Bad Salem! Bad, bad, Salem!

So, yup, I goofed, but that's just another good reason that I'm no longer organizing the ride in isolation.  Many thanks to Justin for catching my mistake in the updates to this years cues, so if you downloaded the cues prior to July 26th, my apologies, but you'll need a new copy to get out of Willimatic, not that it's such an awful place: good coop, natural spring water, municiple dirt jumps, just try to avoid developing a heroin habit.  Of note, any link to the 2016 Cues on this blog is now correct.

Also, if you're visiting this site for the first time, be sure to start with a read of The 2016 Basics.

Get ready, the 2016 BASICS are live!

The locals are ready, are you?

I finally did it (with Justin's company): recon for this year's ride was completed a week or so back, the the route is finalized for this year!  This is a yearly ritual, as the route does not stick entirely to public ways, and while this had never been an issue in the past, all things change eventually.  In the past, the route ducked into a patch of woods on the south side of Willimantic, but the previous "No ATVs" sign has been replaced by ones reading "No Tresspassing."

But all is not lost, no, all is not lost, not yet.  Adversity, turned upside-down, can be an opportunity.  Forced to rethink our way through Willy, we discovered an amazing (and well hidden) pedestrian bridge into the center of town and even a view of water succumbing to gravity rather rapidly.  All is well.

Falls, and bridges, and benches, Oh My!

Also, I'm anxious to see how the move to a fall date succeeds.  Through the years, many lobbied for this shift to have more time to gain fitness through the summer.  It had been my hope that a really cool event in the spring would serve as encouragement for people to ride through the winter, but that just showed how poorly I judged.  In particular, with the cold winters that proceeded the last two Detours, a number of people felt even less ready than usual, so here we are, and hopefully, now everyone will be.  Just be prepared for possibly more heat, and more green growth in places with time around.

So there it is, you've a little over a month.  Best be riding!

THE BASICS: 2016

When: Saturday September 3rd for 2016 (with Sunday the 4th kept as a rain date--final decision to be made Friday). Start riding promptly at 8am. That may sound early, but this will be a LONG ride. Add roughly 50% to your time for 118 paved miles; bring lights if in doubt. Sunset is at 7:22pm on Saturday.

What: The 2016 Detour de Connecticut, with its move to the fall, looks to build on the last five years' rides and the relative success of previous "invitation-only" events, or as one participant described the 2010 ride: "Nobody died." This year's "bow tie edition" (the rough shape of the route) looks like it will be 118 miles. Here's the kicker: about half that mileage is off paved roads, with maybe 5 miles tops on numbered highway routes, thus the Detour de CT. If you can handle passages less-buff than D2R2, adventures, mild orienteering, don't mind getting a toe wet (ankles should stay dry), short rough sections, not to mention loads of gorgeous back roads, this is a ride for you.  DO NOT THINK GRAVEL GRINDER!  This route, at times, is a rock crusher, stump stomper, and mud slogger.  Note: this is a self-led ride; you are responsible for finding your way from the directions.  

Route: Many thanks to Jessie, the route exists as a single text document of cues  (there are 3 columns per page, use one page at time--complete full page before continuing to columns on next page).  The file can be downloaded from Google Docs HERE.  (NOTE: Use only this link from this 2016 Basics for the correct cue sheet.  The Interwebs have many iterations, including some from 3rd parties.  There are no accurate GPX files for this year's route.)

The route has changed significantly from last year, largely in the passes through Willimantic due to a new bike path (yay!) and new "No Tresspassing" signs (boo--but there is a super cool new bridge because of it.  And a waterfall!).  There is also a modification out in Canterbury to avoid poisen ivy (side effect of the new fall date).  Last year, I clarified the directions within the Mohegan Forest to keep more people on track, with variable success.  Within the cues there are references to numbered maps for which there are links below.  Note, not all of the route has/can be mapped (you need the cues) and Maps 3 & 8 have been removed due to changes this year.  Also, Map 10 has one deviation from the cues (cues are correct) in the last 1/2 mile.  Again, trust the cues; the maps are just visual aids.

Map 1

Map 2

Map 4

Map 5

Map 6

Map 7

Map 9

Map 10

The Bicycle: Minimum 32c tires are good for the soft soil sections, although I would avoid knobbies as there is still a lot of pavement, but an inverted tread tire might be nice. Some woods roads on the loop are very rough, but nothing a Model T couldn't handle. There is one uncontrolled rail road track crossing where I had to walk as well as some potentially wet woods roads in the Mohegan State Forest. Some sections have significantly more vegitation than in the past with the fall date.

I'm not trying to impress anyone, but in choosing your equipment, keep in mind this is the evaluation of a retired pro mountain biker who is generally disposed to riding the wrong bike for the situation. If you consider a cross bike just a dirt-road-bike, a mountain bike might be a good choice. There are sections rougher than D2R2.

Lastly, there is a bike shop in Willimantic, but they are open only on Saturday, so if rain date is used, you get the idea. Regardless of the day, there are LONG stints with nothing resembling support, so plan for self sufficiency.  Also, it can be quite hot still at the beginning of September.  Be prepared for LONG stints without water available.

The Cost: I like free things, so this ride is free. If, on Monday, you feel like you did a fantastic ride, I'd encourage you to donate $5-10 to some bicycle organization of your choice. Again, this is completely voluntary; there is no cost for riding this loop.

All that said, we are adding registration for this year's event.  And, of course, a waiver.  Please click on over to https://www.bikereg.com/30506 and add your name to the list.  If you don't register, you aren't on the ride, just some creepy interloper.

Food: The center, or knot, of the bow tie is Willimantic, CT, and the route passes through at roughly 1/3 and 2/3 distance. These will be opportunities to buy food. I recommend the coop in town which is not far off the route. Also, on the second pass through town, the loop will go by a roadside natural water spring.

Parking: I know not everyone will ride to the start, but you get serious bonus points if you do. There is limited parking right at the trail head. Nearby are Progress Dr. and Utopia Rd. which should be reasonable for street parking. If you drive, you are responsible for obeying parking laws.

One more plug: Why am I doing this? I like riding a bike, and I like riding bikes with other people. I like back roads. I like dirts roads. I like woods roads, and I like sharing what I've found with others.  I'm cruel like that. This loop is not for everyone, but I love it. It's challenging, frequently beautiful, and comprises so many of the reasons I enjoy spending time on two wheels.

Disclaimer: This is just a possible route. I will be riding the loop at the specified day and time. If other's choose to do the same, they do so at their own risk and choosing. To my knowledge, there is no restricted open public access sections of the route, but I do not guaranty this. Obey all no trespassing signs. Route is not solely on maintained public roads.