TA News

There is no question that a healthy sense of adventure and an entrepreneurial spirit are good qualities to have when growing up in rural Vermont. Jonas Cole, Class of 2008, who was raised two doors down from Thetford Academy, remembers how “making your own fun” was a key part of his Vermont childhood. 

As the sole proprietor of Vermont Bike & Brew, based in Thetford, Jonas now helps others find that fun, connecting his clients with the outdoor adventures and small town joys of the Upper Valley. Every year from May to October, Vermont Bike & Brew rents from a fleet of 25 pedal-assisted electric bikes so customers can experience the Upper Valley’s “vibrant community, decadent food and beverage, and breathtaking scenery.” 

VT Bike & Brew was the perfect venture for Jonas, who is also an outdoor educator with more than a decade of experience leading wilderness trips. His work and his passion for travel have taken him all over the world, and, he says, “one of the most impactful aspects of my traveling has been the people who I meet.” With his business, he facilitates that experience for others, connecting clients with the “brewers, farmers, and artists that have made their homes in the Green Mountain State.”

With five carefully curated self-guided tours, each starting at a different local brewery, Bike & Brew riders will traverse through Vermont’s rolling hills, travel its main and gravel roads, and cross historic covered bridges. Ice cream stops are strongly encouraged–farm stands, cafes, and  sugarhouses, too. With the e-bike, each journey can be as leisurely or as challenging as the customer wants–and is certain to be beautiful. 

Recently married to his partner Madi, Jonas is excited to be back in Thetford, sharing his home state with others. When VT Bike & Brew’s season wraps up in October, the pair will head to New Zealand for their honeymoon. Don’t worry, though, another season of touring and exploring with VT Bike & Brew is on tap for the spring of 2023! Visit www.vtbikeandbrew.com for all the details.