Please click here to jump to the Overview section with all tour details including pricing.

New York/Vermont/Montreal Bike Tour: Highlights

The New York and Vermont to Montreal bike tour has it all!

This tour pedals from the lush Lakes Region of New York, cross Lake Champlain by ferry, climb Vermont’s Green Mountains, descends back to an island for a stay in the middle of Lake Champlain, crosses the border into the vibrant city of Montreal, Canada and finally one can return via train along Lake Champlain!

Lizard Head Cycling’s owner, John Humphries, attended college in Vermont and knows the Green Mountain state well. With mountains, islands and Montreal as the final destination, this is one of our most unique touring experiences that is not to be missed.

• Pedal through small towns on roads and bike highways that see little traffic.
• Ride Vermont’s quiet road over the mountains (aka Gaps). Climb up to six Gaps during three days of Vermont mountain cycling.
• Experience Lake Champlain’s islands while riding bridges and causeways into Canada.
• See why Montreal is the European of North American cities and considered a top biking city.

Clients wishing to arrive early can stay at any hotel in Saratoga Springs area including the rejuvenating Roosevelt Mineral Baths of the Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, New York. These renowned springs healed injured soldiers during the Revolutionary and French/Indian Wars.

New York/Vermont/Montreal Bike Tour: Dates

Potential tour dates are listed below and not all tour dates will run. Lock in your preferred tour date early as unopened tour dates will be closed. Please see the Spring/Autumn Tour Calendar and the Summer Tour Calendar for confirmed departures. Any unopened date can be a Custom Week (9 riders required). Please contact us via email or call 970.728.5891

Note: The tour minimum to make GO is 10 riders.

2025 Summer Tour Dates

• July 6 to 12, 2025 (Book Now!) – TOUR OPENED 3 riders needed to make GO

2025 Autumn Tour Dates

• September 5 to 11, 2025 (Book Now!) – TOUR A GO!
  7-Day Tour/Friday to Thursday

Tour Status Notes: NO STATUS = Date Set, no riders have signed up. TOUR OPENED = Tour Opened, rider minimums not met. TOUR A GO! = Tour is Go, rider minimums met. SOLD OUT = Tour Full, rider maximums met.

Why Should you Sign-Up Now and OPEN a Tour Date?
This is the proverbial chicken and the egg conundrum! We need our cyclists to first commit to the date that works for them so that we can commit to that date.

For starters, when you OPEN a date you get to pick your preferred departure date, and there is no penalty if the tour does not run. Once you pick your tour date, Lizard Head closes nearby dates and funnels all additional riders to your chosen date until the tour meets its 6 rider minimum.

BONUS: As an added bonus, we can also hold a spot for you on another tour date of your choosing. There is no fee to switch to another tour date.

In conclusion, if you want a tour to run, we need you to sign up and not wait for others to do the same! Waiting for others may mean that a tour date takes longer or does not confirm. Just Do It! Once a few riders jump into the proverbial waters, others will follow!

NOTE: In anticipation and encouragement of future tour signups prior to reaching the tour minimum, the Lizard Head Cycling website may be updated to show TOUR A GO prior to actual tour confirmation. So, even if the website says that this tour is a go, please wait for your official Email Confirmation before booking non-refundable travel reservations.

New York/Vermont/Montreal Bike Tour: Overview

*** A Passport is Required to Enter Canada! ***

Tour Length: 7-Days/6-Nights Lodging

Meeting Town: Saratoga Springs, NY. The tour meets in Saratoga Springs, NY on Day 1. To shuttle from Albany & the surrounding area to the meeting hotel in Saratoga Springs, we recommend Saratoga Hybrid Cab.

Ending Town: Saratoga Springs and/or Albany, NY (Returning by train from Montreal on Day 7).  On this final day cyclists can also fly out of Albany, fly out of Montreal or return via the van & trailer which drives back with bikes & luggage to Albany & meets the train.

Alternative Departure Day: If your schedule demands that you must return home early, one can depart Montreal by plane or train on the morning of Day 7. The Adirondack train route boards in Montreal and delivers riders back to the start in Albany, NY.  The scenic train departs Montreal at 11:10am and arrives at 7pm.

Total Miles: 265 up to 400 EFI (Every freaking inch) over 6 days of riding. (Can I keep up on this tour?)

Ability Level: Intermediate (3) to Advanced (3/4) 
A combination of quiet, car-free roads, easily accessible mileage options and plenty of climbing options (during the three days in Vermont) makes this tour well suited for upper intermediate to advanced cyclists.

Tour Minimum: 9 riders are needed for this tour to run.

Tour Cost: $3,790 per person with shared accommodations. Add $695 per person to this Tour Cost for a private room each night of the tour (6-Nights).

Tour Discounts: Please see our Reptile Rewards & Tour Discounts page to learn more about Reptile Rewards, Tour Discounts, and Group Discounts. Tour discounts are not stackable with any other discounts or promotions – only the highest valued discount is provided. Please note that for discounts to apply the tour minimum must be met.

Non-Riding Spouses & Partners on Tour: If a non-riding spouse or partner would like to join you on tour and they have their own transportation, they can stay in your room for the cost of the tour's single room supplement. Drivers of personal vehicles are responsible for their own park entrance passes, when needed. We cover park entrance fees for cyclists. Please note that non-riders cannot check into hotels prior to guide arrival as the guides need to manage the check-in process. Checking in a large group can be challenging and take longer than normal, so non-riders need to hang back and be patient. Non-riding spouses and partners are welcome to join the Lizard Head meal plan which includes breakfasts and dinners for $75 per day. Note: Lunches are not included for non-riders driving their own vehicles due to the inherent variability of both lunch timing and locations. It is best for non-riders to plan to explore each day.

Tour Includes: 7-Days guide service, 6-Nights lodging, all meals (except 1 dinner & 1 breakfast & 1 lunch), return train ticket from Montreal, entrance fees, daily lunch en route, energy food, liquid refreshments, in-tour shuttles, and mechanical support. Alcoholic beverages, bike rental, and massage therapy, are additional.

Lodging Includes 6 Nights: (subject to change)

• Nights 1 & 2: Middlebury Inn, Middlebury, Vermont
• Night 3: Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, Vermont
• Night 4: Shore Acres Inn, North Hero, Vermont
• Nights 5 & 6: Hotel Nelligan, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Meeting Hotel and Ending Hotel reservations and costs are NOT included unless specified otherwise. Guests are on-their-own to make reservations at the Meeting Hotel or Ending Hotel, or other nearby hotels.

Road Bike Rentals

NOTE: The make, model, and specifications of rental bikes may differ from what is described below. Please contact us if you have any specific needs for a rental bike or have any questions about rental bikes.

Lizard Head Cycling Guides is proud to rent Scott Bikes. The Scott Addict 10 Disc was designed from the ground up with those longer days in mind. With geometry that is less focused on racing and more on enduring, the Addict 10 will be your go to when you’re looking to put the miles in.

The Scott Addict 10 Disc features: Carbon Frame and Fork, Shimano Ultegra 2x11 Drivetrain, 34x32 Compact Gearing, 30mm Tires, and Hydraulic Disc Brakes. Approx. Weight: 16.89 lbs / 7.66 kg (without pedals)

☛ Learn more about our Rental Bikes and Equipment

Road E-Bike Rentals: Click Here for more information on our Road E-Bike Rentals including pricing. Since E-Bike rental availability can be limited, please reserve early. NOTE: Although E-Bikes are great, our tours were originally designed to be ridden without motorized assistance. We keep our cyclists together with a variety of techniques including staggered starts and "bumps" along the road. When available, we also bring a spare E-Bike along on tours so that cyclists can ride their standard pedal bikes and if they become knackered, they can hop on a E-Bike to finish the day. Please contact us about this possibility.

Tandems and Recumbents: Lizard Head Cycling Guides happily accommodates both tandem and recumbent bikes on our tours.

If you have any further questions, please read more on our Rental Bikes FAQ page. You can also email us at info@lizardheadcyclingguides.com or call us at 970.728.5891

Meals On Tour

Lizard Head Cycling Guides provides most meals on all tours (unless otherwise noted) including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guides will prepare a daily lunch en route for nearly every tour, both road and off-road, as well as provide nutritious snacks at periodic aid stations during the day.

Most of our road tours utilize local restaurants for all meals and occasionally guides may prepare a dinner or two during a tour. Due to the nature of being "off the grid", most of our off-road tours feature guide prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. FUN NOTE: When guides prepare a meal in camp and the guests sit around and watch, this is called "Guide TV".

We also pride ourselves on being able to cater to specific dietary requests and needs, so rest assured that you will be able to get the nutrition that works best for you during your tour. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, or a someone who loves it all – we will keep you well fed during the tour!

Lunches: Lizard Head Cycling Guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.

Dinners: On our road tours, Lizard Head Cycling sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients and guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu including: appetizer, salad, entrée, and of course, dessert... yum! Also, while on tour if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days sleep is the most important post-ride element.

Ability Level: Can I Ride This Tour?

Definition of Ability Levels

= Intermediate (2/3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 1 to 3 times a week for a total of 50 or more miles.
= Upper Intermediate (3) Rides and/or takes spin classes 2 to 4 times a week for a total of 75 or more miles.
= Advanced (3/4) Rides and/or takes spin classes 3 to 5 times a week for a total of 100 or more miles. Has ridden multi-day tours and done a century ride.
= Expert (4) Rides 4 or more times per week totaling 150 or more miles. Rides E.F.I. with regularity. Has done numerous multi-day tours, century rides and races.

How Fit do I Have to Be? If one month prior to the tour, you can ride 2 to 3 times a week equaling a total of 75 or more miles a week, you'll do just fine. We like to jokingly say that "one is ready for a Lizard Head Cycling Tour when they are finished with tour" and this is true! The only way to simulate a week long bike tour is to go on a week long tour.

Our average rider age is 55 years. These are bike tours, not races so we take our time to stop, take pictures and see the sights. We have all day to reach our destination and most riders take "bumps" at some points. We offer reduced mileage options for each day. Of course if someone wants to ride E.F.I. (Every Freaking Inch), we love to show them all the extra climbs, loops and hidden canyons that can be included!

Do the Bump! Daily mileage options allow cyclists of varying abilities to enjoy this tour. One of our favorite options is to give cyclists a "bump" via the support vehicle, or a 10 to 20 mile lift down the road representing an hour of pedal time. After the bump the rider is "off the front" and riding at his or her own pace without feeling they are being left behind the group. They'll then have time to linger and take in the spectacular scenery. All cyclists come together in time for lunch. Afterwards, cyclists can take another bump and/or continue riding.

Seamless Mileage Options: Lizard Head Cycling Guides designs multiple mileage options for each tour – something we're well known for in our business. This technique is similar to heliskiing in that one does not ski everything, they ski the best. 🙂

Slow or Fast? Many cyclists who sign up for our tours have worried themselves silly about not being able to keep up, but then they're surprised to find that all the worrying was about nothing. They do just fine! Slow and Fast only exist relative to other cyclists. Speed does not matter as long as one is moving on the bike. As long as one is moving, they are truly going fast enough.

If you have questions about your ability to ride this tour, please contact our office via email or call us at 970.728.5891 - we'll more than happy to guide you!

Please also see this blog post for more information.

Overall Route Map

Below is an example of the daily routes for this tour and are subject to change based on season, available accommodations, road closures, and other factors. The actual routes will be made available to registered participants before their tour, so please view these routes as a general outline as to what to expect.

New York/Vermont/Montreal Bike Tour: Itinerary*

*PLEASE NOTE: Tour itineraries are subject to change and modification based on the group, available accommodations, road construction, road closures, and other unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, landslides and/or other acts of nature. Also, the distances and elevation profiles shown below may not reflect the actual distances and elevations while on tour as these are provided here to give an idea as to the anticipated mileage and terrain. Please view this itinerary, the distances, and elevation profiles as a general outline as to what to expect while on this tour.

Day 1: Lake George, NY to Middlebury, VT
Options of 35 miles or 57 EFI miles

The cycling begins along seldom traveled roads along  the west banks of Lake George, nicknamed “Queen of the American Lakes”, and Lake Champlain.  Water, rivers and lakes abound in this region.

Vermont’s Green Mountains are visible to the east and the Adirondack Mountains rise to the northwest.  What a beautiful start to a bike tour!

Day 1 offers one fresh 2-mile climb (650-feet) up and over a ridge to reach the shores of Lake George.

The route passes through the Revolutionary war town of Ticonderoga, a native Mohawk word meaning, “between the two waters”.  The two waters are the north end of Lake George and south end of Lake Champlain.

In Ticonderoga, NY cyclists board a ferry boat across Lake Champlain to reach the shores of Vermont.  Upon landing in Vermont cyclists spin northeast past Vermont’s bucolic farms and fields to Middlebury, VT for a two night’s stay at the Middlebury Inn.

Day 2: Gap Riding Options!
Options of 40 miles, 73 miles or a massive 107 EFI miles

Day 2’s route delves into Vermont’s Green Mountains with a defining ride that ascends the range two, three or even up to four times! The vistas are grand as the route slices through the heart of the Green Mountain range exploring quaint and picturesque towns that offer restaurants, lodging and classic country stores. Support is offered for the various options cyclists choose.

The gaps are generally gentle ascents until their last mile or two when the road punches steeply up and over the gaps. As a result, the gaps in general are generally intermediate level riding until the final mile or two before the summit.

• Two-Gap Option: Riders pedal past beautiful Lake Dunmore before engaging the first Gap of the tour, Brandon Gap (5 miles & about 1,500-feet). After descending Brandon cyclists turn enjoy an aid station in Rochester, Vermont. Following refreshments cyclists head up and over Middlebury Gap and back to the Middlebury Inn.
• Three-Gap Option: Ride over Brandon, Rochester, and Roxbury Gaps serving up 6,900-feet of climbing. The Three-Gap Option diverts from the Two-Gap- Option at the aid station in Rochester. From Rochester cyclists climb the Rochester Gap and are thrilled with a beautifully paved 6-mile swooping descent! Lunch is enjoyed in the small town of Randolph. The final climb of the Three-Gap Option is Roxbury Gap which presents cyclists with a ride-able, but challenging mile of packed dirt at the summit. After the descent of Roxbury Gap cyclists meet the shuttle at the Warren Country Store for ice cream, soda pop and/or a cold Vermont micro-brew. To end the Three-Gap-Option cyclists shuttle over Middlebury Gap after ice-cream at the Warren Store for a second night’s lodging at 19th-century era Middlebury Inn.
• Four-Gap Option: The biggest challenge of this tour is Four-Gap Option back to Middlebury. The Four-Gap Option is a 107-mile monster with 9,200-feet of climbing. It follows the same route as the Three-Gap Option, but continues through Warren to climb up and over Middlebury Gap to end the day!

Roxbury Gap: The 10-mile (1,500-foot ascent) of Roxbury Gap begins following a shady brook onto Roxbury Mtn Rd. Once on Roxbury Road the climbing starts quickly and is interspersed with dirt sections. The dirt sections of the gap are meticulously groomed, so there is usually no problem for narrower tires. There will be some nice glimpses across the Rt 100 valley, so be sure to look over your left shoulder once in while on the climb. The summit of Roxbury Gap is dirt, as are are short portions of the descent.

Day 3: Middlebury to Stowe, VT
Options of 51 miles or 66 EFI miles

Ride between the iconic Vermont towns of Middlebury and Stowe and enjoy an end of day visit to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Creamery! This day’s 51 mile Two-Gap route begins with a shuttle to the top of Middlebury Gap and then follows the Three-Gap route.

The Three-Gap route is a 66 mile ride that begins with the ascent of the Middlebury Gap from which cyclists descend 7 miles before turning north towards Warren, Vermont. Upon reaching Warren cyclists climb Lincoln Gap, the steepest Gap in the state with one full mile above 20% (yes 20%!) gradient. This mile is the “Steepest Paved Mile” in North America and a sight to see. Previous cyclists have said it, “was a great walk” under the interlacing tree canopy. Regardless if ridden or partially walked, the Lincoln Gap is a highlight of the tour. Following Lincoln Gap cyclists enjoy a well deserved lunch before engaging the formidable Appalachian Gap (App-Gap). The descent of the App-Gap brings cyclists through the Mad River Valley to Waitsfield, VT from which cyclists are shuttled 20 miles to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory Creamery.

From Ben and Jerry’s cyclists can choose to shuttle to the finish or choose to work off the ice cream with an 8 mile ride into Stowe, Vermont. Lodging is at the classic Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, Vermont. This evening cyclist can walk and enjoy the charming village of Stowe.

Appalachian Gap: The Appalachian Gap is a lovely Vermont climb. Both Lizard Head Cycling’s tour and the Green Mountain Bike Stage Race climbs the “App-Gap” from the west side. The last kilometer or so is about 15% grade. The App-Gap begins gradually enough as the first bump is often referred to as Baby-App. After the Baby-Gap a 100-metre descent follows, but don’t be fooled because once you start going up again, the switchbacks get tighter while the grade stays steep. The view from the top of the App-Gap is perhaps the best of all the Gaps. A cliff overlook gives you views of the road below, the Lake Champlain Valley and the Adirondack mountains… let’s hope for a clear day!

Day 4: Stowe to North Hero Island, VT
Options of 40 miles or 59 EFI miles

Cyclists ride from the high-mountains of Vermont down to the wide-waters of Lake Champlain while descending over 4,000 feet! The stage begins with a climb of Vermont’s Smuggler’s Notch past the Stowe and Smuggler’s Notch ski areas. On this final climb of the tour the road engineers did not spend time or money blowing up the house-sized boulders, they simply built the road to wind around them. As a result, the climb of Smuggler’s Notch must be seen to be believed.

At the summit of Smuggler’s Notch cyclists can survey all of northern Vermont and Lake Champlain. Before descending cyclists may take note of riding across Vermont’s Long Trail (Vermont’s Continental Divide) for the sixth time in three days.

The long descent of Smuggler’s Notch delivers cyclists to Pleasant Valley, an appropriately named valley of immense beauty. From Pleasant Valley cyclists ride smooth pavement past the iconic farms and fields that comprise northern Vermont. Cyclists then join the Roosevelt Highway to ride from island to island out into the middle of Lake Champlain.

Tonight’s island lodging surrounded by Lake Champlain is on North Hero Island. Upon arrival cyclists are encouraged to find a large Adirondack Chair, their favorite beverage and simply take in the view.

Day 5: North Hero Island, VT to Montreal, QC Canada!
Options of 40 miles or 58 EFI miles on the Verte Route bike road

Brush up on your French as today’s we ride along northern shores of Lake Champlain to Quebec along the Richelieu River to Montreal. Remember your passport as the final stretch into Montreal is not to be missed.

Nearing Montreal, the route follows the Chambly Canal, a national historical site in Canada known for it’s commercial trade with the United States in the mid 1800s. The route is now used for recreating and connects the St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain and the Hudson Rivers. Our path joins a well established bike path that meanders over the St. Lawrence River and for the first time on this tour, into the hustle and bustle of a big city.

Tonight’s accommodations at the Hotel Nelligan combine all the character and history of an authentic French country inn with the services and space of a modern boutique hotel.

Day 6: Tour de Montreal
A Day to Explore Montreal

Today is a day to discover Montreal on foot or bike, exploring the markets, museums and culture of this vibrant city. If true recovery is on the agenda, head over to the spa next to the hotel or relax with a book on the rooftop terrace overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

But if getting back in the saddle calls, Montreal hosts an urban cycling treat. A Tour de Montreal will take you to some of the best vantage points in the city, first from its namesake landmark, Mont Royal, a triple peaked hill. We’ll then descend down into the Victorian neighborhoods of Westmount and St. Henri, and the Lachine Canal, the birthplace of industry in Canada. Montreal is the second largest primarily French-speaking city in the world, so brush up on your French before visiting the Atwater’s Farmers Market en route to the St-Lawrence River, and St. Helen’s and Notre Dame islands, home to parks, festivals and the Formula-1 Racetrack. We’ll tour back via the Jacques Cartier Bridge, one of the most spectacular views of Montreal.

If your schedule demands that you must return home on Day 6, one can depart Montreal by plane or train. The Adirondack train route boards in Montreal and delivers riders back to the start in Albany, NY.  The train departs Montreal at 11:10am and arrives at 7pm. Guests can also fly out of Montreal.

Day 7: Adirondack Amtrak Route or Island Line Trail to Burlington
Optional ride of 27 miles

Today’s travel will take us southbound down memory lane via the Adirondack train route back to New York. The train departs late morning and arrives back in Albany, New York early evening.  Depending one’s destination, the route runs all the way to New York City. Guests can also fly out of Montreal.

Previous cyclists have chosen to extend their stay in Montreal by a day or two. If additional sightseeing is on your agenda, rent a car and head up the St. Lawrence river to Quebec City, the only fortified city that remains in North America.

For a riding option on this day, the Lizard Head van will shuttle back into northern Vermont to begin one final ride through the heart of Lake Champlain. Starting from North Hero Island, the cycling route meanders south along the western shores of Grand Isle and South Hero. From the southern tip of South Hero we join up with the Island Line Trail, a magnificent 13.4 mile rail trail that seemingly skims across Lake Champlain. The ride ends in Burlington, Vermont with a final shuttle back to Saratoga and/or Albany, New York to end the tour.

New York/Vermont/Montreal Bike Tour: Logistics & FAQs

Bike Shipping

Lizard Head Cycling recommends shipping with BikeFlights.com. Bikes can be shipped either to our partner bike shop in each meeting town for professional assembly or directly to the meeting hotel for self-assembly. Bike boxes can generally be left at the meeting hotel during the tour. Bikes shipped across the continental US should be shipped 8 days prior to your tour.

Ride Difficulty
The NY to Montreal Tour is designed for intermediate to advanced cyclists.  There is rolling terrain and climbing options that allow cyclists to customize their tour experience.  The tour is similar to riding Ride the Rockies, The Bike Tour of Colorado, Cycle Oregon or RAGBRAI.

Tour Support
A 15-passenger van and trailer that carries luggage, food and equipment supports Lizard Head Cycling’s tours.  Cyclists keep a day bag that is accessible within the support vehicle.

Q-sheets with directions, profiles and locations of aid stations are given out for each stage.

General Tour & Cancellation Policies

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with all of our tour and cancellation policies, which can be found by clicking here.

Travel Insurance

If you have not already, now would be a great time to consider adding travel insurance to your tour. You are welcome to use any travel insurance company you would like. We recommend Generali/Trip Mate.

American Guests - use this link: http://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/get-a-quote.html?partner=LIZA0855

• The Premium Plan is the only plan which offers Pre-Existing coverage so long as the plan is purchased prior to Final Payment.
• The Premium Plan is the only plan that offers an optional Cancel For Any Reason - the policy must be purchased within 24 hours of initial trip deposit, the full trip cost must be insured, and if they cancel for Any Reason, it must be 48 hours prior to departure, and the reimbursement for an Any Reason claim is 60% of pre-paid, insured, non-refundable trip cost.
• Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-874-2442 for coverage questions and policy modifications or to purchase by phone. Agency Code: LIZA0855

Canadian Guests - use this link: https://tripmate.catravelins.ca/?utm_source=lizardhead