<< back << What is a Lake Champlain Bikeways Theme Loop?

Why are Theme Loops Better?

The Lake Champlain Bikeways Steering Committee is convinced that there is tremendous potential to create enticing bicycle theme loops in the Champlain Valley. The Valley has all the right ingredients for a premiere bicycle touring destination: peaceful country roads, picturesque villages and hamlets, impressive historic sites and museums, lovely shoreline parks, convenient connections to rail lines and ferry crossings, access to numerous lakes and rivers, and an ample supply of accommodations and services.

Rather than basing the Bikeways network on a generic system such as a numerical system (i.e. loop #1, 2, 3, and so on), or a geographical system (i.e. northwest loop, south loop, etc.), Lake Champlain Bikeways will base them on intriguing and characterizing themes. We believe that linking the diversity of natural, cultural, and historic resources found in the Champlain Valley will add immeasurably to the richness and charm of our network. The resources and amenities of the Champlain Valley landscape offer wonderful opportunities to create bicycle loops that are interesting and informative. Local and visiting cyclists alike will better learn about the area, and appreciate the features that make it so unique.

This, we believe, is the key to a successful network - for economic, community, cultural, and educational reasons. Those communities looking for ways to culturally enrich and economically strengthen themselves stand to benefit from this network of bicycle theme loops, especially if they participate fully in its conception, planning, and implementation. The next section tells you how to get started.

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