting electronics that might get wet if we encounter rain on the ride.

What is a SAG wagon?

SAG stands for Support And Gear.  Our 4-day and 3-day VerMontreal tours each include 2 SAG wagons (vans). Tour staff in the SAG wagons carry water to refill your bottle, snacks, tools, tire pumps, spare tubes, and basic first aid supplies.

Can I catch a ride in the SAG wagon?

Our SAG wagons are equipped to carry bikes and passengers. If you run short of energy during the day’s ride, our SAG wagons can be hailed for a lift. Due to the number of riders on the tour, however, there may be a wait before the van can make its way to your location.

Do we ride in the rain?

Yes. Just remember the adage, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”

In June, expect temperatures in the mid-60’s to upper 70’s, but we have seen days as cool as 50 degrees and as warm as the low 90s. Bring a rain jacket and rain pants as well as additional insulating layers for the chance of cool weather. You will also want to have a waterproof container/bag for items that can’t get wet (cameras, phones, etc.).

What is the Tour de l’Ile?

Each year Velo Quebec sponsors a week-long series of events called The Montreal Bike Fest. The festival culminates with a bicycle tour of the island, the Tour de l’Ile. The final day of our VerMontreal tour coincides with the Tour de l’Ile. After breakfast at our Montreal hotel we ride to the park where the Tour de l’Ile begins and join 30,000 other riders on a 32-mile route along city streets and bike paths. (The Tour de l’Ile route is closed to automobile traffic during the ride.) For more information about the ride, click here to go to Velo Quebec’s web site.

Your VerMontreal registration fee includes entry in the Tour de l’Ile and a VIP bib that allows us to start at the head of the procession.

How do riders and bikes get back to Vermont at the conclusion of the tour?

On Sunday afternoon our chartered coaches arrive at our Montreal hotel following the conclusion of the Tour de L’Ile. Our bikes are loaded in separate trailers and we make the journey together back to the tour start at the Snow Farm Winery in South Hero, Vermont, arriving between 5:30 and 7:00 pm Sunday evening (traffic leaving from Montreal and the wait at the Border can be unpredictable).

If I’m planning to arrive by plane, where is the nearest airport?

Burlington International Airport in Burlington, Vermont is the nearest airport – about 23 miles from the tour start. If you plan to arrive by plane, call us and we can help you sort out the options for transportation from the airport.

Where can I leave my car while on the VerMontreal Tour?

The owners of the Snow Farm winery (our start and end location for the tour) have graciously set aside an area for free parking available to VerMontreal tour participants.

How do I become eligible for the drawing to win a free trip?

• Register for your chosen (3- or 4-day) tour.
• Refer a friend who's never been on VerMontreal before.
• When that friend registers, you'll both receive an entry into the drawing.
• Repeat. (That's right; you can refer as many friends as you like. For each additional friend who registers, you'll receive another entry into the drawing. All of your friends will be entered, too -- and they can increase their own chances of winning by referring additional friends).

The fine print:

• Your friend(s) must not have taken a VerMontreal tour before (it's okay if you have).
• Your friend(s) must indicate who referred them on their registration form, at the time they register.
• Referrals must be unique. Two people cannot refer the same person. (Look on the bright side: you get to duke it out. Dance-off, anyone?)
• We'll give away one 3-day trip, and one 4-day trip. Winners receive the trip for which they've already registered.
• We'll announce the winners the day your trip departs.