VT-14 feels grittier than VT-100 or VT-12 and has pockets of fast twisty road that make it more sporty than VT-12. Fourteen runs from South Royalton to Coventry and can be combined with VT-12 and VT-110 to make a mid-state loop or ridden north from US-2 in East Montpelier to VT-100 and on to Newport Vermont.

In East Randolph Messier’s General Store provides a nice rest stop with outdoor benches, a real payphone and a clean, country feel. One warning: in 2009 Messier's had no indoor bathroom. A clean port-a-potty provided the customer facilities. The VT-66 junction is just north of Messier’s, so this stop can also be used from VT-12 with only a short side-trip.

Running north from Messier’s, VT-14 goes through the small towns of North Randolph, East Brookfield, and Williamstown. There is a nice set of twisties just north of East Brookfield.

The fun comes to end when you enter Barre, a full-on Vermont city. US-302 runs through Barre and provides a major east-west route running between Montpelier and northern New Hampshire. Mid-day weekend traffic on this section is often high, in contrast to VT-14. Naturally, Barre does provide a large number of food and fuel choices.

North of Barre you will run through East Montpelier where the road will open again to the country-road, sweepers and straights pattern. Hardwick provides basic services like food, fuel and restrooms.

The section near Craftsbury has riding that can be fun provided you’re early enough in the day to avoid traffic.

Newport is an overlooked destination and I haven’t quite figured this place out. The Newport waterfront on Lake Memphremagog is beautiful and is a great places to sit and relax and enjoy the view. The waterfront park is clean, comfortable, has great lake views and is usually eerily quite. Why more people do not take advantage of this place is a mystery to me.

VT-100 Alternatives

• Part 1: VT-12
• Part 3: VT-110

Key Approximate Mileage:

• South Royalton to North Royalton - 4 miles
• North Royalton to East Randolph - 9 miles
• East Randolph to East Brookfield (VT-65) - 6 miles
• East Brookfield to Williamstown - 7.5 miles
• Williamstown to Barre - 6 miles
• Barre to East Montpelier - 5.5 miles
• East Montpelier to Hardwick - 21 miles
• Hardwick to Irasburg - 23 miles
• Irasburg to VT-100 - 11 miles

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Have you ridden this route or have other comments about it? Let us know what you think!