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3 Replies Last post: May 31, 2007 6:48 PM by CCRaces  
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ussoccer
1,748 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
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May 31, 2007 1:55 PM

Bike Route Help: Hartford, CT --> Fishkill, NY

Bike Route Help: Hartford, CT --> Fishkill, NY

Saturday I will partake on a point-to-point ride from Hartford, CT to Fishkill, NY. I would appreciate any input from those familiar with the Hartford area, western CT, and/or into NY to Fishkill. Even if the route looks good, please chime in and tell me so, as I would appreciate any feedback to help me feel better about the route.

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=988545[/URL" target="_blank">

Questions/Concerns:

o Bike-Friendly: Does the route look bike-friendly? (Route taken from a combination of routes others have ridden, or so I found on the Internet.)

o Route: Do you suggest another route or road?

o Busy Roads: I?m worried about Hartford ? could I start my route in/near the city on Route 44W (see map), or is that too busy? Or is there a starting point close to Rt 84 where I could easily connect to this route? Idea is to have the fiancé drop me off a highway exit as she punches toward NY.

o Hills: Seems I have 3 sustained climbs of near or over 1000 feet as I make my way toward Western CT and the NY border. The climbs should be over by mile 60 and seem to be over a few miles. Are these climbs really that tough where I should shorten my overall distance in attempts to be able to complete this ride? (Note: I can hold pretty decent through a rolling 100+ miles, but killer hills are a different story. Maybe these hills are too big.)

o Convenience Stores: I?m worried about Western CT. Seems there are towns spaced every bunch of miles. Should I be worried about running out of water/Gatorade? (I will carry two bottles and stop whenever I can just in case the next stretch is too long, but hopefully those between stretches are not too long.)

o New York: Does the route into New York and down to Fishkill seem bike-friendly? This is the only stretch where I have absolutely no information on.

o Sight-Seeing: I might bring a camera. Any places or scenic overlooks I must see?
Click to view triandstopme044's profile Legend
triandstopme044
1,454 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
1. May 31, 2007 2:40 PM in response to: ussoccer
Re: Bike Route Help: Hartford, CT --> Fishkill, NY
You'd have to go another 30 miles south before I could have any input on the route... other than to say I'm jealous of another great adventure ride.

One thought for the Gatorade... you might consider taking along some extra powder... or better yet, a Gu flask filled with Gatorade sludge (very concentrated mix of powder and just a little water). That way, anytime you can find potable water, you'd be assured of being able to make your own energy drink so you can stay on top of your regular nutrition. The "sludge" in the GU flask trick just makes for easier mixing on the road. No powder to blow away, or foil packet to leak out of. And a Gu/gel flask would easily fit in a jersey pocket.

Others here will know more, but I'd bet you'd handle those climbs just fine. They're long and significant, but not complete walls. And at least they're over by mile 60. At this point you could do eighteen in your sleep. (Though I wouldn't recommend it.)
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ussoccer
1,748 posts since
Dec 11, 2007
2. May 31, 2007 5:41 PM in response to: ussoccer
Re: Bike Route Help: Hartford, CT --> Fishkill, NY
quote:<HR>Originally posted by triandstopme:
One thought for the Gatorade... you might consider taking along some extra powder... or better yet, a Gu flask filled with Gatorade sludge (very concentrated mix of powder and just a little water). That way, anytime you can find potable water, you'd be assured of being able to make your own energy drink so you can stay on top of your regular nutrition. The "sludge" in the GU flask trick just makes for easier mixing on the road. No powder to blow away, or foil packet to leak out of. And a Gu/gel flask would easily fit in a jersey pocket.<HR>

AWESOME idea. Consider it DONE.

My hydration belt Gel flask will be very pleased. To date I have had absolutely no reason to use it. Now I do. Seriously good idea, because I'm not picky with my water. I've sucked down the tastiest gas station water in the east. Did I just say tastiest... maybe I should have said nastiest. And except for five black toenails and a few warts on my big thumb, middle finger, pointer finger, pinky, and even on the bottom of my pinky toe on my left foot, I only twitch a few times a day.

Another great tip. Thanks, DareMeNow!
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CCRaces
898 posts since
Aug 16, 2007
3. May 31, 2007 6:48 PM in response to: ussoccer
Re: Bike Route Help: Hartford, CT --> Fishkill, NY
quote:<HR>Originally posted by ussoccer:
[b]
Originally posted by triandstopme:
.<HR>

AWESOME idea. Consider it DONE.

I've sucked down the tastiest gas station water in the east. Did I just say tastiest... maybe I should have said nastiest. And except for five black toenails and a few warts on my big thumb, middle finger, pointer finger, pinky, and even on the bottom of my pinky toe on my left foot, I only twitch a few times a day.

Another great tip. Thanks, DareMeNow![/B]


lol
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