Barkhamsted Reservoir Road Ride

Barkhamsted Reservoir Road Ride

The Barkhamsted Reservoir ride, known as the “Res Ride”, is a 22 mile loop around the reservoir that has over 2,000 feet of climbing. This is a very difficult ride and shouldn’t be attempted by a beginner unless you have a triple chain ring up front. The hills are tough but very manageable if you have the proper gearing.

The group meets at Burg Park in East Hartland CT. The rides meet every Wednesday starting the first week of April, and get underway by 5:30pm. This means you should plan to arrive around 5:15pm and ready to go by 5:30pm. The pack will usually stay together until the first big climb. Parts of the pack will regroup, but usually you end up doing the ride with smaller groups having similar abilities. The rides usually only last through April and then switches to the more popular Wednesday and Thursday night "Shop Rides". Sometimes this ride carries into May, depending on interest.

The Tokeneke Road Club sponsors a road race that uses this exact loop, Click for 3D Image.

This is a great pre-season ride for a few reasons:

Since daylight is limited, this is a rather short ride, but provides a high quality workout.
Average speeds are slower, which is nice in the cooler weather.
Traffic is usually light in that area, no stop lights, and almost all right turns.
You have to really try to get lost.
For only 22 miles, it really kicks your butt.

Directions:
From the intersection of Rt. 219 and Rt. 44 in New Hartford: Follow Rt. 219 North (towards Ski Sundown). At the intersection of Rt. 219 and Rt. 179, stay straight on Rt. 179. In East Hartland Center, take a right at the school and your very next right on Rt 20. Burg Park will be about 1/8 mile on your right.

From the intersection of Rt. 20 and Rt. 10-202 in Granby Center: Follow Rt. 20 North into Hartland Center. Burg Park will be on your left at the top of the mountain.

Weather:
Please note, if the weather is bad this ride maybe cancelled.

Ride Directions:
Left out of parking lot. Take next left followed by immediate left on Rt 179. Follow Rt. 179 which will change to Rt. 219. At the intersection of Rt. 219 and Rt. 318, stay right on to Rt. 318. Take your next right after crossing the Reservoir Dam on Beach Rock Road. At the top of the hill, merge right on to Rt. 181. Follow Rt. 181 which will then change to Rt. 20 all the way around the Reservoir.

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