From Hartford · Route 169 · Last Green Valley

This full-day version starts in Hartford. The first 51 miles go out on back roads, mostly CT-140, CT-190 and CT-197, to North Woodstock, where the good part begins. The core stretch, Route 169 · Last Green Valley, runs 36 miles to Norwich.

The ride home is the quick way: 40 miles on CT-2 back to Hartford. All in, it's about 127 miles and 3.5 hours in the saddle, before any stops for gas, food or photos. There's time to take it easy.

Full-day version that starts in Hartford: it adds the ride there and back to Route 169 · Last Green Valley. Here is what you'll find on the core stretch:

Postcard Connecticut: CT-169 runs from North Woodstock to Norwich between stone walls, white churches and open hills, through Pomfret, Brooklyn, Canterbury and Lisbon. It isn't a curves ride: it's a cruising pace, great for a mixed pack or riders with passengers. It's far from the city, so treat it as a full day including the ride out.