Bike packing in CT and/or southern MA?

Submitted by wherehaveubeen t3_10rweys in Connecticut

I’m flirting with the idea of trying bike packing with my kids this summer. They’re only 8 and 10 so I’m hoping to find a relatively easy 30-50 mile (maybe more?) loop or line in the area that offers camping somewhere around the halfway point. Just to be out on the bikes “roughing” it for a night would be a nice adventure.

I’ve looked on the big bike packing websites and CT and MA seem to be bikepacking deserts. I’m hoping someone who has done this before will be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

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buried_lede t1_j6y06ty wrote

Good question. I wonder if there are any camping sites along the Farmington Canal Heritage trail in CT. It’s a paved, off road trail that allows bikes, roller blades, pedestrians

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wherehaveubeen OP t1_j6y0q2d wrote

Replying to buried_lede (#1,705,627)

I love that trail but I’m not sure about camping either. I’m not sure if it’s legal to camp on any trail or if it has to be a campsite. I’d probably prefer a campsite with the kids either way.

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Kodiak01 t1_j6y7oip wrote

Depending where you are in the State, the Farmington Canal Rail Trail is 81.2 miles, I believe at the northern end it connects to the Southwick Rail Trail in MA.

Just off the Southwick Rail Trail is Southwick Acres Campground which has a lot of good reviews.

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killjobs t1_j6yenql wrote

Not sure if you follow Ron from Ron’s bikes on instagram. He is certainly a character but big in the bike packing world and now that he and his wife run a bike tire business and bike bag business they have settled in hadlyme. I would try messaging Ron @ultradynamico or @ronsbikes on insta. Each October he runs a bike backing meet up called the New England Nor Easter that draws people from out of state so I bet he has some recommendations for ya.

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whateverusayboi t1_j6z63pv wrote

Replying to wherehaveubeen (#1,705,652)

American Legion SF, Austin Hawes campground near Pleasant Valley on River Rd. is real nice. Think you'd have to ride from the rail trail onto 44 past Satan's Kingdom, but the bike lane is pretty wide, then turning off toward the river in New Hartford is beautiful. You might be able to cross the river further south and head upriver on the East side, not sure as I don't mind 44 at all in that area.

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Independent_Steak652 t1_j71y3h7 wrote

Rail trail goes from wassaic, ny, through Millerton and up to taconic state park with camping. No roads necessary.

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