NERDS 5 - We're on a roll now!

[RossKean]

It's a one stop vacation and has it all. Bar, Restaurant awesome breakfast. Gas and beer right next door within a short walk. Hell you can't beat it. Heck if you get board you can actually go motorcycle riding.

Dave

Don't forget Ben & Jerry s Ice cream factory only what? A mile down the road?

Shusssssssssssssssh, don't tell my wife that. she will make me walk everyday.

Ben and Jerry's is like 8 miles from the Commodore's Inn. Almost burn off half that cone on a round trip (if walking).

 

[Geezer]

The price of a clean comfortable room varies a lot by exactly where you are. I stayed in a very nice, clean, comfortable place outside of Flint, MI one time for 65 bucks, including taxes. I also paid three times that much for a similar place in Banff. There are usually cheaper alternatives, but I prefer my tent to a questionable hotel room. The Commodore's Inn is worth the money for what you get at that location.

 

[Fred W]

*Edited to remove post that some found to be in bad taste*

For the public record, Scott and I discussed this offline. He was sort of "bustin' my balls" jokingly because we claim to be frugal Yankees, but these room rates appear to be awfully high.

And... he's right. Stowe just isn't as cheap as it used to be. But the hospitality we get, the Mom and Pop owners' tolerance of our parking lot shenanigans each night, their encouragement to park bikes under the big entrance canopy, even though it makes it a hassle for their other guests, the nice breakfasts included in the rate each day, and the rest of the accommodations and friendly employees at The Commodores Inn, it all seems worth the few extra sheckels.

If you do the math, and subtract the $16 per person for breakfast each day, the room rates are actually $70 midweek and $102 on the summer weekend, which is pretty cheap for anywhere in New England.

But, you can always stay elsewhere in town, or even at one of the local campgrounds, if its just too much scratch for you.

 

[dcarver]

I really enjoyed my NERDS run from Kali in 2011. Hard to believe it's been that long ago. Hmm..

 

[RossKean]

Don

For an Iron Butt rider, its only three days. For a Candy Butt rider, such as yourself, we will allow an additional day (maybe even two).

Edit: Just looking at your "States Visited" map and you obviously haven't updated it since your ride to New England 5+ years ago. Need to fix that and add a few more!

 

[08FJR4ME]

We are staying a few extra days so I consider this a vacation not just a motorcycle get together. If that makes any sense, but I don't mind spending a few extra bucks because I am on vacation. I am hoping to get up to Mount Washington this time around. I have never been to the top.

Dave

 

[RossKean]

I have probably gone by the Mt. Washington Auto Road at least 50 times over the years. I have never done the ride to the top. One of these days...

(Don't do it on Motorcycle Day if you value your brake pads and rotors - June 12 and 15. Harley parade!)

 

[bbdig]

Booked for a King bed. We will be going up early as Fred always seems to get good weather for this get together

 

[Fred W]

Wintertime dreaming of riding in Vermont...

And of course...

 

[08FJR4ME]

You had to post those didn't ya!

Dave

 

[Fred W]

I've got lots more, if it'll help you through the winter.

That last photo of the narrowest part of Smuggler's Notch always makes my heart pump! It doesn't get any tighter than that, even on the famous "dragon".

I've never managed to get a decent shot anywhere along Tracy Rd, and certainly didn't try on our run together last summer. Without Josie on the back there is no chance of me getting a hand up to snap any photos. It probably would'a come out kind'a blurry anyway.

Maybe next year.

 

[RossKean]

Not only is that Smuggler's Notch passage VERY twisty, it is very narrow and there is a fair likelihood of meeting a motor home or pickup truck hauling a travel trailer (using both sides of the road simultaneously). Not a lot of shoulder to get out of the way! Beautiful road, though...

 

[BigOgre]

This has crossed my mind recently. A little different from what I was remembering though.

 

[GinaMcD]

Mike, that picture is pretty bleak...

Here are some views of what one of the gaps (Roxbury or Rochester -- I forget which) looks like at this time of year.

 

[BigOgre]

Much betterer! (2 or 4 wheels? Wait - 4 or 4?

)

 

[GinaMcD]

It was early December a couple of years ago and we were in the trusty AWD Subaru (the unofficial official vehicle of Vermont). The day before we had taken a drive up to St. Albans in search of cheese and had to drive back to our hotel in Waterbury that evening in blinding snow. Not fun on four wheels, and would have been suicide on two.

The pictures were taken the next day when we were out brewery hopping, which is always best done on 4 wheels.

We're waiting on the outcome of Paul's vacation bid for 2017 before we'll know if NERDS will be more than a weekend run for us next year.

 

[Steel_Gin]

Room is booked!! Planning on getting there Friday evening.

 

[LittleJon]

I really really really enjoyed this trip last year. The hotel was top notch, and I look forward to returning this year. I'm planning on arriving Thursday, leaving Sunday.

 

[Fred W]

This January thaw has me day-dreaming of riding in Vermont next summer. Just booked our room.

We'll be making a full week of it. See you all up there!

 

[FJRfarrier]

I will be perusing this thread, and watching for some route ideas for that area.

As much as I would like to make it up there for NERDS- it looks like my vacation time will fall about 2 weeks before this shindig.

But I will be traveling that direction, and spending some time in the area.

It's been awhile since I have been up there - and surely not piloting my own motorcycle. It looks like a beautiful location!!