Papa Tom

Two days just opened up for me this weekend (August 10-11) and my wife and I would like to take a little overnighter. Someone suggested Essex, CT as a cool place to visit and take a Trolley/Steamboat tour, among other things. This person is not a cyclist, though, and did not take notice of whether this town is bike-friendly.

Does anybody know if there's a rail trail (or something similar) to take my wife out on, just in case the rest of the touristy stuff is a bust?

gearheadgeek

Sorry for the last minute reply - I don't check the forums much.

I live in central CT, about 20 mins from Essex. Essex is a great little town. Pretty small "downtown", but a couple of restaurants (I like the Black Seal, many prefer the Griswold Inn), nice riverfront harbor, small shops, and very scenic. The CT River museum is great. The Steam train and boat tour is fun. No rail trail that I'm aware of, but many very scenic and rural roads in the area.

You can have a great time riding around the area. South to Old Saybrook and the shore, or you can go East from Saybrook into Old Lyme (my commute brings me this way). Just north of Essex you have Deep River and Chester, both with small "downtown" areas. I love Chester, there's a good pub/restaurant called the Pattaconk. Also other restaurants and some small shops. West out of downtown Essex will bring you to Ivoryton, so named because of the ivory based industries centered there many years ago. Many small, lightly traveled roads in all directions. Well, not directly east unless you want to swim first...

I plan to put in a bunch of miles Sunday afternoon, maybe going through Essex. Maybe I'll see you on the road.

Papa Tom

Thanks, Gearhead.

When nobody responded, I began to suspect that this might not be a good idea. Instead, I'm trying to plan an overnight in either New Paltz or Poughkeepsie, NY to ride the trails there.

I will put your info aside for another trip, as we travel to CT a lot!

(By the way, I have ridden all of the Connecticut shoreline, including many of the places you mentioned. For the benefit of others, I can second your recommendations above!)

ct-vt-trekker

Sorry I din't see this until tonight. I live in Essex and also lead rides from Essex for several bike clubs. The Essex area is one of the best bike riding areas of Connecticut. There are dozens of rides starting from Essex. For a list of many go to Search Connecticut Bike Routes and Rides and enter Essex for starting town.

Many people from around Connecticut travel up to an hour to come here to ride. There's a nice mix of flat too hilly rides along the Connecticut river, south Old Saybrook or nroth to Chester. The roads have very little traffic especially when you get off the state numbered routes and get onto town roads.

Tom you should come! I can give you more details if you'd like.

Papa Tom

>>>Tom you should come! I can give you more details if you'd like.<<<<

Thanks, Trekker. Maybe some other time?

ct-vt-trekker

Sure any time.
Lots of good riding in the area. I know you like coastal routes so a loop down by the shore might interest you. September is the best month as lots of summer only people leave after Labor day.