Sunday Ride Report - Clyde's Cider Mill

The ride from Dunkin Donuts in Montville was very scenic and twisty. I don't recall all of the roads we took, but I'm sure that Dale will be happy to fill you in if you ask. Since we wanted to be there for the apple pressing, we left promptly (well promptly for our club!) at about 10 AM and arrived at the cider mill shortly before 11 AM. The gravel parking lot and a good section of the road was packed with cars, so the majority of us pulled down on the grass near the picnic tables. 

The steam boiler that powers the press is the original equipment. It was originally powered with coal and wood, but has since been converted to heating oil.

"STAND BACK" and "PLEASE DON'T STAND UNDER THE BELTS"

Look at those juices flowing!

This holding tank is the same type used for milk.

  

Chopped apples fall down the chute, where it is wrapped in cloth that is placed on wooden racks.

Then another layer goes on top.

That's six TONS of apple juice.

Those belts seemed to be awfully loose, but they were doing the job and they weren't squealing.

Now 9 Tons!

Two tractor-trailer loads of apples are brought in from New York every week. According to the man I was talking to (I think he was the owner), land prices in CT make it too expensive for large orchards to operate in CT.

They look happy! How much "tasting" is going on in there?

Did anyone take advantage of the syrup tasting?

Man, this line isn't moving!

But as Mark pointed out to me, the one out front is.

Dave, Randall and Julie wised up when I didn't come back and they joined me out front.

The apple doughnuts were delicious. Dave made the mistake of using Mark's bike as a table and he exacted a tax of one doughnut. Did any of those doughnuts make it back to Margo?

There was also locally made goat cheese and honey for sale.

We took a short ride down to the Mystic Diner for lunch.

Mark entertained us with new uses for garnishments. He also treated us to Pot Stickers that were delicious and his now infamous "Moose Balls". Thanks!

Now that we were quite full, someone had the great idea of going over to the New London Pier for the Barbecue Competition!

Once again, finding parking was a challenge. 

Fortunately we had an in with the local constabulary.

The blues band was excellent.

There was competitive jump roping team demonstrating their skills.

Some of the members tried out for the team......

Only one made it.

I followed the group down the pier, passing a number of vendors, most of who were not open. Finally I caught up to them here....

BFF has a new meaning here. 

The weather was beautiful.

The Hot Rod Cafe looked like a happening place, so we decided to check it out.

On the way we found Jim and his wife enjoying the deck at the Dickson's Tavern - formerly the Bank Street Roadhouse?

We stopped and said hi to them. The tavern had a really cool bar made of a boat hull.

This mural graces the side wall of the Hot Rod Cafe.

Patio?? More like a deck don't you think? Anyway it was totally packed, so we ended up at....

Where a good time was had by all. 

What happened on the deck, will stay on the deck.....For now!