2019 Detour de CT: Big Sister's Birthday Edition!

Here we go again: So, interestingly, the primary ride day falls on my older sister's birthday for the first time.  Also, this will be the first year that the fall event doesn't coincide with with the Labor Day weekend, despite the fact that my sister was born on Labor Day.  I'll leave it to others for further delving into numerology.  Anyhow, yeah, here we go again, the ninth general invitation Detour de CT, so by now everyone knows to avoid this ride like an Ebola infected village with lots of guns, but if you haven't heard, sure, come out and ride!

When: Saturday September 7th for 2019 (with Sunday the 8th 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 7:24pm on Saturday.

What: The 2019 Detour de Connecticut, in its  third year moving to the fall, looks to destroy the last seven years of relative success. This year's "bow tie edition" (the rough shape of the route) looks like it will be 119 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: Here's where my time constraints will sort of show.  I'm moving the ride start to the same location as 2018's WeeTour & Detour, which has us joining the regular route between miles 101 & 102 at the junctions of Coldbrook, Mott Hill, and Country Club Roads in South Glastonbury.  So, you can follow the same cues or GPX file (available HERE) as last year, but you'll just be starting about 17 miles from the previous finish.  Sorry for the extra convolution, but this does put the first pass through Willimatic at a better distance for a water stop, and last year Willi's Textile and History Museum (at 411 Main St, Willimantic, CT 06226) was very helpful to that effect.

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 Drive HERE.

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 vegetation 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.  There is no perfect bike for everything.  Except maybe a late 80's Technium.  All that said, I did a dirt road ride up in MA this year on my (ir)regular 26" rigid mountain bike, and it was really comfortable, so who knows.

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.

Again, keeping it simple for this year, no sign up on BikeReg.  Just come out and ride with me.  Please.

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: The ride will start from the gas line clearing (look for the yellow "candy-cane" vent pipes) on Coldbrook Rd in South Glastonbury.  This is just past house #618 when coming from Country Club Rd, but do not pull into that driveway.  Park against the treeline on the gas line clearing.

Questions: Given the way I'm slapping this together, there's probably at least a thing or twelve I've forgotten to mention.  When you find what that is, please ask any questions in the form of a comment to this posting, and I'll answer with a new post for everyone.  All two and a half of you.

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.