Author Topic: Route Advice - ~6 day tour in CT, MA, and VT/NY  (Read 4096 times)

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Offline GoodyGood

Route Advice - ~6 day tour in CT, MA, and VT/NY
« on: March 02, 2017, 11:39:18 am »
Howdy,

A friend and I are planning a short tour starting and ending in Hartford, CT up through MA to either the Green Mountain in VT or over to NY. Here is the first proposed route: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/967+Asylum+Avenue,+Hartford,+CT+06105,+USA/42.33623,-73.233957/42.7338508,-73.076131/43.2526923,-72.8908233/@42.5114486,-73.5294913,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6535a0300cc15:0x2c4a71e8d494ca9a!2m2!1d-72.6973561!2d41.7709105!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-73.0775948!2d42.7332189!3s0x89e0c766f1619f05:0xee3171f4272007c4!1m0!3e1

Here is an amended route that cuts down on the mileage for days 3/4 and also avoids some hills: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/967+Asylum+Avenue,+Hartford,+CT+06105,+USA/42.33623,-73.233957/42.7338508,-73.076131/Chestnut+Woods+State+Forest,+Cambridge,+NY/@42.6054926,-73.2248304,9z/data=!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e6535a0300cc15:0x2c4a71e8d494ca9a!2m2!1d-72.6973561!2d41.7709105!1m0!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e085542481f441:0x4e9388b743159f84!2m2!1d-73.2794846!2d43.0236358!3e1

He and I are definitely novices to touring. I've done overnights of the first leg of that route a few times solo, and the big hill is definitely non-negligible for me. My friend has even less experience. We are planning for mid- to late summer, and we both plan to train for the ride before then.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with routes around there and can offer advice on scenery, road condition (cars, pavement, etc), and anything else tour-relevant.

Thanks!
« Last Edit: March 02, 2017, 11:42:15 am by GoodyGood »

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Route Advice - ~6 day tour in CT, MA, and VT/NY
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2017, 02:42:42 pm »
Heh. Back in September I rode through Blandford, MA on the second day of a tour from Brattleboro, VT to Philadelphia. I came from the west on U.S. 20 to Russell and then took Blandford Stage (which becomes Russell Stage) up to MA 23 in Blandford and continued west on MA 23 through severe rollers. Getting up to MA 23 required 1,100' of climbing in 4 miles. It started off pretty gentle so I thought "This isn't as bad as it looked on Ride With GPS." I was eventually in for a rude awakening. When I finally wandered into a store near Tolland Reservoir the cashier asked me how I was doing. I looked at her and replied "I've felt better." Your way looks slightly easier, but it's still a bear. In any event, MA 23 could have moderate traffic, but there appears to be a good shoulder.

If you look on Street View, you will see that U.S. 7 has some traffic and little or no shoulder in places between Pownal and Bennington. You might want to stick with parallel side roads, which are also visible on Street View. For me, the charm of New England is found off the beaten path.

How do you plan to get back? Reverse direction? The reason I ask is that Amtrak's Vermonter train has walk on bike service for a limited number of bikes. No boxing required. I used to get to Brattleboro for the start of my tour. Arrived right on time. You could ride over to one of the station along the route and tale the train home. It's my understanding that the service is very popular (several people got on and off with bikes at various stations during my trip), so reservations well in advance are strongly recommended.

Offline GoodyGood

Re: Route Advice - ~6 day tour in CT, MA, and VT/NY
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2017, 08:07:21 am »
Yes, I moved from Minneapolis and hadn't ever biked hills before. That climb up to Blandford was certainly harder than I anticipated!

Thanks for the advice about route 7 and also the train.