Air Line State Park Trail CT
04-08-17, 08:31 PM
#51
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took the ride North from James L Goodwin State Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT to "Pomfret Station". (near 1 Railroad St., Pomfret Center, CT) mostly downgrade & easy pedaling. but going back wasn't bad, lower gear & slower but not hard by any means. I'd go back & try going further North past "the station" if I can get an earlier start. good quality gravel, easy riding. pretty dry with just some occasional water draining across. fenders helped for sure
Last edited by rumrunn6; 02-09-18 at 10:15 AM.
04-09-17, 07:50 AM
#52
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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 41.58498309466256,-72.40000694990158
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
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
Last edited by rumrunn6; 01-03-20 at 02:10 PM.
04-09-17, 07:52 AM
#53
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04-09-17, 08:04 AM
#54
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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.
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.
04-09-17, 08:11 AM
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04-09-17, 08:19 AM
#56
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The Millville and Blackstone sections of the SNETT are now done!
https://www.******.com/r/BikeNewEngl...ackstone_mass/
https://www.******.com/r/BikeNewEngl...ackstone_mass/
04-09-17, 08:24 AM
#57
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I rode from Pomfret Center to Willimantic and back early Monday morning. Hard surface, no snow at all, a couple of icy spots but no problem, really good conditions, used the Vaya, 42 mm tires w/fenders. It was getting soft as the sun hit the surface, it is supposed to be a bit warmer till Sunday at least. I would recommend big soft tires as it might be soft and muddy in spots, no studs, fenders are good also.
04-09-17, 06:55 PM
#58
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Those are great photos of the Airline..... That ride was to a bog/swamp/heron rookery just before the trail turns to pavement just on the eastern outskirts of Willi, 18 miles. It is about 21 miles to the Wiili River crossing. The history of the railroads and rivers and manufacturing in this area is very interesting. If you enjoy the Airline you should check out the southern section south of Willi, the Hop River trail connects to it the same area which heads to the northwest/Hartford. These are both about 18 miles with short 3-4.5 mile spur trails. All gravel. All the info on these is on trailink.org/RailstoTrails along with all other railtrails. Sign up for free, great info.
44 miles is not that much for me, I'm a lifelong cyclist in my mid 60's along with 25 years of mountain biking, I'm retired so I get to do more now. I did an 80 and 100 mile rides last year on the Airline, all gravel except for a few miles in Willi, I really like the long steady rides, I did 50 out there today..... If you are north of Boston you should check out the Rockingham Rail Trail near Manchester NH..... The Northern Rail Trail from West Lebanon to Boscawen is the best RT I've done in New England, 60 miles one way and in amazing condition.
I wouldn't recommend riding east of Pomfret Station, you could do maybe another mile, not improved but rideable. After that is gets nasty, wet and muddy, even I won't ride it and I ride anything for the most part, LOL. it should get finished in a year or two.
44 miles is not that much for me, I'm a lifelong cyclist in my mid 60's along with 25 years of mountain biking, I'm retired so I get to do more now. I did an 80 and 100 mile rides last year on the Airline, all gravel except for a few miles in Willi, I really like the long steady rides, I did 50 out there today..... If you are north of Boston you should check out the Rockingham Rail Trail near Manchester NH..... The Northern Rail Trail from West Lebanon to Boscawen is the best RT I've done in New England, 60 miles one way and in amazing condition.
I wouldn't recommend riding east of Pomfret Station, you could do maybe another mile, not improved but rideable. After that is gets nasty, wet and muddy, even I won't ride it and I ride anything for the most part, LOL. it should get finished in a year or two.
04-10-17, 07:03 AM
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OK thanks again for the info! I can see now, with high quality hard trails like this, why someone would want a drop bar gravel bike. gotta leave that on the back burner for now until I pay off my tooth implant. your info is very helpful cuz I've been wondering if my little "experiment" gravel riding was coming to a close. I guess not! 
Last edited by rumrunn6; 04-10-17 at 07:36 PM.
04-10-17, 09:15 AM
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04-13-17, 06:51 PM
#62
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I just came across this post and realize it is from last year. However, this trail is our favorite trail in CT. We usually ride our hybrid bikes on this crushed stone trail. It is very scenic, especially in the Fall. When our 2 kids were younger , we would also take them there. We would stop by above the stone viaduct, lock our 4 bikes together, and then, in the summer, walk down to the Salmon River and enjoy the beautiful cool water on a hot summer day.
04-14-17, 07:26 AM
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04-30-17, 05:59 AM
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whoa! that's amazing! I guess lots more ppl were out? see anyone else on a bike? any horses? my new 2nd job has been keeping me busy weekends. somehow my free Saturdays have been clogged w chores
04-30-17, 06:17 AM
#66
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Pretty busy esp south of Willi. A couple of horse back riders, lots of walkers and riders, lots of wildlife, birds, turtles, snakes. Good to see people out there. I use a small horn to alert others, get tired of using my voice and the sound of the little horn makes people smile. Cool.
05-01-17, 06:48 AM
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05-01-17, 08:51 AM
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No, much smaller, the size of the black rubber in that pic. I got it as a gag gift many years ago, never thought I would use it, but it works well.
02-09-18, 10:09 AM
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02-09-18, 03:07 PM
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02-09-18, 08:34 PM
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02-10-18, 04:03 PM
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did an out & back 40 degrees. started from the other direction (1 RR St) this time, so the 2nd half would be mostly downgrade. rough workout thru the defrosting, wet, muddy, gravely substrate which felt like glue in some places. especially on the way back when the temp rose to 47. but had a great time, until I broke my rear derailleur. thought I would have to walk out 2.3 miles at the end but was able to bend everything into place & limp back. the crusty ice was faster. could have gotten by w/o the studs but was glad I had them for most of the ride
23.6 miles
24.4 max
7.5 avrg
3hrs 9min traveling
23.6 miles
24.4 max
7.5 avrg
3hrs 9min traveling
Last edited by rumrunn6; 02-13-18 at 09:21 AM.
02-10-18, 05:31 PM
#74
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The rain tonight and tomorrow will wipe out the ice but it will be muddy for a while. Bummer about your derailleur. I recently got something stuck in my rear fender, stick or rock, not sure. Folded it right in half and locked up the tire dead. I was able to repair it somewhat, it's a cheap plastic Planet Bike. If it would have been the front I would have taken flying lessons.
02-11-18, 07:28 PM
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& even w fenders there was enough spray to warrant some extra cleaning when I got home
Last edited by rumrunn6; 02-12-18 at 09:14 AM.
