Hampton Inn, 42 Lower Mountain View Dr., Colchester, VT
(802) 655-6177

Make sure to mention that you are part of the Eastern Tandem Rally group.

You can reserve a room in the ETR hotel here. 

• The rally hotel link has been updated with more king rooms now available and the option that states “2 Double Beds” is actually 2 Queen Beds (the hotel does not have double beds but due to a flaw in their software, are unable to correct the wording). Both room options are at the $199/night group rate.
• Indoor pool and Fitness Center
• Free Wi-Fi
• Laundry Facilities
• Free breakfast on shoulder days of ETR with shoulder days at same discounted room rate as ETR
• Check-in time is July 31, 4 p.m. and checkout is at Aug. 2, 11 a.m. They will accommodate earlier check-ins as they are able
• Bike storage room on Level 1; entry at rear of hotel
• Smoking prohibited in any area of the hotel
• Cutoff date for booking hotel room is June 30, 2026
• Hotel cancellation policy is 7 days prior to arrival; otherwise one night’s room and tax will be applied as a cancellation fee.

Thursday, July 30

• The rally doesn’t start until Friday, but for those of you arriving on Thursday, there is a free outdoor concert at Snow Farm Winery (our remote start for Friday) from 6:30 to 8:30p.m.  The rock and blues band “B-Town” will be performing.  Food and drinks will be available for purchase.  You will need to bring your own chairs if you choose to attend.  Snow Farm Winery is located at 190 West Shore Road in South Hero.

Friday, July 31

• 9:00AM–6:00 PM Rally check in at rear of hotel lobby. Pick up nametags, rally information and ETR jerseys if ordered. Drop off baked goods for Cookie Stop.
• Bike Storage Rooms on lower level through Entrance B at rear of hotel. Please use a bike stand if you have one. The hotel has asked that we not store bikes in guest rooms.
• Enjoy the Friday routes on the Champlain Islands. Parking at Snow Farm Winery, 190 West Shore Road, South Hero. Join up with other tandems and start at your convenience.
• Informal, on your own, group starts at 10:00 and 1:00, if you want to ride with other people.
• Dinner on your own.
• 7:00–8:30 PM Ice Cream Social in Hampton Inn Champlain Ballroom, Level 2

Saturday, August 1

• 6:30–8:00 AM Buffet Breakfast, Champlain Ballroom, Level 2
• 8:15 AM Rally group photo outside of main hotel entrance. Wear your 2026 ETR jersey or a jersey from a previous ETR
• 9:00 AM Remote start rides with parking at Georgia Elementary and Middle School, 4416 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7), St. Albans, VT.
• 10:00–11:30 AM Cookie Stop at St. Albans Town Office, 398 Georgia Shore Rd.
• 12:00–1:30 PM Lunch Stop at St. Albans Town Office, 398 Georgia Shore Rd.
• 4:00–5:00 PM ETR Board Meeting, Diamond Board Room, Level 5, Hampton Inn
• 5:30 PM Bar Opens in Champlain Ballroom
• 6:00–9:00 PM Banquet Dinner Buffet in Champlain Ballroom

Sunday, August 2

• 6:30–8:00 AM Buffet Breakfast, Champlain Ballroom, Level 2
• *** PLEASE turn in NAME TAG HOLDER as you leave breakfast***
• 8:30 AM Remote start rides with parking at Colchester High School, 131 Laker Lane, Colchester, VT (bathrooms 1/3 mile along routes at Bayside Park near picnic pavilion).
• Both routes are out and back so you can tailor the length of your ride according to your own needs.
• 11:00 AM Hotel Checkout. Please turn in your nametag holders

The Lighthouse Restaurant (on hotel property)
Prime Rib, Steak, Seafood
Reservations recommended: 802-448-3361

City Sports Grill
215 Lower Mountain View Drive, Colchester
(across from hotel at bowling alley)
Walk-ins only

Casa Real Mexican Restaurant
85 S Park Drive and Roosevelt Hwy at I89
Walk-ins only

Windjammer Restaurant
Steak and seafood
Reservations: 802-862-6585

Waterworks
20 Winooski Falls Way (in Champlain Mill)
Creative American cuisine
Reservations recommended (802) 497-3525

The Guild
1633 Williston Road, South Burlington
Wood-fired grill Steakhouse
Reservations: 802-497-1207

Blue Paddle Bistro
316 US 2
South Hero
Casual Fine Dining
Reservations 802-372-4814

Trattoria Delia
152 St. Paul Street, Burlington
Cozy, rustic Italian
Reservations: 802-864-5253

Old Spokes Home – A very cool bike shop!

We’re still working on the routes!

Burlington, Vermont, is known for its vibrant, walkable downtown centered on the pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace, stunning Lake Champlain waterfront with sunset views, farm-to-table food scene featuring local maple syrup and craft beer.

Lets talk beer…Vermont leads the nation in breweries per capita. (Not sure why….) If you are interested in reading more about why Burlington is referred to as “Beerlington“, see here. The following breweries are in or near Burlington:

• Queen City Brewery: Classic styles in the South End.
• Vermont Pub & Brewery: A long-standing brewpub.
• Burlington Beer Company (BBCO): Known for innovative beers like “It’s Complicated Being a Wizard,” says the Burlington Beer Company website.
• Foam Brewers: A popular spot in the area.
• Zero Gravity Craft Brewery: Another well-regarded local option.
• Magic Hat: A well-known name in the region. 

If you are not into beer and breweries, there are plenty of other things to do in the area:

Hiking:

• Niquete Bay State Park, Colchester
• Milton Town Forest
• Sterling Pond in Smuggler’s Notch

Disc golf and Zip line at Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort

Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, the preserved final home of the Revolutionary War hero, Ethan Allen, offering tours and exhibits on 18th-century Vermont history and Abenaki heritage. If you are interested in Ethan Allen, the furniture company, don’t look here!  

Shelburne Museum, Village-like atmosphere with 39 buildings of American history, art and design
Thursday night free concerts at Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero

Spirit of Ethan Allen: narrated sightseeing cruise of Lake Champlain; also offer dinner cruises

If you are looking for more to do in the area and an up to date calendar of special events, see this website. 

We are looking for help with the following:

• Bake cookies or breads for the Cookie Stop
• 3 couples to run the Cookie Stop
• Volunteers to help with packet pickup on Friday at hotel for 2-hour shifts
• Volunteers to help with lunch cleanup on Saturday for approximately 20 minutes starting at 1:30 p.m. 

Mel and Barbara are planning on being at this year’s ETR.  Barbara will be displaying her Evelyn Hill Cycling line of bike clothing with new sleeveless and short sleeve jerseys as well as bib shorts and regular shorts with great chamois!  Tandems East will offer support with parts and mechanics along with an array of bike accessories for your shopping convenience.  They have new shoes and helmets starting at $40.  They will be located in the hotel’s Library which is next to the banquet room on the 2nd level.  Mel plans to bring mechanics for bike repair and maintenance and will be set up outside on the patio and Gazebo area which is by entrance C of the hotel.

We understand that plans change (although we’ll be heartbroken not to have you at our rally!).

If you need to cancel attendance at ETR you must notify us at easterntandemrally@gmail.com as soon as you can. If you do not receive an email confirmation that we have received your cancellation, it is not cancelled!

Cancellation prior to July 1: 100% refund minus a $15 handling fee per person
No refunds after June 30.

Note that you will also need to cancel your hotel reservation. We believe that you will be able to cancel your hotel reservation up to 7 days before the rally without penalty.