VT-110 running from South Royalton north to Barre and is the most intriguing of the three alternatives to VT-100 (VT-14, VT-12 and VT-110). One-ten has a feel that is more remote, more twisty and more country than the other two alternatives -- if that’s possible. There are also two side trips worth exploring.
Pick-up VT-110 at from VT-14 in South Royalton. The Corner Stop Mini-Mart provides gas, food, beverages and rest rooms. Small towns long the road provide basic services every five to ten miles, in the usual Vermont pattern.
The first town you will come to is Tunbridge, home of the Tunbridge Worlds Fair. The fairgrounds has events throughout the summer and has hosted the Moto Giro vintage motorcycle race.Check the fairgrounds' schedule for events of interest. The annual fall fair attracts many visitors, so expect traffic delays during those days.
The first side trip is Strafford Rd in Tunbridge. Stafford Rd is immediately before the new Turnbridge bridge. This winding road leads to the town of Strafford. The pavement that varies from great to god-awful, so be prepared for bumps and crack filler. In return, you'll get views, variety and a sense of adventure. In South Stafford pick up route 132. VT-132 winds along a nice river and has frequent riverside pull-offs to wait out any cars you might encounter. At the Sharon end of 132 there are good twisties, if you can get them without traffic. You will also find the Sharon Trading Post, a real Vermont country store with a front-porch bench, bathroom and gas.
If you take the Stafford Rd side-trip you can easily loop back to VT-110 and retrace your route back to Tunbridge.
Continuing north from Tunbridge leads you to our second side-trip, East Randolph Road (also known as Chelsea Mountain Rd on VT-14 side). This short side trip provides a short cut-over to VT-14. The pavement is an unexpected treat. The road has good views, few cars and a twisty flow. Sport oriented riders may want to ride this road there-and-back, just for the of fun it. You can also use it as variant for a VT-14 based ride.
North of East Randolph Rd is Chelsea VT. This small town has food, a nice town green and two general stores. Will’s Country Store is the better of the two – Chelsea Country Store has no public bathrooms. You will also find VT-113 in Chelsea.
Chelsea Diner in Chelsea VT
Dixies in Chelsea VT
North of Chelsea, VT-110 opens up until you come to Washington – another small Vermont town with a store and town green. If you’re making a loop with VT-14, you may want to consider the Lowery Rd cut-off before hitting Barre.
The Lowery Rd cut-off requires a 3 mile dirt road ride, so this isn’t for everyone (although the road quality was good during summer of 2009).
Lowery Rd is approximately .6 miles north of Washington on the left-hand side. Follow Lowery to Lambert Rd. Take a left onto Lambert and follow it until it intersects with McCafferty Rd. Take a right onto McCafferty and follow it to Robar Rd.
Robar merges into and becomes Graniteville Rd. At this point you are back on pavement. Follow Graniteville Rd until you reach Williamstown and VT-14. Don’t be surprised if these roads do not actually have signs. In Williamstown, you can choose to go south on VT-14 or take VT-64 over to VT-12.
Following the Lowery Rd cut-off will save you a slow, car filled ride through Barre on US-302. Harley riders may want to make the trek, however, to visit Wilkins Harley Davidson in Barre on VT-14.
VT-100 Alternatives
Estimate Mileage
- South Royalton to Stafford Rd Tunbridge - 5.5 miles
- Tunbridge to East Randolph Rd - 6 miles
- East Randolph Rd to Chelsea - 2 miles
- Chelsea to Lowery Rd cut off - 10.6 miles
Video
- Motorcycle-Vermont has video VT-110, but it's still in the can. Came back soon to see it!
Map
