Now that the riding season is finally here for real, it's time to start doing some real riding. But, where to go? Will your favorite road be a torn up pile of scarified pavement and orange construction cones? How about speed traps? Is that diner over there edible or not? While too much research can spoil the adventure, here are some Internet sites that you may want to visit before heading out.
The first is the Vermont Travel Information Service web site (www.511vt.com/splash.htm). This State run site provides information on road closures, delays due to construction, traffic and other road related issues like a major event.
The site incorporates a Google map with specialize icons that mark each type of traffic problem or issue. When you click on an icon, a pop-up box appears that provides the specifics of the issue at that location.
The site locates road cams throughout the state. When you click a road cam icon, a snapshot of that location is displayed.
When riding, I prefer to avoid the Interstates, but sometimes they are a necessity. The Road Geek site (www.roadgeek.org/vtroads/) has comprehensive information on mileage between exits and the location of rest areas and welcome centers.
If you're into back roads, Road Geek also has comprehensive information on State and US routes and Named roads. Road Geeks road charts includes all road numbers, distances, local names, comments and bits of local lore (do you know the shortest numbered route in the US?). For limited access US routes, Road Geek also provides exit distances and welcome center info.
The Speed Trap.org site (www.speedtrap.org/speed-traps/show/Vermont), run by the National Motorists Association, includes information that will save you time and money. In addition to locating speed traps - complete with descriptions and Google maps -- this site includes links to information on how to fight a speeding ticket in court. The site is constantly being updated and improved and users can enter additions to the speed trap database.
For food, lodging, events, attractions and shopping information, visit the State run Vermont Vacation site (www.VermontVacation.com). While this site does not include ratings, it does have information that is updated regularly by the business owners. In addition, you can plan an itinerary of stops, map individual business locations or map all of the items on your itinerary.
And finally, don't forget our favorite Internet resource for motorcycling in Vermont: Motorcycle-Vermont.com. This year we are planning on expanding our coverage of Vermont motorcycle resources including comprehensive event, road and services information. If you know of a good restaurant, motel, route or other information that we should write about or add to our listings, please drop us a line at admin@motorcycle-vermont.com.
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