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Kathy's Watch Hill Ride
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NOTE: This Ride Description and its
corresponding Route Sheet may not have been checked for accuracy by the www.ctbikeroutes.org team
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Total Distance: 42.6
miles Elevation
Gain: 1716 feet
Degree of Difficulty Index: 1716 ft / 42.6 mi = 40.28
ft/mi Terrain: Rolling
Killer Hills: One
respectable hill ½ mile on Pequot Trail on the way out.
Geographical Region:
Southeast Connecticut
Starting Location (city/town): Ledyard
Starting Location (detailed directions to): At the intersection of Routes 214
and 117 in Ledyard; park in the post office parking area
Ride
Description: This is my
favorite local ride! It features
easy riding on shady back roads, although there are some sunny stretches that
can be blistering on a hot day. You can run into some beach traffic on the
Westerly-Watch Hill section of the ride and on Route 1, but youll also catch
a sea breeze. Stop at the Watch
Hill beach—easy if you dont have a car to park—for a swim, then
head to the Olympia Tea Room for clam chowder, lime rickeys and the worlds
best lobster rolls.
Facilities
and Points of Interest:
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Mile
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Facilities
- Points of Interest
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6.7
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At the top of Pequot Hill theres a pretty stone wall and
shady tree—watch out for poison ivy! You will begin to smell the salt
air as you head down the next stretch of road.
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17.3
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When you arrive at
the Avondale island, take a 2 minute detour to see the Perennial Garden.
Bear left, continuing about 0.1 mi. On your
left, youll see the garden (apparently the work of a private home
owner). Its well maintained
and shows different colors throughout the year. When youre done, head back
the way you came to the island, and continue your ride.
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19.8
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You are riding the
wrong way on a narrow one-way street. CAUTION!
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19.9
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This is a
beautiful beach with a lifeguard, no parking, no facilities, and no
waves— just swimming.
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20.7
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The Olympia Tea
Room is in downtown Watch Hill, on your right. You can sit outside!
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32.5
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On your return
trip, Al Harvey Road, with its stone walls and horse farms is among the
most scenic of any we have traveled.
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www.ctbikeroutes.org Ride description: Wu-New036
Route sheet: RS-New036
Ride
submitted by: Kathy Eldergill,
9/4/06 (updated 10/29/06)
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