By Jerry Skurla

On Saturday, July 13th at 10 AM in St. Johnsbury, Vermont seven enthusiastic riders joined leader Jerry Skurla for an unforgettable bikepacking adventure. Among them were three returning Bikepacking 101 riders and four first timers at 19, 26, 71 and 80 years young!

Day 1: St. Johnsbury to Ricker Pond State Park

The first day’s ride covered 37 miles and 3,000 vertical feet, featuring challenging dirt road climbs, breathtaking hilltop views, and a picturesque long covered bridge built in 1927.

The adventurous route was both fun and challenging, especially navigating numerous large puddles on the Cross Vermont Trail formed by two heavy downpours that narrowly missed the crew. As the day progressed, the team arrived at Ricker Pond State Park in Groton, VT, where they set up camp.

The serene environment provided an opportunity for several riders to enjoy refreshing swims in the “water temp is perfect” mountain pond.

Dinner was a delightful affair, with everyone swapping stories of past adventures while preparing meals on a variety of stoves, from old-school white gas to the latest tech propane canisters and ultralight alcohol-fueled backpacking stoves.

Day 2: Ricker Pond to St. Johnsbury

After breaking camp, the group pedaled 9 miles up the Cross Vermont Trail to the Marshfield General Store for a hearty breakfast.

Energized and ready for the day, they headed towards Cabot, VT, home of the famous Cabot Cheese Company. The main challenge of the day was the climb out of Cabot to the historic Bayley-Hazen Road, which rewarded them with wide-open views of Camel’s Hump and the Green Mountains.

The ride continued with several miles of sweeping gravel roads leading towards Joe’s Pond, where the group took a break to refresh their water bottles and regroup in Danville. The adventure concluded with a cool, wooded 15-mile glide down the Lamoine rail trail, bringing them back to St. Johnsbury.

Overall the weekend was a resounding success, filled with camaraderie, breathtaking scenery, and memorable experiences. For the first timers, it marked the beginning of what promises to be many more bikepacking adventures!

If you are interested in bikepacking with CRW feel free to email Jerry Skurla at jskurla@comcast.net.