Mount Meriden Ride

We had a good ride today, we met at DD in Colchester for a 10am A.O.B. with the main group meeting in Canterbury. There was a delay because we had word that one of the members went to the wrong location so we held off departure until 1040am. While we were there Vincent showed up, he had not seen the E-mail, but he figured he would not have enough time to get his bike and get back. Gene was at Dunkin to see us off and followed us up 16 till he pulled off at his road.

We headed out up 85 to 16 and took that across to 66. We made a stop at the Subway shop in Portland to pickup lunch, we pulled in behind a Police car, (who parked in the "No Parking" zone). I made for a regular spot, Rick pulled into the handicapped parking area. The officer came right over to say something but Rick pointed at his plate, to which the Officer said, "I've never seen a Handicapped Motorcycle plate before".

After picking up lunch Rick lead us across the Connecticut River on 66 into Middletown then followed 66 to 691.With Meriden being the next town there was no sense jumping off for a back road so we took 691 to exit 6 and cruised through town to Hubbard Park.

The road up to East Peak, to Castle Craig (more on that later). was narrow and twisty and looked to be fun, but since we caught a few cars ahead of us we parked to give them time to climb the hill and not impede us, we still caught them halfway up. Near the top the cages went right as we continued to the castle, but there was still no running the corners because we were behind what is probably the slowest sport bike rider alive.

Arriving at the top we did the normal walk and look, sat for lunch then headed down hill for the ride home.

Rick took us home an entirely different, and better, route. We went west on West Main to South End road to Cheshire street.   We stayed on Cheshire til it merged with 70. A left off 70 onto 68 took us across Broad Brook Reservoir, through Yalesville,Wallingford, and Durham where we turned left on 17 and right on Maiden Lane.

From here to Higganum was a delight, tight corners, sweeping curves, hill climbing, hill crests and drops. Maiden to Haddam Quarter road,  a right on Foothills road, through Millers pond State Park, Foothills rd sweeps down through the hills to Candlewood, a left on Candlewood and a run to the end at rte 154 in Higganum.

Route 154 took us down to 82 and a stop for coffee and goodbyes. From there we crossed the Connecticut River and split up, each going towards home.

A great ride.

Now about Fort Craig...

The ride went pretty smooth, everyone stayed with their wingman, no one started up front and ended up in the back or vise a versa. We did not use any Road Guards, or radios and yet everything went pretty smooth.

We didn't have a big turnout, it was a nice small, manageable group.

Let's see, there was Rick, and me...and ah...Rick...then there was....

klay