XCT-East
Vital Stats
Land Acknowledgement: This route
travels through Hammonassetts, Mohegan, Nipmuc, Paugussett, Pequot, Podunks, Poquonook, Quinnipiac, Sicaog, Tunxis, Wangunks, Wappinger, Western Nehantick ... land. Here's a great resource if you have ever wondered where
you were - https://native-land.ca/
Distance: 285 miles
Elevation Gain: 16,584 feet
Unpaved: 37% (105 miles)
GPS Data: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44345629
Description:
This route is the smoother, faster, less technical half of the network known as the XCTtrail. Starting in downtown New Haven and ending just shy of the Massachusetts border, the track takes a slightly meandering path through various communities, trail systems and ecosystems, favoring engaging terrain over any pretense of geo-spatial linearity. While the entire route can be ridden on a gravel/cyclocross bike, most riders will be thankful for a tire that is at least 45mm wide, with ample tread depth. Though the overall elevation gain is modest, wide gearing will be appreciated on steep, punchy little climbs on loose surfaces. A mountain bike is not necessarily the wrong bike, but considerations should be made for efficiency and comfort. While less technical than XCT West, this is still a ways off from the currently popular definition of "gravel biking". Though, there is little true singletrack, the off pavement sections are still rather engaging. Riding the route from end to end in five days is just slightly less than what a reasonably fit rider would call a "comfortable" pace. Three days would be fairly aggressive, but attainable, and I suspect it could be polished off in less than 48 hours in a straight drag.
Accessibility:
Both ends of the route are within riding distance of public transportation. In New Haven, both Union and State Street stations are just a few minutes riding time from the start. From the norther terminus in Granby, the Farmington Canal trail can be taken to the town of Farmington, and back roads into Hartford proper and Hartford Union Station. Both Metro North and Amtrak allow bikes on trains. Further details and schedules can be found here:
https://www.hartfordline.com/route_stations/hartford.aspx
Camping:
Campgrounds immediately along the route are listed below -
Little City Campground
Acorn Acres Campground
Green Falls Campground
Pachaug State Forest Green Falls Area Website
Nature's Campsites
Dry Reservoir Shelter
Chapman Campground
Pachaug State Forest Chapman Area Website
Frog Hollow Horse Camp
Pachaug State Forest Chapman Area Website
River Bend Campground
Mashamoquet Brook State Park Campground
Mashamoquet Brook State Park Website
Lyon's Shelter
If
you choose to pursue improvised camping situations, please be
respectful to private land owners, keep your presence as small as
possible, and Leave No Trace!
Food and Water Resupply:
The following towns have abundant resupply options in the way of gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants -
Madison - Mile 34
Higganum - Mile 63
Old Saybrook - Mile 90
Old Lyme - Mile 95
Norwich - Mile 132
North Stonington - Mile 150
Voluntown - Mile 169
Oneco - Mile 184
Plainfield - Mile 190
Danielson - Mile 200
Willimantic - Mile 232
Manchester - Mile 255
Thank Yous and Shout Outs
Karl - Thanks for some great tracks and general inspiration for the opening miles of the route.
Simon and Salem - You cats are great company on long, weird, exploratory rides.
Nancy - For that Lyme local knowledge.
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