Lake Quonnipaug to Lyman Orchards Ride – extended version

 

NOTE: This Ride Description and its corresponding Route Sheet may not have been checked for accuracy by the www.ctbikeroutes.org team

 

Total Distance:  34.5 miles                Elevation Gain:  1562 feet  

 

Degree of Difficulty Index:  1562 ft / 34.5 mi = 44.44 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 1: During the summer months, parking 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.

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Note 2: This ride is a variation of the 28-mile Lake Quonnipaug to Lyman Orchards Ride.

 

Ride Description:  This ride travels through sections of North Guilford, Durham, Middlefield and Middletown 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.  Wadsworth Falls and Wadsworth Falls State Park (seasonal bathrooms) are interesting places for a quick visit.   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.

 

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
12.4	Wadsworth Falls on the right
13.7	Wadsworth Falls State Park on the right (bathrooms)
21.0	Lyman Orchards Farm Store; duck pond;  food, beverages & bathrooms available (views)
23.9	Durham Green, Durham Town Hall & Durham Public Library; bathrooms in Town Hall
31.6	Llama farm on left just after intersection
32.1	Our Lady of Grace Monastery (views of grounds)
32.8	Start tour along Lake Quonnipaug (views); road is narrow in spots and winding
34.5	Lake Quonnipaug (Guilford) Town Beach (views)

 

www.ctbikeroutes.org                                  Wu-New010                           RS-New010    

Ride submitted by:  Don Shildneck (5/9/06)