Family Cargo Bike Adventure in the Lamoille Valley

We traveled to Vermont in early August, seeking family time in the Green Mountains and respite from the heat. We were eager to explore the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. Unfortunately, the state of Vermont has had significant rain and flooding this summer, and the Lamoille Valley, and the rail trail itself, were hit hard. You can learn more about and donate to the flood recovery here.

Cycling in the Power House Covered Bridge in Johnson, VT

We caught a break in the weather and confirmed with Jim at Lamoille Valley Bike Tours that there was suitable riding in the area, though mostly not on the trail itself. We were grateful for a mostly dry day exploring the backroads, criss-crossing the Long Trail a couple of times, and exploring the small towns that dot the valley. We also enjoyed a few miles on a segment of the rail trail that remained open. (Note: As of late August 2023, about half of the trail has re-opened. You can learn more here.)

Lamoille Valley Bike Tours specializes in renting out ebikes to help visitors see as much of the region as they can, and they offer some family cargo bikes. Note that the tours are all self-guided, which worked great for us. Jim provided a backroads route that we were able to easily follow via Google Maps.  

Taking in the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in Johnson, VT

We rented a Benno Boost with a Yepp seat on the back, and an IZIP Vida. The Benno Boost rode very similarly to our Tern, and had the same Bosch motor that seems to guarantee a great ride. The IZIP worked great for the day, but personally we wouldn't purchase it for ourselves due to the limited suspension and zip. (It seems like it may be out of production at this time anyway. You can check out IZIP's ebike offerings here.

We explored a covered bridge; gorgeous vistas of farmland, the Green Mountains, and the rural valley; stopped for a well-timed SAG stop in the rain; and took a suspension bridge over the Lamoille River (by foot, not bike! Whew). Though we were on roads and not the trail for most of the ride, traffic was light and we felt comfortable throughout. The route provided also took us along a few miles of the rail trail. We loved riding the crushed gravel path through the Vermont countryside. We hope to return to bike-pack the trail when it reopens.

All in all, a great family adventure. Where have you traveled with your family to ride? We're always looking for a new destination.