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For those into mountain biking, seeing dotted lines on a Vermont Atlas is like seeing a sign for a chicken pie church supper when you're really hungry. Few places in Vermont have more appetizing dotted lines - meaning old abandoned roads to explore - than the hills around Silver Lake State Park in Barnard, long a bikers' Mecca.
One dotted line starts right at the park's doorstep. It begins as an inviting portal into the woods off the old Woodstock-Royalton Turnpike Road, a shady dirt lane with a grassy ridge running down the middle. It's accompanied on either side by two stone fences, the rugged handiwork of hardy farmers. The road soon narrows and dips and becomes challenging, with exposed rocks and ledge, tree roots and eroded washes. It's a skittery descent at times that will force you to put your foot out to stay upright in a test of skill that's both challenging and fun.
The woods are cool and lovely, with towering maples and birch and beech arching over the road. After skirting some deep ruts, the trail finally bottoms out and after a while emerges just above the state park. A right turn takes you up North Road, which turns out to run up a spectacular high plateau looking east over green fields toward 2,400-foot Mt. Hunger and Delectable Mountain. Allow plenty of time to take in the scenery and enjoy the ride.
Silver Lake also attracts road cyclists because there's lots of long rides, even century tours, on lightly traveled paved roads like Rt. 12, the North Road, Rt. 14 and the roads around Woodstock and Pomfret. As if that isn't reason enough to stay here, enjoy a great picnic lunch lakeside in the quiet village of Barnard, one of Vermont's prettiest. The fine country store has a homey diner counter and good deli, home baked breads and cookies, and a window to get creemees. A biker couldn't ask for more.
INFORMATION
Silver Lake has 40 tent/trailer sites and 7 secluded lean-tos, all in shaded forest. There's swimming, a sandy kids' beach and playground, boating and good fishing, and a snack bar on site. Nearby Woodstock offers many attractions such as the Billings Farm & Museum, Vermont Institute of Natural Science Raptor Center, and a national historic park. Open mid-May through Columbus Day, 800-658-1622, summer 802-447-7169, winter 802-483-2001.
Other state parks for biking: Lake Carmi, Lake Elmore, Brighton, Button Bay and D.A.R., Grand Isle and North Hero.
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