May 2012 Thank you Rami! The Bicycling Committee wants to thank Rami Haddad for all of his tremendous effort in putting GPX tracks to all of the CTBikeRoutes. This is over 400 routes, and this benefits those that have GPS, and more importantly, it provides the route on a map. To explain better what this means, the following explanation is from Pete Salomone in an e-mail to the AMC Newsletter Editor: The track for "Bobbie's Cromwell to Lyman Orchards Ride" is the red line which is made up of about 2000 red dots. Each dot is a latitude & longitude with accuracy of + or - 15ft. The track does not include a map; it's just the line. A GPS unit requires a map to give the points a reference. Mapping websites includes maps like Google's so you can see where the track goes. Most mapping sites generate cue sheets, but the cues have a small percentage of errors, so the cues on the CT Bike Routes sites should still be used. A computer file of the red points can be downloaded into a GPS using a PC. Pete also states, I did a two week tour in Tuscany using just a GPS. I got lost twice both times in towns - once where the streets were narrow and the buildings tall, so satellites did not pick up my movement and once when there were three hotels within one block. I didn't know the name of ours. I believe Rami Haddad generated the GPS tracks by following the cues on CT Bike Routes. A task of a few hundred hours. Rami has been an active AMC member and ride leader who has led rides out of Middletown and last year did a weekend trip to New Hampshire. This benefits not only AMCyclists, it is a benefit for all cyclists. AMC Bicycling Committee Thank you Ride Leaders! The weather cooperated for April to give us plenty of spring riding. The AMC Bicycling Committee thanks all leaders who led rides in April. Keep up the good work and for giving the members a group ride, a new adventure or an old familiar place to ride and enjoy.
MAY RIDES WEEKNIGHTS Participants are asked to provide their own cue/ride sheets unless otherwise noted. Directions, cue/ride sheets, and description may be found at www.ctbikeroutes.org. All rides are listed on the Web at ct-amc.org/cycling/bikelistings.htm and include the specific link to the cue sheet. Weeknight Bike Rides Tuesday Manchester, CT** Weeknight Bike Rides Thursday Essex, CT** May 1,8,15,22,29 (RC,TR,FL/RL CUE 11-22mph) Rides of 15-42 miles, Connecticut, East of River, CT. Meet at 5:45p.m for prompt 6:00p.m. start at Jo-Ann s Fabrics. Helmets are required. Lights and reflective wear are strongly recommended for safety reasons. The traditional Tuesday night ride series returns with routes of varying paces and distances. The ride goes over mild terrain past fields and farms in South Windsor, East Windsor and Ellington. Distances will increase as daylight hours get longer. Riders will join groups based on pace, each with its own leader. The faster groups will ride the longer distances. Sample distances and paces include 18 miles at a 14 to 15 mph avg. pace, 23 miles at a 17 mph avg. pace, and 42 miles at a 22 mph avg. pace. Directions: I-84 East to Exit 62, left at end of ramp, then left at third light onto Pleasant Valley Rd. Right into shopping center to Jo-Ann s. Park near the former Bugaboo Restaurant. From I-84 West, taken Exit 62, left onto Pleasant Valley Rd., then right into the shopping center. Possible dinner after the ride at a local restaurant chosen by participants. May 3,10,17,24,31 Essex, Connecticut, West of River, CT. (RC, FL/RL, 13-17mph) 15-26 miles. Wheels spinning start 6pm prompt. Show-and-Go, several rides of various distances. Meet at old CPL at Essex Exit 3 off Route 9, next to Fire Station. No cue sheet, regroup, no one dropped. Rain cancels. L Finlay Ferguson ((860) 767-8547 before 9pm, finlayferguson@msn.com), L Beverly Medlin ((860) 304-1749 before 9pm, kayaker767@gmail.com), L Mark Henebry ((860) 767-7851 before 9pm, mhenebry@sbcglobal.net) NOTE: This ride is for advanced cyclists who can achieve the speed listed and do hills. ** Thursday rides will be from beginning of April until the end of August. L Wayne Tursi (860-282-9271 Before 9PM), bicycling@ct-amc.org L Judy Borrmann (860-463-9513 Before PM) L Rick Merritt (860-644-4467 Before 9PM), bicycling@ct-amc.org L Ray Taksar (860-247-0191 Before 9PM) L David Waldburger (860-712-6747 Before 9PM)
MAY RIDES-DAYTIME AND WEEKEND Saturday, May 5, Durham Farms and Forests, (RC, Hl, CUE, 13 MPH) 33 miles. Meet at 10:00 to start at 10:15 a.m. from the front parking lot of Strong Middle School, 191 Main St. (Rt. 17), Durham, just south of Rt. 68. Cycle through the rolling hills of Durham, Middlefield, Middletown, and Wallingford, passing dairy farms, wooded areas and reservoirs with a panoramic view of a valley with apple orchards from Powder Hill. This is a NEW route with maximal time on quiet backroads. There are absolutely no stores along this rural route, so bring all necessary supplies, and use the restroom prior to the ride. The leader will supply cue sheets. Directions: From I-91, take Exit 15 to Rt. 68 East for 5 miles. Right on Rt. 17 South, then left into the school. From central Conn., take Rt. 9 to Exit 22S to Rt. 17 South for 5.2 miles. The school is on the left. From eastern coastal Conn., take I-95 to Exit 63 to Rt. 79 North for 14 miles. The school is on the right shortly past the merge with Rt. 17. L Tom Ebersold bikehikekayak123@sbcglobal.net._,_. Mon., May. 7. Tour of Suffield-Suffield, Connecticut, West of River, CT. (SO,Fl/Rl, CUE, RG, 11-13mph) 30.5miles. Meet for prompt 10:AM start at Suffield Village parking lot on Bridge Street near the intersection of Rtes. 75 & 168 in Suffield. This mellow ride meanders around through much of Suffield, briefly cuts into Southwick, MA and features a great (suggested) lunch/ snack stop at Sunrise Park. After visiting the park you'll see more of Suffield's countryside while also getting some interesting views of the Connecticut River. Riders should bring own cue sheets. Rain cancels. L Jo Ann Hewett ((860) 267-4129 Before 9 PM, joannbiker@comcast.net), L George Burger) Directions, cue/ride sheets, and description may be found at www.ctbikeroutes.org Mon., May. 14. Robinson Park Picnic Ride-East Granby, Connecticut, West of River, CT. (RC,FL, CUE, RG,11-13mph) 36.4 miles. Meet for prompt 10:00AM start at East Granby shopping plaza (Center Shops), intersection of Rt. 20 and Rt.187 in East Granby just west of Bradley International Airport. This is a mostly flat ride through rural sections of East Granby and Suffield, Connecticut, Agawam and Southwick, Massachusetts, and has interesting pastoral views along the way. Riders should bring own cue sheets. Rain cancels. L Jo Ann Hewett ((860) 267-4129 Before 9 PM, joannbiker@comcast.net), L George Burger Sat, May. 19. Katy s Fairly Flat Fifty East of River, CT. (RC,FL/RG,CUE,13-15mph) 50 miles. Meet for prompt 10:00AM start at Jo Ann Fabrics. Park near former Bugaboo Creek Restaurant. I-84 East to Exit 62, left at end of ramp, then left at third light onto Pleasant Valley Rd. Right into shopping center to Jo-Ann s. Park near the former Bugaboo Restaurant. From I-84 West, taken Exit 62, left onto Pleasant Valley Rd., then right into the shopping center. Social/recreational ride past fields and farms, cows and horses...through South Windsor, Ellington, East Windsor. Mostly flat with some rolling hills...easy ride. L Katey Reynolds (860) 716-9894 call before 9:00 p.m. sendittokatey@aol.com
FUTURE RIDES & NEW WEEKEND TRIP Mon., May. 21. Bob's Backroads Around Colchester, a.k.a., "The Hebron Hustle", Connecticut, East of River, CT. (Rc,Rl/ Hl,Cue,Rg,11-13mph) 31.2 miles. Meet for prompt 10:00AM start at Ted's Market (small shopping plaza), Rt. 66 in Hebron (0.3 miles east of Rt.316 intersection). Directions: Take Rt. 2, Exit 13 in Marlborough. Go east on Rt. 66 to Hebron. Cross Rt.316 @ traffic light and continue 0.3 miles to Ted's Market plaza on the left This is a neat roller coaster ride along pleasant back roads of Hebron, Lebanon and Colchester with a stop at Lake Williams. There's a 2.3 mile ride along the Air Line Rail Trail in Amston. The trail is hard packed stone dust and is ok for road bikes. The Colchester Green provides a great spot for lunch. Riders should bring own cue sheets. Rain cancels. L Jo Ann Hewett ((860) 267-4129 Before 9 PM, joannbiker@comcast.net), L George Burger GREAT BIKE PATH If you do not want to ride the road, here is an excerpt on the Air Line Rail Trail from the AMC Outdoors, September/ October 2011 Great Bike Paths Compiled by Marc Chalufour Air Line Rail Trail East Hampton to Thompson, Conn. The Air Line was a simple concept: Connect Boston and New York along the shortest route possible. The reality was ill fated, however, hitting numerous engineering and political hurdles. After a brief run in the late 1800s, parts of the route were abandoned for decades. Connecticut began rehabbing it in the 1990s, and the result is a stone-dust and gravel trail through the state's northeast corner. The trail passes massive viaducts, cuts through conserved land, and features views from some of the state's most scenic ridgelines. The trail's southern end is in the best condition. Distance: 49.4 miles one-way Info: ct.gov (search "official greenways") 15TH ANNUAL TRAILS IN MOTION SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012 IRON HORSE BOULEVARD SIMSBURY, CT FARMINGTON VALLEY TRAILS COUNCIL This is a non-amc event, but is published for information purposes only. Visit the Trails-In-Motion website for more information on times and registering at www.fvgreenway.org. BIKE CAPE COD AUGUST 9-12 Thurs thru Sun Stay at Coast Guard Station with ocean view & walk to the beach. Open to intermediate cyclists. Bike on roads, rolling hills & Cape Cod Bike Trail. Three nights, 3 breakfasts & 2 dinners. Other activities available such as kayaking (rental available). To register: 1) Send check for $125 with name, & address to Terry Bludeau, 2 Hearthstone Drive, Simsbury CT 06070. 2) E mail both leaders with name, address & mobile phone number terrybb@msn.com AND co-leader Susan Wallens swallester@gmail.com.
UPCOMING WEEKEND TRIPS MEMORIAL 3- DAY BIKING WEEKEND, HAMPTON BEACH, NEW HAMPSHIRE MAY 25-28. Bike along the scenic coast of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Flat to rolling roads, 20-65 mile options. Stay in lovely fully-furnished three-bedroom beach cottages, 4-5 per cottage with a heated pool, walk to beach; just bring towels. $210 includes three nights lodging with breakfast each day, Friday happy hour, cook-out Saturday, pasta dinner Sunday night. To register, send email address, phone #, AMC membership number and check payable to Rick Merritt. L Rick Merritt ((860) 644-4467 before 9pm, bicycling@ct-amc.org), L Sue Grant ((860) 748-7796), R Rick Merritt (122 E.Center St., Manchester, CT 06040, (860) 644-4467 before 9PM, bicycling@ctamc.org) UPPER CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY BIKING, FAIRLEE, VERMONT GREEN MOUNTAINS, VERMONT SEPTEMBER 14-16. Road bike ride options of 20-65mi. along country roads. Flatter rides along the river with more challenging rides into the hills in VT and NH. Stay at Hulbert Outdoor Center in 3-4 bedroom cabins, 2/room. Cost is $145 includes 2 nights lodging, 2 full breakfasts, Sat. dinner, bedding & towel. Drive up early for an optional ride on Friday. Send your address, email, and phone to Registrar with your check for the full amount payable to Finlay Ferguson. Fee is non-refundable unless leaders find a replacement. Call or email any questions. L Finlay Ferguson ((860) 767-8547 Before 9PM, finlayferguson@msn.com), L Mark Henebry, R Finlay Ferguson, (46 Mitchel Terrace, Ivoryton, CT 06442, ) BICYCLING LAKE CHAMPLAIN, VERMONT IN MID-SUMMER JULY 6 10 Ride along the most historic body of fresh water in North America. Spend two nights in Burlington at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites. Then drive to North Hero and spend two nights at the North Hero House. Will meet mid-day Friday en route to Burlington, location TBD, for first ride. Cue sheets provided daily for various riding options, flat, rolling and hilly. Riders must be experienced and able to maintain bike, no support wagon. Trip includes four nights lodging, two continental breakfasts, two full breakfasts, two happy hours, and one dinner at the North Hero Inn. $400 pp double occupancy, $425 for non-amc members. Deposit $200 non-refundable after 6/1/12 unless a replacement is found. Cancellation fee of $25 applies. Contact Leader prior to registering. R Susan Grant, 83 Lake Shore Drive, Middlefield, CT 06455, (860) 748-7796 (best time to call: before 9pm), sremele@comcast.net, L., Susan Grant, L Bruce Ebbets (860) 878-7227 (best time to call: between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.) bmebbe@sbcglobal.net
Appalachian Mountain Club Connecticut Chapter 32 Highland Ave. Redding, CT 06896 Abbreviation Legend CPL Commuter Parking Lot CUE Cue Sheet Provided FL Flat Terrain HI/HL Hilly Terrain L/CL Leader/Co-Leader MB/MTN Mountain Bike RC Recreational ride RG Regroup during ride RL/RO Rolling terrain SASE Self-Addressed Stamp Envelope SO Social Ride SW Sweep stays with slower riders TR Training Bicycle Committee 2012 Rick Merritt, Committee Chair Susan Grant, Committee Co-Chair Tom Ebersold, Short Notice/E-Mail Coordinator Jo Ann Hewett, Ride Coordinator Terri Pappagallo, Newsletter Editor Wayne Tursi, Connecticut Chapter Chair Web Site For post-publication updates, check the Bicycling calendar on-line at: www.ct-amc.org, click on the Bicycling button. Short Notice Rides To subscribe to ct-amc.bicycling, the notification of upcoming rides that don t make the deadlines for AMC Outdoors and AMC Cyclist, go to the website, type your e-mail address in the box of upcoming rides by e-mail and click on join now. You will receive a confirmation message from Yahoo. Follow the instructions in the message to confirm that you want to join the list..