rumrunn6

was just looking at the Air Line State Park Trail in CT. I had previously encountered a northern part in MA but now I'm intrigued by a 30 mile route/section

- from James L Goodwin State Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT 06247 (northern start)
- to Smith Street, East Hampton, CT 06424 (southern end/start)

I think it's all unpaved but really nice quality & ride-able. from what I can see, one can also ride north
- from James L Goodwin State Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT 06247 which would lead to MA (but as far as I can find, is undocumented)

weather this weekend looks promising!

GOOGLE LINK

TRAILLINK WEBSITE
Air Line State Park Trail | Connecticut Trails | TrailLink.com

rangie

The part through Wilimantic puts you on the road for just a little bit. Be careful there with the traffic and the natives.

The path is mostly packed gravel with a very gentle grade. Doable on road tires when it's dry.

Look up the Hop River trail and the Colchester spur. Both connect to the part of the Airline that you highlighted if you want more options. Hop River is a nice ride by itself.

rumrunn6

CT Rail Trail Explorer

2metalhips

I've ridden the entire Airline Trail/SNETT from East Hampton to the Blackstone river in Mass. Great trail. At some point in the near future it will extend west to close to the Conn river. There is a 3.3 mile spur to Colchester also. The section from Goodwin north to Pomfret Station is good. There is a road section through Putnam. The Hop River trail is great also with a spur to Rockville, lots of interesting history on these old rail lines.

rumrunn6

thanks, yeah this is a good one with tons of easy mileage. late Fri nite, online,I discovered the section from 121 Riverside Drive Thompson North to MA & rode it Saturday to the spot I hit coming South from Douglas MA a few weeks ago, (CT/MA border) turns out the big gravel section that turned me around back then wasn't so bad & I got to the Tri-State Marker footpath easily. I walked up the path but never found the marker, only the marker at the CT/MA border. guess I just had to walk further. https://www.ctmq.org/ct-ma-ri-tri-point/

another link about the Tri-State Marker
https://www.thedistractedwanderer.com...tri-state.html


then I drove to James L Goodwin State Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT & did some recon checking out the trail down Potter Rd. took it North a bit & then South a bit, then a little around the park. decent surface looks like it would be easy to rack up some more mileage from that starting point. found the trail head for the Natchaug foot trail which looks extensive

there was a bridge out requiring a portage

only saw 2 other riders. a couple on 29ers. wonder how much traffic the trail gets in the summer

rural CT is nice. even checked out a tractor supply shop & got a $6 Carhartt balaclava

rumrunn6

what kind of bike(s) did you use? those 29ers are looking more attractive every time I see one

2metalhips

I use a Salsa Warbird gravel bike with 38 mm tires, it has drop bars like a cx bike. I find this the best bike for these railtrails/dirt roads. I also have a Salsa Vaya which I have used in the past for these types of rides. I use a 29er for singletrack/mtb trails but I like the drop bar bikes much more for rail trails with the correct tires and setup. There is a very good selection of these bikes now.

marioval

You'll find me and the old Fuji Folder on the Arline Trail all the time! There is a small parking lot on Rt 149 in Colchester that fits about 10 cars then I head out towards River Road. The parking area on Google maps is
I like it because its almost entirely uphill in that direction so when I get exhausted it's mush easier to make my way back with a slow downhill descent

rumrunn6

awesome!

2metalhips

I've been at that bridge, 1887, great stone work. Like that folder!

IchbinJay

I've tried riding the SNETT from the Mass side and never quite succeeded. I think the CT side of things is better marked. I blogged about each failed attempt here:

A Trail Less Traveled: Southern New England Trunkline Trail (Franklin, MA)

One of these days, I'd like to bike the trail in it's entirety.

rumrunn6

was looking at this snow pack map last night trying to plan my next ride. I'd like just a light covering for my rides at this point. still fighting the tail end of a cold/cough & plans tonight w friends. don't want to make it worse w riding today & possibly getting a chill. temps will be warmer tomorrow. new years day ride sounds good too. plus got some errands & an early football game to watch today

Massachusetts Snow Depth and Snow Accumulation

2metalhips

The Airline/SNETT has a bit of frozen snow and ice right now, tricky riding without studded tires at this point.

rumrunn6

ok good to know. thanks. I have studs one one of my bikes

ecteer

Taken on the Airline Trail in Lebanon, CT in September during a weekend shakedown tour with the new steed.

nob

The Millville and Blackstone sections of the SNETT are now done!

https://www.******.com/r/BikeNewEngl...ackstone_mass/

rumrunn6

gorgeous. heavy load for dirt, no?

rumrunn6

hmmm got another link?

ecteer

There were a couple of sections that were a little soft, but no problems. I rode the trail from the start in East Hampton to Rte. 207 in Lebanon. Wanted to try out the bike fully loaded.

Steve

2metalhips

There is work being done on the Airline Trail to extend it west of East Hampton but I have not seen it yet.

The bridge that was out in Thompson is completed.

SNETT update.

https://www.traillink.com/trail-revie...ine-trail.aspx

2metalhips

Nice ride! Triple crank?

ecteer

I rode up to Middletown and then to East Hampton. Looking back at my route, it looks like I crossed the right of way for the trail a few times. Further west, what looks to be the right of way is power lines.

Steve

ecteer

Thanks! Yes, 48-36-26. Thinking about going to a 24 or 22. 11-34 on the rear.

2metalhips

I rode to the new bridge in Thompson, very nice. It's rated for 7 tons, I think we're all set!

rumrunn6

was looking at my pics of that last night. quite the project. didn't look like much of a stream or brook but I guess there may be rainy days where it becomes a torrent