|
Bucolic Bethlehem (with extension)
Total Distance: 30.8 miles (with options for 13.6 and 17.4 miles) Elevation
Gain: 1886 feet
Degree of
Difficulty Index: 1886 ft /
30.8 mi = 61.23 ft/mi Terrain: Hilly
Killer Hills: Several
short, steep hills and one long, uphill stretch
Geographical
Region: Northwestern Connecticut
City/Town: Bethlehem
Starting Location: Behind
the Bethlehem Public Library, 32 Main Street South (Rt. 61) in Bethlehem,
Connecticut.
Ride
Description: At times hilly
ride by orchards, farms, fields, and forests. Ride through White Memorial
Foundation and along Bantam Lake.
Note: The
route forms a rough figure 8. Doing only the first half of the 8 is a ride of 13.6 miles. Doing only
the second half of the 8
is a ride of 17.4 miles. To ride only the second half, turn left from the
library onto Route 61 north, continue on Route 61 through the 4-way stop sign
and blinker and pick up the cues at mile 14.2.
Facilities and
Points of Interest:
|
Mile
|
Facilities
- Points of Interest
|
|
0.0 - 0.5
|
Bethlehem:
Various facilities
|
|
2.8
|
Flanders Nature Center on left: The Flanders
Nature Center & Land Trust was founded in 1963 by Natalie Van Vleck, an
artist, sculptor and farmer who raised sheep and turkeys on the 200 acres
along Flanders Road in Woodbury, Connecticut, that are now the heart of
Flanders.
The
mission of Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is to promote the
understanding and appreciation of nature, and support the conservation,
preservation, and management of our natural resources.
Over
the years, Flanders' land holdings have grown from the original 200 acres
to more than 1600 acres in the four neighboring towns of Woodbury,
Bethlehem, Middlebury, and Southbury.
A
small professional staff and hundreds of volunteers offer a wide variety of
programs open to all members of the community. The programs offer members
and participants a wide variety of opportunities to celebrate the four
seasons at Flanders!
|
|
16.9
|
Morris:
market, deli, ice cream
|
|
21.3
|
White Memorial Conservation Center: The White Memorial Conservation Center, an Environmental
Education Center and Nature Museum, is located in the heart of the
4000-acre White Memorial Foundation in the hills of northwestern
Connecticut.
In
1964 the Center was established in the former home of Alain White and his
sister, May. Their vision and generosity led to the formation of the White
Memorial Foundation in 1913. A non-profit tax exempt organization, the
Center was incorporated to add the goal of Education to the Conservation,
Research, and Recreation purposes for which the foundation was formed.
The
Conservation Center operates a Nature Museum with exhibits focusing on the
interpretation of local natural history, conservation, and ecology, as well
as a Museum Nature Store. Dormitory and Classroom Facilities on the
property extend the opportunities for visitors to interact with the natural
world.
The outdoor arena includes the
wildlife sanctuary maintained by the White Memorial Foundation. The
Foundation today comprises 4000 acres of fields, water, and woodlands, trails,
campgrounds, boating facilities, and special areas for large outdoor
educational and recreational gatherings.
|
|
|
|
www.ctbikeroutes.org
WU-IL042
DLB02042
|
