I did this route on Saturday, if anyone likes being out solo for 4+ hours, this is a very nice route. 90% of the route is excellent smooth fast pavement. There is one (approx 1 mile) stretch of gravel but it's pretty smooth and easily doable on 700 x 25c tires. Plus, it's downhill. The only place to get refueled is in Jewett City (the route goes right through Main Street in the town) which is roughly the halfway point.
The route flows well, it's got plenty of flat fast stuff, a bunch of gentle climbs (like 2-4%), some harder 8-9% climbs. The total climbing is just over 5000 feet. Most of this route there is very little car traffic, it does go through a lot of farmland so you may encounter pickups pulling trailers, but I had no issues with drivers. Also the route is quite scenic, going through farmland and woodlands in rural CT.
If the wind is out of the North, you might want to consider doing the route in reverse, otherwise you will potentially be fighting headwinds for 20+ miles riding back up into Thompson.
This would/will be a great route for a team ride, as a lot of the terrain is rolling it will be easier to keep a group together. Plus many of the roads are wide enough to ride a double paceline.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/32355466
Also some video footage of the ride here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqFH8_e0Bsk&t=8s
Doug
Long Solo route- tried & tested
Long Solo route- tried & tested
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