The next ride is ready to go. All we need is you.
Sunday, October 14th, at 8:30 am
Why "Goshen Split"? Because once we get to Goshen (CT), you have three choices of how you'd like to go. Pick the one that suits your mood and your schedule! Here's the routes--suggest you print this out, and also bring a map:
All:
1. Leave Branchville Motors, turn right on Rt. 7 south.
2. Turn left on Rt. 107 east.
3. Bear left to Rt. 58 north.
4. Turn right on Rt. 302 east.
5. Turn left on Rt. 25 north, then right on Rt. 6, to I-84 east.
6. I-84 east to exit 14, Rt. 172 north. (This is just 3 exits away.)
7. Rt. 172 north. Turn left on Rt. 67.
8. Rt. 67 north to Roxbury, and Rt. 199 north.
9. Rt. 199 north to Rt. 47 north.
10. Turn right onto Rt. 109 east.
11. Turn left onto Rt. 209 north.
12. In Litchfield, turn left onto Rt. 63 north. NOTE: We should stop for gas in Litchfield. Also, if people want to grab some coffee or something, I'm open to suggestions--I don't know Litchfield well.
This part shouldn't take more than 2 hours.
Now you have some choices. Keep in mind that each of these routes is quite scenic, although Rt. 8 is more highway-style riding than the others.
A. Rt. 7 back south. Estimated time to Branchville: 1.5 hours.
1. In Goshen, go
left at the traffic circle onto Rt. 4 west.
2. Rt. 4 goes through mountains and state forests and connects with Rt. 7.
3. Turn left on Rt. 7 south to go back to Branchville.
B. Rt. 8 back south. Estimated time to Branchville: 2 hours.
1. In Goshen, go
right at the traffic circle onto Rt. 4 east.
2. Stay on Rt. 4 until you come to Rt. 8. Turn right to go south.
3. Rt. 8 south will take you to (in order) I-84, the Merritt Parkway, and I-95.
C. The long way around! Estimated time to Branchville: 3 hours.
1. In Goshen, go
straight through the circle and continue north on Rt. 63.
2. In Canaan, turn right onto Rt. 44 east. Soon after that turn is a cafe that might be a good lunch choice.
3. In Norfolk, turn right onto Rt. 272 south.
4. Rt. 272 south intersects Rt. 4 in Torrington. From there, get on Rt. 8 south.
That's it--free will. We should be seeing some pretty good fall colors in these little Connecticut hill towns. As before, we'll kick off at 8:30 in Branchville's parking lot (the second one). Please make sure you arrive fuelled up--there are gas stations all over Rt. 7. Also, the morning may be brisk.
Also: please take note that these routes have lots of trees. Expect leaves on the roads, and early in the morning, it's reasonable to assume some may be wet, especially in the shadows. Ride safe!
Questions, PM me here, or email me at branchville.rat at gmail dot com. As always, tell your friends, we're looking forward to seeing everyone who can come out!
--Mike
