|
Essex Loop via Joshuatown Road
Total Distance:
29.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1961 feet
Degree of Difficulty Index: 1961 ft / 29.6 mi = 66.25
ft/mi Terrain: Very
hilly
Killer Hills: Joshuatown Road
Geographical Region: South Central Connecticut
City/Town: Essex
Starting Location: Essex Town Hall parking lot near the
tennis courts; from the intersection of Rtes. 153 & 154 in the
Centerbrook section of Essex (Rt. 9 Exit 4), take West Ave. toward Essex for
0.3 miles (approx); turn left just after library onto Grove St. Parking
lot is immediately on your right behind the Town Hall. Park near the
tennis courts.
Ride Description: This interesting and challenging
ride passes through the Otter Cove section of Old Saybrook en route to the
Baldwin Bridge bike trail crossing the Connecticut River. The route
then travels up to Hamburg via mostly back roads before tacking the very
difficult Joshuatown Road route to the Chester Ferry ($2.00 fee). After
debarking from the ferry the ride visits Chester village before heading back
to Essex through Deep River via the classic River Road bike route.
Facilities and Points of Interest:
|
Mile
|
Facilities - Points of Interest
|
|
2.0
|
Start
tour through the Otter Cove development; pay close attention to the route
cues, it's a maze
|
|
4.8
|
Start
bike path over the Connecticut River via the Baldwin Bridge
|
|
6.2
|
A&P
plaza; bathrooms in A&P; various shops in plaza
|
|
12.9
|
Hamburg
village; general store
|
|
13.7+
|
Scenic
bridge over Eightmile River at Hamburg Cove; start of serious hills on
Joshuatown Rd
|
|
19.5
|
Chester-Hadlyme
Ferry ($2.00 fee); possible lunch/snack stop
|
|
21.1
|
Chester
village; various shops
|
|
23.0
|
Deep
River Green on corner; grocery store on left
|
|
23.5
|
Start
4-mile ride along Connecticut River (views)
|
|
28.4
|
Essex
business district; various shops and eateries; convenience store
|
|
28.5
|
Public
restrooms in little park beside the post office and New Alliance Bank on
right
|
|
28.8
|
Connecticut
River Museum; Essex town boat launch and Essex town dock/pier (views)
|
www.ctbikeroutes.org
Wu-IL080 abb
DLB02095
|
