By Ralph Kucharek
We live in a bounty of biking options. The Burlington area boasts bike path and trail networks that can bring you quite literally across Lake Champlain and on top of mountain ridges, all within thirty minutes of each other. Luckily, bikes have never gone out of style as a tried and true way to experience our local surroundings and our community is playing to its strengths. It has never been easier to navigate the City of Burlington thanks to planBTV and navigation applications like Strava and Trail Finder are making it much easier to find your next favorite route in Chittenden County. Whether you’re a complete beginner or part of the million miles pedaled club, we’ve got some options below to help with your next ride.
BIKE RENTALS
NORTH STAR SPORTS – A longtime Burlington resident and store located on Main Street, North Star Sports is your one-stop shop for rental packages, which include: a helmet, repair kit for flat tires, lock, headlights and taillights for night rides, and even a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
LOCAL MOTION – Located in the heart of Burlington’s waterfront park, Local Motion offers bike rentals for adults and kids and E-Bike options as well. Start at their trailside center and cruise north on the Island Line Trail, which eventually crosses over the Colchester Causeway between Malletts Bay and the broad lake. Make sure to bring a backpack with some water and snacks if you decide to go the full distance.
SKI RACK - Since 1969 Skirack's bike shop has been the place to go for all things cycling. We’ll listen to all your needs, wants and wishes, and help find you the perfect ride, fit professionally, at the perfect price.
OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE - A local favorite, OGE can be found on the Church Street Marketplace and offers an array of products and services. Start from Burlington’s pedestrian walkway and explore the North or South End.
HOTELS WITH BIKE RENTALS
HOTEL VERMONT - For hotel guests only, Hotel Vermont offers complimentary bike rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis for up to two hours of ride time. Thanks to their fleet of Budnitz Bicycles, you can experience Burlington in comfort and style.
HILTON BURLINGTON LAKE CHAMPLAIN - Situated along the Burlington Waterfront, the Hilton Burlington also offers bike rentals for their guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fortunately, the Burlington Bike Path is a short roll out of the hotels front door and whether you are on a long ride or a leisurely sunset cruise, they will set you up with all the gear you will need.
HILTON GARDEN INN - Parked between the Church Street Marketplace and the waterfront, and directly across from City Hall Park, the Hilton Garden Inn offers bike rentals to guests for just $10 per hour.
THE ESSEX - Vermont’s culinary resort and spa rents bikes to guests. It is also adjacent to the Essex bike path and nearby to the Saxon Hill trails for a detour through the woods!
BIKE ROUTES, TRAILS, & RESOURCES
Local Motion Maps & Routes - Check out their comprehensive list of maps and routes here.
Trail Finder – One of our favorite resources to find local trail networks throughout Burlington and beyond. Check out this map for more.
Burlington Bike Path – Starting at Oakledge Park and ending at the mouth of the Winooski River, the Burlington Bike path is a 7.6-mile route that will not disappoint. We recommend early mornings for reduced crowds
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Mountain Biking at Bolton Valley — For those looking to experience biking at a different pace, check out Bolton Valley Resorts options for mountain bike rentals. Bolton offer’s lift-service, top-to-bottom trails along with uphill travel routes geared towards beginners to experts. If you’re looking for world-class terrain, look no further than the thirty-minute drive to Bolton.
OLD SPOKES HOME
Old Spokes Home: A local non-profit that makes, fixes, and refurbishes old bicycles with the goal of making bikes affordable so people can get to their jobs efficiently and conveniently. Old Spokes home is a staple in the Burlington community and here to help with all of your biking issues.
“At Old Spokes Home, you can always expect friendly and inclusive service regardless of age, race, identity, ability, or level of bike experience. We believe that anyone interested should have access to a bicycle and bicycle knowledge.”
We hope this short guide makes your next biking adventure easier and you find fresh, perspective on recreating in Vermont. Make sure to wear a helmet, ride within your abilities, and watch out for traffic.
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