Ride Calendar
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail - Section 2
Cheshire to Southington (and back)
Distance:
21.3 miles total
Surface:
Paved
Weather:
rain cancels
Pace:
10-12 mph
13-15 mph
About the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
On the heels of the completion of the Erie Canal in New York State, a group of New Haven businessmen met in 1821 with the goal of constructing a canal in Connecticut to facilitate trade. Ground was first broken on July 4, 1825. It was completed in 1835.
The canal was not cheap to build, and the finances of the construction and upkeep of the canal were always precarious. Railroads put an end to the use of the canal. Just 12 years after the canal was completed, a rail bed was laid to cover the same route the canal had traversed.
The Canal Railroad remained in use until the early 1980's, when floods damaged the rail line to the point that it could no longer be used.
Although there is still a small portion of the original rail line in use in Plainville, CT, the track was largely removed by 1987, and large portions of what had been the rail line were sold.
During the 1990's, construction on a trail, following the route of the original rail line was begun. The first sections were completed in northern Hamden and southern Cheshire, followed by extension southward in Hamden and northward in Cheshire. Around the same time, in the northern part of the state, efforts led to construction of a paved surface for recreation along the route of the old canal and rail road in Farmington, Avon, and Simsbury.
Today, the Farmington Canal Heritage Greenway covers a route of approximately 84 miles from
New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA making it convenient for state to state moving of travellers. Over half has been developed as a paved trail for non-motorized recreation and commuting.
Cycling Guidelines and Responsibilities
All cyclists on organized rides must wear an approved helmet.
Be prepared by bringing adequate clothing, food, water, tools and spare tube.
Act responsibly:
Obey all traffic laws (e.g. stop lights, stop signs, stay to the right, ride single file in traffic)
When stopping, get well off the traveled portion of the road.
Be considerate. When appropriate, communicate and signal, i.e. "on your left", "car up", "car back"
Enjoy the ride
All riders must have signed a waiver. Members sign a waiver once a year. Guests are welcome but must sign a waiver at every ride.
Larkin State Park Trail
Distance:
21.1 miles
Surface:
Unpaved
Weather:
we will reschedule this ride if it is below 40 degrees and rain cancels
Pace:
10-12 mph
“The woodsy environs of the Larkin State Park Trail make this an ideal destination to escape the sun under a leafy canopy in the summer or enjoy up-close leaf peeping in the fall. At one time a link on the New York & New England Railroad, the 11-mile trail rolls between Southbury and Naugatuck just southwest of Waterbury. Founded as the Larkin State Bridle Trail geared toward equestrians, the pathway is widely enjoyed by people on horseback. Fat-tired bicycles are recommended for those on wheels, as the trail surface of crushed stone, gravel, cinder and dirt can get rough and soggy, especially after wet weather.”
from railstotrails.org
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail - Section 1
Cheshire to New Haven (and back)
Distance:
25.3 miles total
Surface:
Paved
Weather:
we will reschedule this ride if the forecast is below 40 degrees or for rain
Pace:
10-12 mph
13-15 mph
About the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
On the heels of the completion of the Erie Canal in New York State, a group of New Haven businessmen met in 1821 with the goal of constructing a canal in Connecticut to facilitate trade. Ground was first broken on July 4, 1825. It was completed in 1835.
The canal was not cheap to build, and the finances of the construction and upkeep of the canal were always precarious. Railroads put an end to the use of the canal. Just 12 years after the canal was completed, a rail bed was laid to cover the same route the canal had traversed.
The Canal Railroad remained in use until the early 1980's, when floods damaged the rail line to the point that it could no longer be used.
Although there is still a small portion of the original rail line in use in Plainville, CT, the track was largely removed by 1987, and large portions of what had been the rail line were sold.
During the 1990's, construction on a trail, following the route of the original rail line was begun. The first sections were completed in northern Hamden and southern Cheshire, followed by extension southward in Hamden and northward in Cheshire. Around the same time, in the northern part of the state, efforts led to construction of a paved surface for recreation along the route of the old canal and rail road in Farmington, Avon, and Simsbury.
Today, the Farmington Canal Heritage Greenway covers a route of approximately 84 miles from
New Haven, CT to Northampton, MA making it convenient for state to state moving of travellers. Over half has been developed as a paved trail for non-motorized recreation and commuting.
Cycling Guidelines and Responsibilities
All cyclists on organized rides must wear an approved helmet.
Be prepared by bringing adequate clothing, food, water, tools and spare tube.
Act responsibly:
Obey all traffic laws (e.g. stop lights, stop signs, stay to the right, ride single file in traffic)
When stopping, get well off the traveled portion of the road.
Be considerate. When appropriate, communicate and signal, i.e. "on your left", "car up", "car back"
Enjoy the ride
All riders must have signed a waiver. Members sign a waiver once a year. Guests are welcome but must sign a waiver at every ride.
O'Neil Bike Path (Updated start time)
Note: Weather update, we’ve postponed the ride start to 3pm to catch better weather.
The current forecast is for a chilly morning with some sprinkles, but warming up considerably by 3PM. Stay tuned here for updates.
URI - Narragansett
This year we’ll start the ride from the much larger parking lot at Keaney Rd. on URI campus. From there a new section of trail (the URI Connector) connects campus to the O’Neil Bike Path. We will then ride about 7.8 miles out to Narragansett before turning back.
As with most rail trail this is an out and back route. Total distance 15.8
This is a paved bike path. There are two short sections on roads.
Weather Disclaimer:
Rain at start time cancels the ride.
Ride Length:
15.8 miles
Surface:
Paved
Pace:
10-12 mph
Ride Starter:
Matt Wildman
More Information About The Trail
On Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_C._O%27Neill_Bike_Path
Trail Link: