Pelican Centennial Ride

Putney, Vermont to Loomis Chaffee

Calling all Pelicans! Pump up your tires and plan now to take a few extra days off before Reunion because Rich First '86 is organizing the second annual two day Pelican Ride; 105 miles from Putney, Vermont to the Island. The route has been scouted, the inns are booked and it promises to be an awesome ride.

We'll meet at the LC Campus at 4:00 pm June 13 and shuttle north to the Putney Inn, in Putney, Vermont, just north of Brattleboro. The Ziter family welcomes us to their Inn, which dates back to 1752 when King George III deeded the property to an English Army Captain John Kathan who built the areas first homestead. The Inn is rich in history and serves a fabulous send off dinner to nourish our cycling bodies for the miles to come. The Inn's Tavern is a nice feature too.

Thursday begins with a downhill! We'll make our way through the heart of Brattleboro and then follow the Connecticut River to the Massachusetts border where we soon pass an LC rival campus: Northfield Mount Herman. The rest of the day is spent in lush countryside meandering past farms and occasionally meeting up with the Connecticut. Our cycling day ends with a peaceful and easy five-mile ride on a bike path into the vibrant college town of Amherst. We overnight at the Amherst and Allen Inns; Two sister inns, a stone's throw apart. Innkeepers Alan and Ann Cieminski have lovingly restored both inns and are experts at pampering cyclists! In the evening we'll take a short walk to Amherst for dinner out at a local restaurant.

Friday we fuel our bodies with a country-style breakfast at the inn before resuming our cycling journey to the Island. We start the day near the river before heading southeast staying on lovely country roads. The terrain remains gentle for enjoying wonderful vistas with hills rising off to our east. We'll pedal past Mt Holyoke College and another Loomis Chaffee rival school, Wilbraham Monson. Along the way are refreshing stops at farm and fruit stands. Finally we turn west, cross over the mighty Connecticut, roar up Palisado Avenue and triumphantly coast down Batchelder Road for a celebratory finish at Founder's Circle.

Spouses, family & friends are welcome!

The Details:

Wednesday June 13:
4:00 pm - Arrive on campus at Loomis Chaffee
5:00 pm - Shuttle departs for Putney, VT
7:00 pm – Dinner

Accommodations & Meals: Putney Inn, Putney, VT
Dinner & Breakfast
www.putneyinn.com

Thursday June 14:
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Depart for Amherst, MA. 55 Mile Ride - Shorter options available with van shuttle
7:00 pm – Dinner in Amherst

Accommodations & Meals:
Amherst Inn
Breakfast (Dinner is included but we eat out)
www.allenhouse.com

Friday June 15:
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:00 am – Depart for LC. 50 Mile Ride - Shorter options available with van shuttle

What's included?
Van shuttle from LC to Putney
Two nights accommodations including inn and restaurant taxes and gratuities
Dinner Wednesday & Thursday
Breakfast Thursday & Friday
Van support while cycling
Snacks on the road
Luggage transfers
Cycling cue sheets (ride at your own pace)
POMG Bike Tours of VT Tour Leader(s)
Optional cycling clinic on first morning
POMG Bike Tours of VT water bottle

What's not included?
Lunches (we stop along the way at delis)
Alcohol
Rental bike
Guide gratuity