Up in the corner of New York, Connecticut and MA there is a great loop with lots of gravel and few cars. here is one example of a 47 mile loop with a couple killer climbs. You ride in 3 different states, about 5000 feet of climbing.
I try to do this a few times each year, I figure as long as I can still make the climb up Sunset Rock road, I am doing ok! Last year I had a Moose run across the road right in front of me!
it is a fun ride, it is also a great tune up for the D2R2. There are a couple different variants, some a little shorter or longer.
\nThe flat East side of the ride is probably pretty muddy this time of year, I've never done in winter.
\nIf anyone is planning to do this one, post it up, I am always looking for folks to ride it with me, it is not for everyone as there is a couple steep slogs.
Funny, I was thinking of riding it this Sunday, If so I will post conditions.
\nLast fall the entire route was better than I ever remember. The Mt Riga road, across the top had new smooth gravel
Well, the Sunset rock road is real nice, as are all the roads down in the valley in Sheffield and Salisbury. The Mt Riga road is still closed to vehicle traffic which is nice but, there is a lot of branches down and still some soft spots. I encountered old rotten snow and some ice on the northern exposures on the Riga road, one section of about a thousand feet, just south of the state line that was hike a bike due to snow. The road up to Mt Everett is also still closed to traffic but I was able to ride as far as the pond, everything past that was still under thick patches of snow.
\nOverall, the roads are real nice and smooth, a few potholes, however, once the towns start to “condition” the roads, it may be all marbles and loose. As long as you go careful, don’t mind a couple carry’s and short hikes, it is great now.
Finnyct90, Thanks for the beta over the weekend. We did the ride yesterday and found it in great shape. It was all ride-able, and few patches of snow around Mt Everett. The last climb up Everett was pretty soft and a little washed out. When coming through Mt Riga road about 6:30PM, we encountered a ranger clearing blowdowns, then a bear shortly after that. It was an awesome decent down Bish Bash, then to Taconic state park. Great route and highly recommended!
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