It can take a lifetime to learn the best places to ride - or you
can tour with Jason and Tracy Cummings of Lonesome Roads Motorcycle
Adventures and learn from them. The Hinesburg couple started a
motorcycle touring business this fall to share their passion for
riding and their love for Vermont.
The couple offers a variety of custom Vermont, New England and
Adirondack motorcycle tours ranging from multi-day dual-sport
camping trips to leisurely cruises. She rides a BMW F650GS and he
rides a 2009 Harley Street Bob and Kawasaki KLR 650. "For us it's
about the adventure," Tracy said.
Tracy grew up in Dorset Vermont. Jason grew up in Bennington.
They met in a motorcycle safety class 10 years ago and have been
riding together ever since.
Lonesome Roads Motorcycle Adventures grew out of a desire to
share something they care about deeply. "We're just very passionate
about Vermont and motorcycling. We want to share that with others,"
Tracy said. The couple started giving tours for their friends and
leading group motorcycle rides. Starting a touring company seemed a
natural next step.
Preparation for a tour begins long before the customer arrives.
"We talk with them beforehand to find out what they want to see and
tailor the ride to that," Jason said.
There is no typical ride. "We're less destination oriented. It's
about the ride and the feel," Jason said. "We have our routes, but
we're always adjusting them to fit the group."
A group might do a leisurely tour of covered bridges with lunch
at the Miss Lyndonville Diner or it could be a backcountry
dual-sport camping trip. In every case, they strive to find small,
local places that give riders a feel of discovery. "They are the
types of places where people will talk with you - so you can get to
know the place. The real Vermont," said Tracy.
The pair is organized and enthusiastic. She has a background in
managing travel arrangements for Burton Snowboards and handles
pre-ride logistics such as hotel and dinner reservations. He has a
calm, can-do attitude that comes from a career in fire fighting.
Both are trained in CPR and he is an EMT. Together, they make
customers feel safe and properly cared-for.
Lonesome Roads runs Vermont tours from May through late-October,
depending on weather. Individual riders, couples, and small to
medium sized groups are welcome. Larger groups can be accommodated
with additional guides. Per person rates vary depending on the size
of the group and length of the tour.
Lonesome Roads can provide ground transportation for riders who
fly or drive to Vermont and have discounted rates with local
motorcycle rental operations. Riders can rent motorcycles
through Moto
Vermont, Green Mountain Harley Davidson or Wilkins
Harley Davidson.
Unique Tours for summer 2012
Ladies Only Weekend
Next June 9 - 11, Tracy is leading a Ladies Only Weekend of riding
in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The tour will use a cabin on the
quiet western short of Lake Willoughby as a base. The daily agenda
will include riding, relaxing and bonding with other women. "I
think women are more adventurous when it's just women together,"
Tracy said. "We'll figure it out as a team." Jason will do the
cooking and the cleaning up.
Winter-Spring in the Arizona Sonoran
Dessert
For Vermonters looking to escape to warm weather during the
winter, Lonesome Roads runs tours of the Sonoran Desert region in
Arizona. The Cummings discovered the area after Jason's parents
moved there. They can arrange for rentals, lodging and logistical
support. "We really want things to be a complete turn-key
operation," Jason said.
Dual Sport Camping
For riders who want real adventure -- with a bit of comfort
-- a weekend of dual-sport camping and riding with Lonesome
Roads is ideal. Riders carry their basic camping gear and a
Lonesome Roads support vehicle carries a cooking tent, Dutch oven,
solar shower and other supplies that provide creature comforts. By
camping, the group can reach remote areas that would be difficult
or impossible to reach in a single day ride.
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