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Gillette Castle 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: 28.6 miles Elevation Gain: 1559 ft
Degree
of Difficulty Index: 1559 ft / 28.63 mi = 54.45 ft/mi Terrain: Rolling
to hilly
Killer
Hills: The route from the ferry to Gillette Castle and beyond to the
intersection w/ Rt. 82 involves ~ 4 miles of uphill climbing; some sections
are quite steep so be prepared for some hard work. Also, the 2 mile ride
from Chester village back to the CPL at the end of the ride is mostly
uphill.
Geographical
Region: Southeastern Connecticut
Starting
Location (city/town): Chester
Starting
Location (detailed directions to): Rt. 9 Exit 9 CPL (Rt. 148) in Chester
Ride
Description: This ride has several interesting features. It uses the
ferry for one of two Connecticut River crossings (the other is over the East
Haddam swing bridge), it travels for several miles along the Connecticut
River on scenic River road, it stops at the Essex Steam Engine facility for
your choo-choo fix, it visits Gillette Castle in mid ride which is an ideal
lunch/snack stop, it visits Deep River Landing w/ spectacular and unusual
views of the Connecticut River and passes thru the villages of Deep River,
Essex, Centerbrook, East Haddam, Tylerville and Chester amongst other
delights. Bring your climbing shoes, though; the climb up River Rd past
Gillette Castle will definitely focus your mind for 20 or 30 minutes.
Facilities
and Points of Interest:
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Mile
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Facilities
- Points of Interest
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2.7
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Commence ~
5 mile ride along the Connecticut River on scenic River Rd
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8.6
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Essex
Steam Engine facility in Centerbrook
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12.8
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Deep River
Landing (views)
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15.8
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Board ferry
for1st crossing of Connecticut River ($2.00 one-way fare for bike and
rider)
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16.8
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Gillette
Castle; roughly mid-ride; enjoy a lunch/snack break (views)
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22.3
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Gelston
House and Good Speed Opera in East Haddam
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22.3+
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2nd
crossing of the Connecticut River; this time on the swingbridge (slippery
when wet)
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27.1
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Chester
village; various interesting shops and places to obtain food and beverages
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www.ctbikeroutes.org
Ride description: Wu-New158
Route sheet: RS-New158
Ride submitted by: Carol Marchion/DPS, 7/10/08 (updated 9/5/08)
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