Wear-a-mug 100K

I needed a big ride this weekend to prepare for D2R2 so I decided on riding to Lake Waramaug and then try some new stuff around New Preston.  By new stuff, looking for more dirt roads to ride.

While I had planned to leave around 6:30 I finally got on the bike at 7:45 and it was actually better that I left a little later because it warmed up.  Still, riding in cooler temperatures I opted for an extra layer under my jersey that was perfect for some of the descents earlier in the morning and helped wick more sweat when it got warmer.

There were some spectacular views from Hut Hill Road that I never knew existed, then again, I don't think I have ever been this route before, I always take 133 to get to Bridgewater.  I went this way to keep off the main road.  It was well worth the detour.

This new route took me the back way into Mine Hill and subsequently Judd's Bridge for a very cooling descent and then up one of my favorite gradual ascents, Walker Brook.

Dropping down into New Preston I chose a route to Lake Waramaug that I probably should have reconnoitered better because it was an insane climb, Finlay Road.

It was a bitch but I made it.

A nice, fast descent off this hill (probably should have just ridden up through the center of town) took me into the top of New Preston and then I was on West Shore Road and enjoying the scenery of Lake Waramaug.

There was an equal amount of cyclists as there were runners on East and Shore Roads, as well as people out for a morning stroll.  Runners were pretty good, staying two abreast but some were far out in the lane, posing a hazard to cyclists (me) and cars who might be coming around a blind corner, but the walkers were the worst.  I had my bell and gave them warning but they seemed reluctant to make room.

I noticed someone pacing me into 3 mile but when I hit the headwind I lost it and he passed me.  Of course, he was lean and mean on a TT bike but he liked my Cannondale!  The majority of the cyclist seemed to be destination riders on flat bar and comfort bikes.  There was one couple on a tandem and another guy on an hold school Cannonale mountainbike with a Headshok.  We high-fived each other because we both new we were riding vintage Cannondale bikes.

I got screwed at the end of the lake because my Garmin, which is supposed to have turn by turn directions, doesn't tell me when to turn so I missed the turn off to Filtration Rd, which by the way coming the other direction is a much more suitable climb that I might have to try sometime.  Also, the next time I ride up to Waramaug I might try doing a few laps, too.  And of course, there is a Strava Segment for that, too.

My time is way off so I am going to have to work on that.  Maybe on my next ride up to the lake I will pick a more direct route and then ride a few laps, as well as try the route in the opposite direction.  Might have to bring the bar cam and get come video, too.

The highlight was finding Whittlesey Rd, which started out as an oil & gravel road but at the top of the first climb turned over to dirt! 

From the top of that climb is an awesome descent in which to pass by some ultra chi-chi private school.  I went right on this road called Sabbaday Lane which turned into another monster climb.  Then it was Rt 109 down into Washington and on towards Steep Rock.

Crossing over the Shepaug at the entrance to the Steep Rock Reservation is a great spot for a little bike porn.

Then ride the rail trail down and through my favorite Rail Road Tunnel, out to Tunnel Road and then up Judds Bridge for a pit stop at the Roxbury Market for another bottle of water and black and white cookie.  The market is 2/3s of the way through the route and a great place to recharge.  It turns out that Roxbury Market gets all of it's pastries from the Blue Colony diner in Newtown.  

Then I rode down to the Southbury and over the I-84 pedestrian bridge only to get lost in the rabbit warren of small streets near Lake Zoar.

I decided not to stop at the Village Perk because I was running out of time just pushed towards home.

My third 100K ride this year and I am really starting to like this distance!  Riding to Lake Waramaug is definitely happening again, probably with some variation.

Cape Cod Canal 100K Ride

Waited for the rain to stop before heading out

Tested out a new top tube pack and bell using a bar extender.
Everything worked great and the top tube bag will be excellent for commuting!

The Shinning Sea Bikeway was devoid of people

It got wet again

Finally met another cyclist who I passed on the way back, too

Riding under the Bourne Bridge

And the Sagamore Bridge, too

On the Canal Bikeway

Bike Fishermen

Cape Cod Railway to the left

The siding is used for the tourist train to change direction

Another bike fisherman

Train bridge, never seen it down

There used to be Y here

Awesome Bike Routes on the Cape

Sun poked out on the Shinning Sea Bikeway north of Woodshole

Nantucket Bay

Longest Ride to date!

Connecitcut East Coast Greenway Ride: Simsbury to Southwick, MA

The final stretch into Mass is really long and mostly uninterrupted

At the end of the line we gathered for some pictures and a few cold ones before getting on a bus and driving back to New Haven.  

We rode 57 miles and it was a blast.  I want to do this again, only ride to Southwick and then back doing the Collinsville extension, too!

Connecitcut East Coast Greenway Ride: Farmington to Simsbury

After Plainville we rode into Farmington and picked up the trail

Really straight through here for quite a few miles and a nice interrupted stretch

As I was crossing the Farmington River I reached into my back pocket to pull my camera out and I was slowing down so I take a picture.  Up ahead of me there was a father with two children who were jumping back and fourth between the outlook points.  The little girl saw me, panicked, and jumped out in front of me and I ran into her.

Fortunately, I was going slow enough that my tire just pushed her down but I was out of the saddle and I miraculously unclipped and went over the bars but landed on my feet. It scarred the piss out of the little girl (literally) and almost out of me, too.  I was more more concerned for her well being than my own at first but her father assured me she was OK.  Then I looked to myself and couldn't believe that I didn't have any scrapes or cuts

After all that, I still managed to get a couple of pictures of the River and the Trail's namesake.

 

Crossing into Simsbury

 

The Fred-mobile.  I picked up this under the top tube bag at NEMBAFest the week prior knowing that it would be perfect for this bike.  It holds two tubes, multitool, airpump and still has room for a backup Guu pack or two!  Since this was an unsupported ride I brought a seatpack with extra food but it was really unnecessary.  Next time I do something like this I am going to find a way to mount my Timbukt2 Toptube pouch to hold my camera and additional snacks, as well my Blackberry because it cut out half way through the ride again. 

Lunch was awesome!