Pedaling Through Time: Connecticut’s Best Backroads for the Soulful Cyclist

Connecticut, a state often overshadowed by its flashier neighbors, hides a treasure trove of backroads that beckon to the adventurous cyclist. These routes are more than mere paths; they are gateways into the soul of New England—refined, elegant, historic, and picturesque. Each turn reveals quaint villages and cultured towns where history whispers through ancient oaks and stone walls. Here is your guide to some of Connecticut's most enchanting bicycle routes.

1. **Litchfield Hills Loop**

*Route: Litchfield - Bantam Lake - Morris*

Start in Litchfield (Main St., Litchfield, CT 06759), an epitome of Colonial charm with white clapboard houses standing as silent sentinels from another era. Pedal past Bantam Lake (Bantam Lake Rd., Morris, CT 06763), where Thoreau might have found his Walden if he had ventured further south. The road winds through rolling hills dotted with red barns and grazing cows—a pastoral painting come alive.

2. **Mystic Coastal Ride**

*Route: Mystic - Noank - Groton Long Point*

Begin at Mystic Seaport (75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT 06355), where wooden ships creak under the weight of maritime lore. Cycle towards Noank (Pearl St., Noank, CT 06340) for lobster rolls that taste like summer distilled into a bite-sized memory before heading to Groton Long Point (East Shore Ave., Groton Long Point, CT 06340). This route offers glimpses of lighthouses standing guard against time itself.

3. **Farmington Valley Greenway**

*Route: Farmington Canal Heritage Trail*

The Farmington Valley Greenway stretches over multiple towns but start your journey in Simsbury (Iron Horse Blvd., Simsbury, CT 06070). This trail follows an old canal path lined with sycamores whose leaves whisper secrets from centuries past—perhaps even tales from Mark Twain himself who once called Hartford home.

4. **Norfolk Quiet Corner Circuit**

*Route: Norfolk - Colebrook River Reservoir*

Norfolk’s town green (Greenwoods Rd E & Maple Ave Ext., Norfolk Historic District) feels like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting—a place so quintessentially New England it almost hurts in its beauty. Head towards Colebrook River Reservoir (Colebrook River Rd., Colebrook Center Historic District) for serene waters reflecting autumn foliage or winter’s stark elegance.

5. **Essex Village Meander**

*Route: Essex Village Ivoryton Deep River*

Start in Essex Village (Main St & Ferry St intersection), known for its well-preserved Federal-style homes and charming streetscapes straight out of Gilmore Girls. Continue on to Ivoryton Playhouse area (103 Main Street #1A-#9A Intersection) which has been entertaining since vaudeville days before looping back via Deep River Landing Park(174 Main Street).

Each pedal stroke along these roads invites you deeper into Connecticut's layered narrative—a tale spun from Revolutionary fervor mingled with literary brilliance la Harriet Beecher Stowe or Eugene O’Neill who found inspiration here among these landscapes rich both historically culturally diverse yet welcoming always prosperous ever-changing still timelessly beautiful forever inviting exploration anew whether seasoned traveler first-time visitor alike will find something uniquely captivating about this small but mighty corner America we call home sweet Nutmeg State!

**Websites & Twitter Handles**

1.) [Visit Connecticut](https://www.ctvisit.com)

2.) [Mystic Seaport Museum](https://www.mysticseaport.org)

3.) [Farmington Canal Heritage Trail](http://fchtrail.org/)

4.) [Ivoryton Playhouse](https://www.ivorytonplayhouse.org)

Twitter:

- @CTVisit

- @mysticseaport

- @FCHTrail