Exploring the Northeast Corner of CT

Nice_Rumble · 11-13-2010, 07:19 AM

My buddy Matt invited me down to show me a 134 mile loop he's put together in the hopes of putting on a ride next summer as part of the DARC (Dirty Adventure Rider Club) series. It started in Dudley, MA and via some woods roads we were into CT. We went through the towns of Eastford, Union (hadn't been back since the old enduros of the 70's) Woodstock and Strafford. We picked the Friday after Veterans Day as the weather was forecast to be perfect for mid-November riding with temperatures in the mid 60's and blue skies. All I had to do was follow the leader and take a few pics. Who said there is no riding in CT? If you have a street legal dual sport bike the possibilities are endless.

We warmed up on some scenic tar and dirt roads with nice views.

Matt call this his "Castle Ride" as it goes by a guy who is building a castle out in the woods surrounded by a moat and includes it's own pond. He must have about 500 acres as I saw lots of ATV's. He also is known to have some exotic animals too. I did see a zebra (no joke).

I think this might have been part of the Mashapaug State Forest.

Matt is digging his new KLR.

Always like to see these signs.

All the leaves are down now which opens up the views.

The loop took us north over Rt 84 with all it's smelly diesels trucks and congestion. It was good to get back into the woods.

Found some nice marshes along some of the woods roads.

A side trip down into Strafford for gas and food.

What's fun about exploring the back roads of NE CT are finding a lot of the colonial era homes that grace this part of the US. This one had it's own pond and brook.

Nothing like local knowledge. It would take me 10 years to find all these woods roads that Matt knows about.

It was amazing how little traffic we encountered out here. Gotta like mid-week riding.

This was a fun section as it traversed old farmers fields.

Matt rides the big girl really well considering it still has the OEM tires.

I told him he needs to put a skidplate and crash bars on it before he drops it.

Parting the waters.

We then headed back to the south.

Through the town of Eastford.

There are some beautiful old estates tucked away in this corner of CT.

I noticed an old woods road that went up through an old farm that is now vacant and falling down. We turned around and went back to explore it. The gps showed that it went through to another road.

And sure enough it was open so Matt added it to the original loop.

Another "Gentlemans" farm.

It was getting late and the sun was beginning to go down so we headed back towards Dudley throwing in a few more off road sections.

Still some good color in places.

Lot of old farms out in this section of CT.

The day was a gift from the weather gods and is supposed to hold through the weekend. Get out and take advantage of it. We'll be at the Toy's For Tots tomorrow riding the Adventure ride. Look for a ride report.

RockyNH · 11-13-2010, 07:57 AM

EXCELLENT!!!!!

Pat in NH

HeyDoc · 11-13-2010, 10:03 AM

Awesome pictorial ride report! I live in that part of Ct. and don't recognize many of those roads!!!! Do you have a map or GPS file you would like to share???

Fredo · 11-13-2010, 11:17 AM

Skip it looks like we could have some fun, maybe an early season ride? What wonderful old farms! I look forward to another DARC ride in another state.

WAP · 11-13-2010, 11:21 AM

That castle is bananas! Where is that?

Nice_Rumble · 11-13-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAP

That castle is bananas! Where is that?

Only Matt knows. I'll let him chime in.

LRPct · 11-13-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAP

That castle is bananas! Where is that?

It's no secret where the castle is. It has become rather infamous the last couple years.. It too BTW grew up in that area and don't recognize many of the roads.

http://www.telegram.com/article/2008...803020412/1116

http://www.wkyc.com/news/national/ne...?storyid=84570

11-13-2010, 07:19 AM	#1
Nice_Rumble ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2004 Location: New London, NH Oddometer: 2,008	Exploring the Northeast Corner of CT My buddy Matt invited me down to show me a 134 mile loop he's put together in the hopes of putting on a ride next summer as part of the DARC (Dirty Adventure Rider Club) series. It started in Dudley, MA and via some woods roads we were into CT. We went through the towns of Eastford, Union (hadn't been back since the old enduros of the 70's) Woodstock and Strafford. We picked the Friday after Veterans Day as the weather was forecast to be perfect for mid-November riding with temperatures in the mid 60's and blue skies. All I had to do was follow the leader and take a few pics. Who said there is no riding in CT? If you have a street legal dual sport bike the possibilities are endless. We warmed up on some scenic tar and dirt roads with nice views. Matt call this his "Castle Ride" as it goes by a guy who is building a castle out in the woods surrounded by a moat and includes it's own pond. He must have about 500 acres as I saw lots of ATV's. He also is known to have some exotic animals too. I did see a zebra (no joke). I think this might have been part of the Mashapaug State Forest. Matt is digging his new KLR. Always like to see these signs. All the leaves are down now which opens up the views. The loop took us north over Rt 84 with all it's smelly diesels trucks and congestion. It was good to get back into the woods. Found some nice marshes along some of the woods roads. A side trip down into Strafford for gas and food. What's fun about exploring the back roads of NE CT are finding a lot of the colonial era homes that grace this part of the US. This one had it's own pond and brook. Nothing like local knowledge. It would take me 10 years to find all these woods roads that Matt knows about. It was amazing how little traffic we encountered out here. Gotta like mid-week riding. This was a fun section as it traversed old farmers fields. Matt rides the big girl really well considering it still has the OEM tires. I told him he needs to put a skidplate and crash bars on it before he drops it. Parting the waters. We then headed back to the south. Through the town of Eastford. There are some beautiful old estates tucked away in this corner of CT. I noticed an old woods road that went up through an old farm that is now vacant and falling down. We turned around and went back to explore it. The gps showed that it went through to another road. And sure enough it was open so Matt added it to the original loop. Another "Gentlemans" farm. It was getting late and the sun was beginning to go down so we headed back towards Dudley throwing in a few more off road sections. Still some good color in places. Lot of old farms out in this section of CT. The day was a gift from the weather gods and is supposed to hold through the weekend. Get out and take advantage of it. We'll be at the Toy's For Tots tomorrow riding the Adventure ride. Look for a ride report. __________________ '13 KTM 500 EXC, '08 Yamaha WR250R, '08 Kawasaki KLR650 (Sold), '04 CRF250X (Sold) Member AMA, NETRA, MVTR, CCCOFVT Stealth is good! Noise annoys!

11-13-2010, 07:57 AM	#2
RockyNH Older Than Dirt! Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Southern NH Oddometer: 1,057	EXCELLENT!!!!! Pat in NH __________________ RockyNH Dualsport Corespondant for SideStandUp.com Radio Show 02 1800 Gold Wing - "Wing" 05 Ural Gear Up "Herbie" 07 F650GS - "Grasshopper" - Totaled July 2010 05 DR 650 - (?????) Purchased August 2010 Trip Report 2009 Trans Lab Highway Trip Report 2010 James Bay & North Road Quebec

11-13-2010, 11:21 AM	#5
WAP Weekday Warrior Joined: Oct 2007 Location: the cut Oddometer: 781	That castle is bananas! Where is that? __________________ 2002 GS500 Foul Weather Beater Bike 2007 SV1S Commuter, Tourer Terror

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11-13-2010, 10:03 AM	#3
HeyDoc Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Storrs Ct. Oddometer: 989	Awesome pictorial ride report! I live in that part of Ct. and don't recognize many of those roads!!!! Do you have a map or GPS file you would like to share???

11-13-2010, 11:17 AM	#4
Fredo Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2007 Location: Woodstock, Vermont Oddometer: 125	Skip it looks like we could have some fun, maybe an early season ride? What wonderful old farms! I look forward to another DARC ride in another state.