Triumphrat

ridin-gaijin · 08-30-2007

Hello everyone in Connecticut and eastern New York!

We will be starting up a new RAT pack out of Branchville Motors, located on Rt. 7 just north of Ridgefield and Wilton and somewhat south of Danbury. Yes, I know it's a little late in the year...but if we didn't like it a little adventurous, we'd be driving minivans, wouldn't we!

My name is Mike Canino and I grew up in this area, (Stamford) though I haven't been back in 20 years. Most recently I was living in Santa Fe and tha's where I got my Tiger. I've been riding for about 20 years, have been to a few large RAT raids, and am really looking forward to getting together a good, diverse group of riders.

I'm very much a believer in the Go Your Own Way thing and the rides I plan will reflect that--basically an interesting destination and a map! I also plan on rides targeted at different skill and comfort levels. My aim is to have a group where everyone can enjoy at least most of the activities.

Also, you can expect a good deal of coordination with other groups such as Libby's RAT pack. We all have at least two things in common after all: we love to ride, and we're Triumph fans. Perhaps next year we can even get a few statewide events on the schedule together...

The first pack ride is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 23. I will be sending an e-mail out to Branchville's customer list, as well as anyone who wants to be informed of what's going on. So PM me, or better yet, e-mail me at branchville dot rat at gmail dot com, and let me know you'd like to be on the list. Please note, I am not planning on a Yahoo! group at this time.

So keep your eyes on this thread for some interesting, fun, and social events to be starting soon with the new Branchville RAT pack!

ridin-gaijin · 09-06-2007

Branchville Motors R.A.T. Pack Starting Up!

On Sunday, September 23rd, we'll kick off from the Branchville Motors parking lot for our inaugural ride, with a pre-ride briefing at 8:30. There will be coffee and donuts available from around 8:00. Make sure you're gassed up!

We'll be running up along the CT-NY border: around Candlewood Lake, then north in CT up to Canaan, then back south through NY along Route 22. There's also an alternate way down, which stays in CT, if you're pressed for time.

We're planning on two more group rides this year--mid-October and early November. All will take place in northwestern and north central Connecticut, with forays possible into New York state and even Massachusetts. Then, depending on if we get snow and how much, we may carry on into the winter months too--though I expect to be planning our 2008 runs at that time.

So if you know someone else who's looking for a good group to ride with every so often, please pass this invitation on along to them, too!

If you'd be so kind as to RSVP if you're coming, it would be VERY helpful...among other things, to get an idea of how much coffee to bring!

You can contact me with any questions at branchville dot rat at gmail dot com.

Thanks very much, and I'm looking forward to meeting all of you...and having a blast this fall!

Mike

ricster · 09-06-2007

Hi Mike,

I was getting my Sprint serviced at branchville motors yesterday and was told you were trying to get a rat pack going here in CT. PM me at nannimedicalllc@sbcglobal.net

Ricster

gilligan · 09-07-2007

Sounds like a good ride Mike, I will try to be there.

Mattrat · 09-08-2007

Just in case any of you are used to taking advantage of our lack of helmet laws in CT - notice that he did say the ride is going through NY - so bring a helmet!

I'll plan on being there in the morning...but have out of town guests so probably can't do the ride. I live very close by though, so I'll stop by to meet y'all
edit: i'm probably going to make the ride too!

ridin-gaijin · 09-10-2007

Yes, good point Matt--thanks for bringing that up.

And, bonus!--you can even make the ride! Looking forward to seeing you then.

ridin-gaijin · 09-21-2007

Hey all, just a note: here's the route as planned, and if you are at all familiar with the area you will know there are many, many opportunities for you to split off at practically any time. As planned it will be pleasant enough though--lakes, hills, farmland, etc. Standard sort of new England stuff. :-)

Weather's supposed to be sunny and mid-70s, so we'll just have to somehow suffer through. If you can join us, great, and if not, hopefully in October. Ride safe--!

==============================================

Shorter ride (about 3 hours?)

1. Leave Branchville Motors, north on Rt. 7 to I-84.
2. East on I-84 to Rt. 39, which is exit 5. (Note, this is less than 10 min. on the slab.)
3. Rt. 39 north to Rt. 7.
4. Rt. 7 north to Rt. 45, Warren Hill Rd. (Past Kent Falls SP, but before Rt. 4.)
5. Rt. 45 south to Rt. 202.
6. Rt. 202 becomes Rt. 7 again.

Longer ride (about 5-6 hours?)

1. Leave Branchville Motors, north on Rt. 7 to I-84.
2. East on I-84 to Rt. 39, which is exit 5.
3. Rt. 39 north to Rt. 7.
4. Rt. 7 north to Rt. 126 (Belden Street), just past Lime Rock.
5. Stop at Toymaker's if desired for a bite to eat!
6. Continue Rt. 126 north to Rt. 44, Canaan Rd. (We go left.)
7. Rt. 44 west or south into New York. Rt. 44 becomes Rt. 22 for a while.
8. In Armenia NY, stay on Rt. 22 south.
(Note, you can take Rt. 55 east in Wingdale if you want to get back to CT earlier.)
9. Rt. 22 connects with I-84. You will most likely want to take I-84 east.

gilligan · 09-24-2007

Hey Matt, nice photos and the weather couldn't have been better. It was good to meet all you guys. Hope to do another ride or two before it get too cold. Take care.

Pat

ridin-gaijin · 09-29-2007

Yes, thanks Matt!

Still planning a mid-October ride; watch this space. I'll post here and also spam Alex's customer list again.

ridin-gaijin · 10-05-2007

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