neilfein

Does anyone know a decent route from New Haven to Bridgeport? I'm plotting out a Boston to New York tour. There are many good roads and trails in Connecticut, but this leg will probably going to be the diciest part of the whole tour. (It's the first half of my planned day 6, taking me to the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson ferry.)

This is the best I've been able to come up with: Google maps, New Haven - Bridgeport, 21.5 miles

I'll probably post a separate thread about the south shore of Long Island later on. Thanks!

Ken Roberts

Connecticut state bicycle map
covers that area.

Seemed like a reasonable way to ride when Sharon + I went thru there.

Ken

Papa Tom

If you're looking for a scenic ride, stay near the water and pass through Clinton, Madison, Grove Beach, Branford, and Indian Neck. If you just want to make time, skip the CT shore and hop the ferry at New London for Orient Point, Long Island. From there, you can proceed to Greenport and ferry-ride-ferry-ride to the south shore.

neilfein

The problem with the inland route is that eventually, I have to ride over a bridge in to Stratford, and that's where the roads are that I'm worried about. (Until that point, the roads look fine.) The CT bike map isn't of much help in this area (although I used it for my route before this day's riding).

I found an option that adds about 5 miles, but looks like a nicer ride: New Haven - Bridgeport, via Shelton/Derby, 25.4 miles. I'm not thrilled with riding on rt 34/the Derby Turnpike for 7 miles, a divided highway, but it looks like it has a shoulder most of the way. Has anyone ridden on this road?

Of course, plans are up for grabs on any unsupported tour, but it's good to have a plan...

Papa Tom

>>The problem with the inland route is that eventually, I have to ride over a bridge in to Stratford...<<<<<

I've done the entire CT shore from Darien to Rhode island, including the Milford/Stratford area. I THINK I remember the bridge you are describing and it's really nothing to be concerned about. If I recall, I crossed the water on Rt. 1 at that point and it was just like any other little bridge over an inlet.

Between New Haven and Bridgeport, your biggest concerns should be passing through some of the "crack" neighborhoods, which are, essentially, in New Haven and Bridgeport themselves. Other than that, unless you're not really comfortable riding on the road) you should have few worries.

neilfein

Thanks, Tom, good to know. I'll probably decide on which route the morning I leave New Haven.

Papa Tom

Enjoy. I would offer you my cue sheet, but it doesn't really represent the route I used through that area, as things changed the minute I hit the road. If you Google the Connecticut shoreline, it's easy to map a route that hugs the shore. Of course, you might be tempted to make life easy and use Rt. 1 all the way, but you will probably be disappointed in the lack of scenery and the abundance of traffic in many places.

Think Long Wharf/Sargent Drive in New Haven; Rt. 122 to cross the water; then Elm Street to Rt. 162 and choose the branch that runs south of I-95. If distance is not a factor, you can trace a route back to the shore from here and use E. Broadway to ride along the water for a while. Then I'd use Naugatuck Avenue to Rt. 1 and take the Washington Bridge across the water to the Bridgeport area. There's a small sidewalk along this bridge and no signs I can remember saying that bikes are prohibited. From the other side of the bridge, look at Rt 130 to 113/133 and loop it all the way around, past the Sikorsky Airport and onto Lordship Blvd. Stay with 113/130 until it becomes Stratford Blvd (Rt. 130). Continue on Stratford through the armpit of Bridgeport (don't stop here), cross under I-95, cross the water, and make a left onto Water Street. This will take you to the ferry terminal.

These are VERY loose suggestions. My goal was to make a four-day trip out of a 1 or 2 day ride, so I weaved in and out of every nook and cranny I could find between Bridgeport and Newport, RI. I did the same when I rode what should have been a short hop from Bridgeport to Darien. You may be in another mindset and want to just get there fast.

Good luck, and contact me if you need any other suggestions!

JoeOxfordCT

I have ridden that section of RT 34 from New Haven into Orange....
It's ok...I would maybe try to avoid doing that section during morning or afternoon drive time but hey, it's only 7 miles....unless your pulling a child in a trailer I wouldn't worry about it.

J.