Peter's North Central Connecticut Grand Prix

Total Distance:  33.2 miles                        Elevation Gain:  1155 feet  

Degree of Difficulty Index:  1155 ft / 33.2 mi. = 34.79 ft/mi       Terrain:  Rolling

Killer Hills:           None

Geographical Region:  North Central Connecticut

Starting Location (city/town):  Colony Shops Plaza parking lot, 978 Sullivan Ave. (Rt. 194), So. Windsor (ample parking available)

Starting Location (detailed directions to):  I-84 East Exit 62; left @ light onto Buckland Rd.; proceed for ~ 2.5 miles and cross Rt. 30 @ light onto Sullivan Ave.; continue for ~ 1.0 mile to Colony Shops Plaza on right at light (directly across from Geisslers Supermarket)

Ride Description:  This interesting ride is over rolling terrain (with many flat sections and a couple of hills) and uses mostly back roads while passing through portions of the towns of So. Windsor, East Windsor, Somers and Ellington.  Amongst the interesting sights along the route are numerous dairy and cattle farms, plant nurseries, a double-crossing of the Scantic River, tobacco fields w/ their drying barns, golf courses, a fair grounds and the Skylark Airport.  While there is no designated lunch stop on the route, Ellington Green w/ its gazebo can be reached easily by turning left at the light @ mile cue 25.3 and following Rt. 140 for ~ 0.25 miles to the green and nearby food shops.  There aren't many convenience stores or food shops along the routeso govern your preparations and actions accordingly.  

Facilities and Points of Interest:    

www.ctbikeroutes.org

Ride description:  Wu-New154

Route sheet:  RS-New154

Ride submitted by: Peter DiPietro, 3/4/08 (updated 3/16/08)