DATE: October 27, 2021
DAY OF WEEK: Wednesday
TIME: 9:30/45am Assembly 10am Ride Start
RAIN DATE: TBD
MEMBERSHIP: Members
COST: Riders responsible for own luncheon expenses
Bikes: The ride is suitable for road or gravel bikes
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RIDERS: 18
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail & Farmington River Trail
THE FARMINGTON CANAL HERITAGE TRAIL
The FCHT, 58 miles of which is paved in Connecticut, stretches from New Haven to the Massachusetts border before continuing into Massachusetts for a total length of 80.2 miles and 11 towns. The multi-use trail runs along abandoned rail corridors and canal tow paths through urban, suburban and rural areas of Southern Connecticut and the Farmington Valley. Along the way are historic buildings, canal locks, the remains of canal aqueducts and other landmarks that provide a rich cultural background for the trail experience. The largest gap remaining is 9.1 miles from southern Farmington, through all of Plainville into northern Southington.
THE FARMINGTON RIVER TRAIL
The FRT is an 18.2-mile loop trail which links to the FCHT at points in Farmington and Simsbury passing through the villages of Unionville and Collinsville and the towns of Burlington and Canton to create a 28.5-mile loop connecting five towns. For much of its length, the trail nestles against the banks of the Farmington River tracing the route of the old “Canal Line” railroad. While the trail passes by some of the area’s loveliest landscapes, it also contains the longest stretches of on road riding.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF RIDE:
We will be doing a 28 mile loop starting and ending on the Farmington Canal Trail. We will be riding on a portion of that trail at the beginning and end of the ride. We will stop at the Drake Hill Flower Bridge in Simsbury at about Mile 8.
We will turn onto the Farmington River Trail and ride the full 18 mile length of this trail. The trail passes through a very nice state park in Simsbury on a smooth dirt path. The trail does have about 3 miles of an on-road section on quiet country roads. The Farmington River Trail passes through the nice old industrial town of Collinsville at mile 17. There is a good ice cream/chocolate shop there if you want to make a quick stop. From Collinsville the trail follows the Farmington River for many miles.
The On the Go Smoothie Cafe at mile 22 is a good option for smoothie if you want to make a quick stop.
We will plan to sit at the end point after the ride for drinks/snacks/lunch. Please bring a chair & bring your own refreshments/lunch.
RELATED WEBSITES:
Meeting Point: Harwood Lane, Avon, CT
https://goo.gl/maps/9ftQUVm1ZZemwfvH9
Farmington Canal & River Trail Map
https://fchtrail.org/pdfs/map_north.pdf
The Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge, Simsbury
https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/culture-parks-recreation/pages/the-old-drake-hill-flower-bridge
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak - Ken Donnelly recommended kayak shop.
https://www.collinsvillecanoe.com
On the Go Smoothie Cafe- Good place for smoothies, panini's, salads & snacks (860-673-2524)
https://www.onthegoct.com/
DISTANCE: 28.1 mile loop, mostly on paved rail trail
PACE: 10-12 mph
LEVEL: C+ AND ABOVE.
CUE SHEET/MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37858752?privacy_code=8fHT8W7GgSTUX0hS
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE:
9:30/45: Assembly at Farmington Vally Greenway Parking, Harwood Lane, Avon, CT
- PortaPotty located here
10:00: Commence Ride
10:45: Stop at Drake Hill Flower Bridge in Simsbury - Two PortaPotties are located nearby
12:00/12:30 Each Pod decides if they want to grab a drink or snack in Collinsville
or at the On the Go Smoothie Cafe.
1:00/1:30- Arrive back at Harwood Lane, Avon
1:30 - 2:00: Depart back to Home
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Ridgefield area to Harwood Lane, Avon, CT
1-Take Route 84 East to Exit 39 (left exit) toward Farmington /CT-4
2- Continue onto State Highway 508 (in 0.6 miles)
3- Turn Right onto CT-10N (in 1.5 miles)
4- Turn Slight Left onto Thompson Rd. (in 1.2 miles)
5- Turn Right onto Harwood Lane (in 0.4 miles)
RIDE LEADER : Roger Van Ausdal
MOBILE: 914-475-7835
EMAIL: vanausdr@gmail.com
