Lake Quonnipaug to Lyman Orchards Ride

 

Total Distance:  28.0 miles                Elevation Gain:  1220 feet  

 

Degree of Difficulty Index:  1220 ft / 28.0 mi = 43.57 ft/mi            Terrain:  Rolling

 

Killer Hills: None

 

Geographical Region:  South Central Connecticut

 

City/Town:  Guilford

 

Starting Location: Lake Quonnipaug (Guilford) Town Beach parking lot, Rt. 77, No. Guilford approximately 4 miles north of Route 80, and 6 miles south of Durham.

 

Note: During the summer months, the parking lot is restricted to Guilford residents with beach pass stickers. An alternate parking area is located at the Lake Quonnipaug State Boat Launch, ¼ mile North on Rt. 77. Adjust mileage cues accordingly.

 

Ride Description:  This ride travels through sections of North Guilford, Durham and Middlefield before stopping for a lunch/snack break at the Lyman Orchards farm store.  The route circumnavigates Lake Quonnipaug twice, and passes Our Lady of Grace Monastery on Race Hill Road.  Although the route uses numbered state roads for large portions of the ride, the roads are smooth surfaced and, for the most part, have wide shoulders.  If possible, do this ride during the week to avoid the heavier weekend traffic.

 

Caution:  The RR tracks at the bottom of the hill on Cider Mill Road (route sheet mile cue 12.2) are angled and have a 3-4” groove…and are very dangerous to bikers.  They must be taken slowly and at a 90 degree angle.  Be alert to this situation…do not ride this downhill at fast speeds.

 

Facilities and Points of Interest:    

 

Mile	Facilities - Points of Interest
0.0	Lake Quonnipaug (Guilford) Town Beach (views)
0.0	Start tour along Lake Quonnipaug (views); road is narrow in spots
8.2	Durham Green, Durham Town Hall & Durham Public Library; bathrooms in Town Hall
8.4	Durham Fair Grounds in valley to the left
14.5	Lyman Orchards Farm Store; duck pond;  food, beverages & bathrooms available (views)
17.4	Durham Green, Durham Town Hall & Durham Public Library; bathrooms in Town Hall
25.1	Llama farm on left just after intersection
25.6+	Our Lady of Grace Monastery (views of grounds)
26.3	Start tour along Lake Quonnipaug (views); road is narrow in spots and winding
28.0+	Lake Quonnipaug (Guilford) Town Beach (views)

 

www.ctbikeroutes.org          Wu-IL078 abb            DLB00138