Vermont Cycling Trails
I could almost hear train whistles, even though the tracks were gone. I’d just left the northern border town of Richford, Vermont, heading west on a one-time branch of the Central Vermont Railway. Freight trains once hauled milk and feed along this route–but now the old right-of-way has been reborn as the Missisquoi Valley Rail […]
By William Scheller|Apr 18 2011|
Cyclists Tei Schneider (at left) and Cecil Fink roll across the historic iron railroad bridge spanning the Missisquoi River in Sheldon Junction, Vermont.
Credit: Hendrickson, CoreyI could almost hear train whistles, even though the tracks were gone.
I’d just left the northern border town of Richford, Vermont, heading west on a one-time branch of the Central Vermont Railway. Freight trains once hauled milk and feed along this route–but now the old right-of-way has been reborn as the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, a bucolic corridor for walkers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and cyclists like me. I was bound for St. Albans, more than 26 miles distant, traversing farm and forest along the scenic valley of the Missisquoi River.
The Missisquoi is one of more than 140 rail trails in New England, and currently the longest single rail trail in Vermont. As branch lines were abandoned, recreation enthusiasts got together with regional authorities and gave these corridors a second life. According to Tom Sexton, North
My wife and I have logged a lot of miles on the rail trials and love them. We just rode from Sheldon Junction to Swanton for the 1st time and it was wonderful except for the 2 ATVs and a dirt bike we encountered on separate parts of the trail. The ATVs were around Highgate and the dirt bike was closer to Sheldon Junction. One ATV can really dangerously fast and close to 4 senior citizens, including myself. One occasion was at the sign stating no ATV or other motorized vehicles. I don’t know what the answer is, but just letting you know that section of trail is going to have a serious injury.