NW Connecticut Dirt/Gravel Riding

[Cantdog]

Heading to Litchfield Co for a week starting Saturday, never been. Staying around Sharon. Folks for some favorite places to ride? I’ll be bringing my gravel bike. Anything else definitely worth checking out in the area?

[fiamme red]

There are many scenic roads in that area, paved and dirt. There are some nice dirt roads between Sharon and Kent. Skiff Mountain, West Woods, and Macedonia Brook are a few that come to mind.

There's a paved rail trail on the NY side of the state line that runs between Wassaic and Millerton, which is pretty nice.

[DarrenCT]

I’ve been riding in this area for 15 years. From Sharon, take West Woods to Macedonia Brook to Kent. You can go to South Kent which is stunning. See the route below. You can also head toward Salisbury and climb Mt. Riga which is one of my favorite roads in Litchfield County.

If you need more specific help, just DM me.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29700837

[fiamme red]

Crossing CT-41 from Skiff Mountain Rd by the Kent School, you can continue on Schaghticoke Rd, a dirt road, down to Bulls Bridge Rd, where there's a covered bridge across the Housatonic River.

If you like car racing, Lime Rock Park is nearby.

[tctyres]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

There are many scenic roads in that area, paved and dirt. There are some nice dirt roads between Sharon and Kent. Skiff Mountain, West Woods, and Macedonia Brook are a few that come to mind.

There's a paved rail trail on the NY side of the state line that runs between Wassaic and Millerton, which is pretty nice.

Ironically, your post about the guy getting hit on Amsterdam reminded me how I don't miss New York City. I used to live near there and rode up Amsterdam 100 times if I did it once. I do, however, miss Macedonia Brook Road. Going one way, it's a nice climb out of the valley. Going the other way, it's a fun gravel/hardpack descent.

At the base of Mt. Riga in Salisbury, there's a great little coffee shop run by some ex-NYC'ers: Sweet William's. It's a great place to get a shot of caffeine before the climb. Mt Riga is definitely worth the trip, too.

[verticaldoug]

Originally Posted by DarrenCT

I’ve been riding in this area for 15 years. From Sharon, take West Woods to Macedonia Brook to Kent. You can go to South Kent which is stunning. See the route below. You can also head toward Salisbury and climb Mt. Riga which is one of my favorite roads in Litchfield County.

If you need more specific help, just DM me.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29700837

like Dct said.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35540800
The dirt road across Riga with bish bash.

You might want to hike the red trail on the NY/Mass border which is the ridgeline.


https://gravelmap.com/#10/41.9513/-73.4257
a lot to chose from in the area

[mdeth1313]

If you make it down to Kent, also take a look at riding through Macedonia Brook State Park. From Kent north it will put you out near the dirt roads by Skiff Mtn.

[Peter P.]

Here's another dirt road ride in the area:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1181823

I've ridden it a few times. Scenic, quiet, and hilly. There's a good sandwich stop at the halfway point, 35 miles, at the Taconic State Park Rail/Trail crossing.

[Kingson]

a little north of Sharon, in SW Berkshire county, there is a network of dirt roads boardered by rts 44, 41, 7 and 23.
do not miss the trail that extends south of Giberson Rd. its off limits to cars, and is a fantastic ride.
there are also other "routes" in that area that are questionable as to whether bike riding is allowed. maybe private property? but there were no signs posted. i did have to hop a chain or two to get access. FANTASTIC riding if you're looking for a little more primitive than just dirt roads.
i'd have to go into google street view to remember where they are.
there's also Undermountain Rd that goes north from Salisbury up into Mt Washington state park

i really miss that area.
best place i've ever been for riding.

[Peter P.]

I've also ridden the Rapha Litchfield ride, which encompasses many of the roads I listed above.

The benefit of this route is it can be broken into two loops, like a figure-eight, with one loop beginning and ending in Litchfield, and each loop is of a more reasonable distance. To ride the entire 100+ mile route is brutal.

Here's the cue sheet.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/506091

I parked in public parking behind some storefronts on Main Street.

[J.Higgins]

There are dirt roads in CT?

I thought the whole state was paved.

Then why are there so many CT plates up heah?

[Cantdog]

Some great info here, thanks! Looking forward to checking out some of these routes.