Tom Danielson Ride Wrap Up

We lucked out with some nice weather, the temperature was in the low to mid 60s. It was windy but hey you can't have everything. We waited at the East Lyme high school for the arrival of Tom so the ride could begin, he was a wee bit late.

A small portion of the rides participants waiting for the ride to start

He finally arrived in a limo with a police escort

Tom, his wife Stephanie and son Steven

Tom was greeted by his childhood neighbor before the ride. Photo taken by Abigail Pheiffer/The Day

Tom talks to Grace Vandal from Mystic, CT. while waiting for the ride to start.  Photo taken by Abigail Pheiffer/The Day

Approximately 270 riders started the ride leaving the high school in a giant peleton. We had a police escort which blocked off the busy intersection at Flanders four corners. Tom Danielson and all the locals who have ridden on the Post road, including myself were excited to have the whole road to ourselves. Naturally as the ride progressed the peleton thinned out. By Mile Creek Rd I found myself riding in a group of 3, I never said I was fast.

The ride split at Ashlawn Farm. Those riding the 25 mile route went to the left down Town Woods Rd., those riding the 50 mile route continued on Bill Hill Rd, past Ashlawn Farm just to the right of this picture.

The farmer's market was going strong at Ashlawn Farm

Tom at the presentation in the auditorium where he 
once watched others as a high school student

At 4:00 PM there was a presentation given in the high school auditorium. The presentation consisted of a short video about Tom Danielson's career, then Tom talked for a bit, followed by a Q&A session and ending with autographs and pictures.
 During the presentation he spoke about his 9th place finish in this years Tour de France, his first time ever riding in the TDF. He told us how the roads are really narrow and bumpy in France, and the roads we cycled on today were much better than most of the roads on the TDF. He was asked about the impact of the cheering fan's along the roads in the mountains. He confirmed that they sometimes did pose a danger to the riders but mostly they encouraged you to go as hard as you can. It was the first time his ears ever hurt from the cheering. He is stoked to get to the TDF this year and try to improve on his 9th place finish.

Tour of Old Lyme

Last Friday when I registered for the Tom Danielson ride I got a quick look at the route cue sheet . Because its a local event for me I am familiar with most of the roads. I decided to take a ride through part of the route in preparation for the ride.

The TD ride will stop at Ashlawn Farm which is in Lyme on Bill Hill Rd. I usually get there via Rte 156 but today I took Sill Lane and Saunders Hollow Rd which end on Rte 156 just a short bit away from Bill Hill Rd. The TD ride will split at this Ashlawn Farm and those that are riding the 25 mile route will take Town Woods Rd. to the Post Rd. I pedaled a short bit beyond the farm to Blood Street which is my usual route from Ashlawn back to Old Lyme.  Blood Street is almost all down hill when traveling south. You can check out the rest of the ride on the link to  Map My Ride below.

Vista Tour de Shore

              Leaving from Westbrook Center, Westbrook, Connecticut 

               Registration: 8:00 AM

               Start times:  8:30 AM - 60 mile ride

                                 9:30 AM - 40 mile ride

                                 10:00 AM  - 25 mile ride 

                                 11:00 AM - 1 mile fun ride

                For more information click this link: vistatourdecure.com

Tom Danielson Charity Ride

Ride 25 or 50 miles with the 2011 Tour de France 9th place finisher. 

Saturday October 15th

Benefits Connecticut Chapter of the American Heart Association

 

Ride starts at East Lyme High School, East Lyme, Connecticut
Sign in starts at 8:00 AM, ride leaves at 9:15

Click here to get route cue sheet

Click here for registration information 

Ladies' Nights

October 12th and 13th Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill and Glastonbury, CT our hosting a group ride for ladies from 4-6PM, and at 6:30-8:30PM a basic bike maintenance and skills clinic. For more details go to the link below.

http://cyclingconcepts.com/

Trikes To Bikes

October 9th at Niantic Bay Bicycles 

                                     http://www.childrensmuseumsect.org/trikestobikes2011.html

Niantic Center, Flanders 4 Corners

Today's ride starts and ends at St Anns church on Rte 156 in Old Lyme. Shortly after leaving Old Lyme you begin a steepish hill which ends next to the back entrance of Rocky Neck State Park's hiking trails. You can let your bike fly down the 1/4 mile decent but be aware there is a traffic light at the bottom of the hill. The next hill begins shortly after passing the prison and ends at the junction of Rte 156 and Roxbury Rd, after that point you can easily pedal or coast into Niantic Center.

The first big hill leading into Niantic is the back side of this 9% decent.

Niantic center is a quaint little area with restaurants, shops, a movie theater, children's museum, and a boardwalk along the bay. While I was in Niantic I stopped at Niantic Bay Bicycles on Methodist St. From there I traveled on Rte 161 to Flanders Four Corners. Rte 161/Flanders Road travels through a commercial district becoming 4 lanes with lots of traffic during business hours, it can be difficult to get across. I find it easiest to ride into the left turn lane at the junction of 161 and Boston Post Road and turn with the light.

Niantic Bay Bicycles on Methodist St in Niantic center

From the four corners the Post Road gradually climbs 150 ft with the longest hill ending at the junction of Bride Brook and Boston Post Road. Scott's Yankee Farmer which sells fruits, vegetables, and flowers is located on the left.

Scott's fruit and vegetable stand

If you feel like stretching your legs stop by to pick your own apples or find your way through the corn maze. After passing Scott's the road descends to Old Lyme. There is one final hill that begins at the junction of Four Mile River Road.

Last Hill

Once you get up the hill its easy pedaling through Old Lyme back to St Ann's church.