Connecticut Riders
05-26-09, 01:58 PM
#126
Eternal Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Connecticut
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I'm in eastern Fairfield County, a little bit south of Monroe's Webb Mountain Park. I'm not a strong rider yet, but I put in about 8-10 miles on a typical day, doing things like travelling to the library and back.
I'm the Fred on a hybrid, wearing an orange vest, stopped at the side of the road with a map out, trying to figure out which streets to take based on a calculus of:
1.) Pavement that won't shake me off my saddle
2.) Traffic that won't squash me between a semi and a stone wall
3.) Climbs that won't tempt me to get off the bike and walk and/or
4.) Descents that won't have me riding the brakes until the wheels melt.
On the good side, I am taking hills a lot easier than I was this time last year. On the bad side, I wiped out pretty good about a week ago, and my road rash is still healing. With some rain in the forecast, it's about time to take the bike in for a tuneup.
Keivn
I'm the Fred on a hybrid, wearing an orange vest, stopped at the side of the road with a map out, trying to figure out which streets to take based on a calculus of:
1.) Pavement that won't shake me off my saddle
2.) Traffic that won't squash me between a semi and a stone wall
3.) Climbs that won't tempt me to get off the bike and walk and/or
4.) Descents that won't have me riding the brakes until the wheels melt.
On the good side, I am taking hills a lot easier than I was this time last year. On the bad side, I wiped out pretty good about a week ago, and my road rash is still healing. With some rain in the forecast, it's about time to take the bike in for a tuneup.
Keivn
05-26-09, 02:03 PM
#127
JoeWolcottCT
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Wolcott, CT
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What are snoballs ?
If they originated in N'awlins...then I'm sure I'd like them.....
Mmmm, crawfish, hurricane punch, smokin hot live music......(sigh)
I need to go back soon....
If they originated in N'awlins...then I'm sure I'd like them.....
Mmmm, crawfish, hurricane punch, smokin hot live music......(sigh)
I need to go back soon....
Originally Posted by Panic
I did some walking around - so that helped a lot.
We arrived on Saturday - pizza with family then Snoballs
sunday - beignets, then mexican dinner for mother's day, sno-balls, left over pizza
Monday- was in for a funeral, didn't eat lunch till post services - so that cut down on the food intake. Sandwiches, then watched hockey game with a pizza.
Really didn't have time to eat so much, lots of family time.
Going back home in a couple of weeks, I'll see what damage I can do.
Actually trip before this we had crawfish, shrimp po-boys, more snoballs and beignets at least 2x - gained 1 lb.
We arrived on Saturday - pizza with family then Snoballs
sunday - beignets, then mexican dinner for mother's day, sno-balls, left over pizza
Monday- was in for a funeral, didn't eat lunch till post services - so that cut down on the food intake. Sandwiches, then watched hockey game with a pizza.
Really didn't have time to eat so much, lots of family time.
Going back home in a couple of weeks, I'll see what damage I can do.
Actually trip before this we had crawfish, shrimp po-boys, more snoballs and beignets at least 2x - gained 1 lb.
05-26-09, 02:05 PM
#128
JoeWolcottCT
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Location: Wolcott, CT
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05-26-09, 02:15 PM
#129
Rocking the roads of Bama
Originally Posted by JoeOxfordCT
05-27-09, 11:56 AM
#130
Eternal Newbie
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Location: Connecticut
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Originally Posted by Panic
hansen's is over-rated for me. I'm thinking about opening up a place in Bama and will get a sno wizard machine instead.
https://www.hostesscakes.com/snowballs.asp
Kevin
05-28-09, 07:33 AM
#131
Senior Member
CT Riders
I'm from Long Island, but one of my favorite rides is from either the Bridgeport or New London ferry terminals to Narragansett, Rhode Island, roughly following Rt. 1 and A1A. Along the way, I like to stop in Old Saybrook, Mystic, Old Stonington, and the Westerly beaches.
05-29-09, 05:17 PM
#132
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Western Ma.
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I'm from Springfield but spend a lot of time riding in Enfield/Somers/Windsor. If you see the yellow fendered bike its me
05-30-09, 02:05 PM
#133
BikeNewbie
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Hamden, CT USA
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Checking in with the CT riders...I'm in Hamden, and I generally ride the Farmington Canal trail into Cheshire at least once or twice a week. I can just about make it from the new construction end of the trail in Hamden to the end of the finished construction in Cheshire (just past the Lock 12 museum, Cornwall Ave) and home again without dying. 
If anyone is ever looking for a partner to cruise with - one who is not a speed demon - let me know.
If anyone is ever looking for a partner to cruise with - one who is not a speed demon - let me know.
05-30-09, 08:55 PM
#134
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I'm in West Hartford and usually ride from my house to the Simsburys, the Granbys, the Notch area, Granville, MA. Also, I do group rides around Middlefield, Kensington, Durham, etc. Sometimes I drive over to Litchfield County and ride from West Cornwall up to Twin Lakes, around Salisbury. Just to mention a few. All are beautiful rides with very varying terrain.
06-19-09, 11:35 AM
#135
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Western CT
Posts: 29
Bikes: '07 Sequoia elite Specialized Hardrock Univega Tandem Sport Schwinn world sport
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I am near Lake Waramaug and I like riding the back roads to Kent and Litchfield areas. The best thing about riding these hills are the descents....there are a few that are long and fast. Looking forward to this year's Tour of the Litchfield Hills....and it maybe done on the tandem!!!!!!
06-22-09, 04:16 AM
#136
JoeWolcottCT
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I haven't gotten up to Lake Waramaug on my bike yet this year but riding around the lake is one of my favorite rides.....then I usually head home via RT109, RT47, RT199.....and if I'm feeling good, RT317 back into Woodbury. Some big hills on RT317 !!! 
Originally Posted by sneezy
I am near Lake Waramaug and I like riding the back roads to Kent and Litchfield areas. The best thing about riding these hills are the descents....there are a few that are long and fast. Looking forward to this year's Tour of the Litchfield Hills....and it maybe done on the tandem!!!!!!
06-23-09, 07:43 PM
#137
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pittsfield, MA
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I'm in Guilford enjoying the nice flat riding along the shore. Quite a change from hilly CA.
06-24-09, 11:46 AM
#140
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Western CT
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Ridden mostly back roads in Roxbury but would like to ride 317...gotta get strong on hills. The Ride for Rick in Woodbury in Sept. is a good one.
06-24-09, 12:58 PM
#141
Senior Member
Thanks, Johnny K. I have crossed this bridge in both directions many times, but, while I know exactly how to do it heading from New London to Groton, I always get lost coming back the other way!
06-25-09, 07:01 PM
#143
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Western CT
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Rode the Bloomin' Metric on the tandem in May. Norwalk to Westport and Southport up to the reservoir in Easton. Great scenic riding along the coast for us who see mostly woods and hills inland!!!! Hope to ride in the Madison- Guilford area some day soon.
06-26-09, 11:16 AM
#144
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CT
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Hello all. I just bought a road bike (Kestrel Talon) after riding only a mountain bike for the last 8 years. I live in Darien in Fairfield County and hope to meet up with groups going on weekend rides. I'm a 40-something at an intermediate level and currently feel comfortable on rides up to 40 miles. Can anyone recommend riding groups? I've seen the Sound Cyclists web site. I've also seen people meeting at the Darien train station on Saturday mornings. What's that all about? Also, where are the best places nearby to cruise nice picturesque country roads without much traffic? I've found most everything near the shore to be a death-zone.
06-30-09, 12:57 PM
#145
Two wheels, two skis...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dudley, MA
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So, anyone ride in NE CT anymore? I thought GuitarWizard did.
I'm still throwing myself up and down the walls of Bigelow Hollow on a weekly basis, if anyone hates themselves enough to join me. If I ride from my house in Dudley (a mile from the border) I can get in a good 30 mile, 2550 ft elevation ride by going to just to the west side of the hollow and back.
I'm still throwing myself up and down the walls of Bigelow Hollow on a weekly basis, if anyone hates themselves enough to join me. If I ride from my house in Dudley (a mile from the border) I can get in a good 30 mile, 2550 ft elevation ride by going to just to the west side of the hollow and back.
07-09-09, 06:25 AM
#146
Newbie
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Hi, all. I live in Norwalk; looking for bike routes from here that won't get me run over by a car. I usually do a route from Norwalk, up Rt 123 to 35 to Ridgefield, then back down 33/ 106. That's about 25 miles, but now I looking for longer routes. Any suggestions?
It seems the best way to avoid traffic is to leave very early, which is OK since it's cooler. I leave around 6:00am on a Sat for 3-4 hours. I work a lot during the week, so I gotta go when I can.
Knacker, we're close ..
It seems the best way to avoid traffic is to leave very early, which is OK since it's cooler. I leave around 6:00am on a Sat for 3-4 hours. I work a lot during the week, so I gotta go when I can.
Knacker, we're close ..
07-10-09, 01:57 PM
#147
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
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Originally Posted by Tubby
Just moved to Westport. My usual route so far is the Bethel loop, though I haven't managed to hook up with any groups yet.
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Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
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Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
07-10-09, 08:17 PM
#148
was kung-fu fighting
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Connecticut
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Shelton\trumbull line right here...road and MTB...just checkin in...
07-13-09, 09:19 AM
#149
Junior Member
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Location: CT
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I started a Google Map to record good roads to ride on (see sig below). Maybe this would be helpful to others looking for places to ride. Too bad you can't draw red lines for roads to avoid.
07-13-09, 10:03 PM
#150
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 156
Bikes: Panisonic Dx2000(R.I.P), Panasonic DX 5000, Panasonic DX 1000, Trek 530, Schwinn Varsity, Motobecane Mirage, other bikes that I've garbage picked or found
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I live in West Haven, but go to school in Storrs, I ride vintage bikes mostly and like to do rides for distance. Some of my favorite rides in west haven are from the high school (near home) along the shore down into stratford and then up to derby and home. Up at Storrs, I enjoy riding down 44 and exploring the backcountry where there are no cars.
