Long Island To Mystic, CT Sat Aug 9

[madmax-im]

Originally posted by Scootstado2


Well that leaves going thru PA to NY and down from MA.

Well there have got to be other roads that parallel I-95 but arent slabs..I know part of the way...the Merritt Parkway does...til you get to New Haven....but I see some other back roads OFC this is gonna take more time...like I said not sure Im gonna do this run...will let you know soon....Hey Earl whats your plan?

[Scootstado2]

Originally posted by madmax-im

Well there have got to be other roads that parallel I-95 but arent slabs..I know part of the way...the Merritt Parkway does...til you get to New Haven....but I see some other back roads OFC this is gonna take more time...like I said not sure Im gonna do this run...will let you know soon....Hey Earl whats your plan?

Yeah, you're right. I was only kidding. If you need alternate routes I can give them to you but they all add significant miles. Your best bet IMHO is Plan A, stay on LI Friday and take the ferry.

[madmax-im]

Originally posted by Scootstado2


Yeah, you're right. I was only kidding. If you need alternate routes I can give them to you but they all add significant miles. Your best bet IMHO is Plan A, stay on LI Friday and take the ferry.

Yeah...its the lesser of two evils...I have to believe that LI routes wont be as bad as CT routes...and going thru the NYC metro.area sucks too.So I dont know ....

[madmax-im]

Ferry is the best way!

I asked over on the ST forum abt which routes from LI are best to get to Mystic...and Randy...you had it right the first time...most everyone says the ferry to New London is the best way to go...and I agree...So I dont know why you changed your mind abt this...but if I am going...the ferry is the best choice for me....Thats abt a 160 mile ride from me here in NJ not too bad but will require split second timing in order to meet up with you...but if you are going via rte 95 then we'll have to meet up in New London..thats assuming that I am going...as of yet to make a final decision.Staying at a motel for one night and checking out the area around Merrick and the cheapest motel is $166/nite!Thats in Freeport ant 2 miles from Merrick...let me know if you change your mind abt the route up there.Taking the ferry would prolly make for a more relaxed ride..as its not far from New London to Mystic...and you wouldnt need to get on 95 for very long ...if at all...just my .02 cents....

[BobE]

Ridden down I-95 many a time to NYC area by bike and car...I wouldn't recommend I-95 below Bridgeport on a bike, but I hate congestion anyway. I would think the LI/Ferry way would be better and less stressful, but I have never been in that area, so I cannot attest to it. The Merritt Parkway can be a blessing or a horror, depending on time of day and accidents.

Another option from PA, depending on where in PA one is, is to take I-84 into CT to I-691 to CT-66 to CT-9 to I-95. I-95 is much less congested from that point northward. CT-66 takes one into Middletown, CT, but it is a straight ride right through town to CT-9. CT-9 is a very peaceful ride. Taken that route many times with great success. Middletown also offers plenty of places to stop for gas/relax/eat if needed.

[randy]

You guys are killin' me. The ferry was my first choice for the relaxing trip, scenery, etc. Then I realized the the ferry will add 1:20 to my trip, not nice. Add to that the fare and the bloom was off that rose.

So I guess I'm still on the fence.

[BobE]

Well Randy, it all depends on your tolerance of congestion, traffic, and PITA drivers. I personally have NO tolerance for any of that.

If you are used to big city traffic and it doesn't raise your blood pressure, then going up I-95 will not be a problem for you. If, like me, you were raised in the Adirondacks and live in the more "rural" section of Little Rhody, then you want a more relaxing trip.

[randy]

OK, a little background is in order here.

I started riding in Brooklyn, NY in'73. Between '81 and '85 I used my KZ400 as a freelance messenger service in Manhattan.Been riding in the NY metro area 35 yrs, so I guess I'm used to the *alls-to-the-wall pace!

95 doesn't phase me, been up and down that corridor many many times, even remember when the Mianus River Bridge fell down in the middle of the night - anyone remember that? Think it was '80? 95 was closed for quite a while after that! Look it up, it's an interesting story. Middle of the night, whole section of the bridge just fell out from underneath traffic. Cars, trucks went right off into the river 100+ feet below, gruesome. There was a big investigation into pin-and hanger type bridges immediately after.

You know they changed the name of the bridge since then, sneaky bastards!

[rneal55555]

Well I can scout it out for you the weekend before I have to be in Yorktown, VA on Mon the 4th for work. Right now the plan is to leave Sat Morning an turn it into an Ironbutt Ride on the Connie straight down 95 to South Of the Border then back up to VA. So unless something changes I can observe and report the traffic flow construction etc of the Sat morning the week before, should be about the same.

Depending how work goes it's conceivable, I could be right there with you on the 9th, I hope to be able to leave by Fri Morning but I have stay until the job is done. If I have to work there Fri I'll probably try ad take a nap and leave around Midnight or so.

[madmax-im]

this changes everything

geez Randy...I had no idea you were so savvy in NYC...well just let me know what time you wanna meet at Mystic Pizza and I'll be there...my way ofc...

[earl G]

bobe's route would work for me, just take 209 to 84. but randy i'll ride up with you, if you are taking 95, got to figure out where are paths cross on 95. let me know. we got time

[rneal55555]

Scouting Report

I jumped on 95 Sat morning at 8:00 and ran straight down the the GW Bridge.

From what I saw had you been heading north other than a couple mile backup due to an accident between Stamford and Bridgeport you'd have has a speed limit+ ride, I did going south. Ran 70 to 75 the whole way except New Haven and Bridgeport.

The road was by no means deserted but not crowded enough to slow things down either. I wish I could say as much for 95 south of DC, had about a 20 mile stretch where 30 was really moving.

Looks like my work here will be complete on Tues or Wed so I should be heading home Wed or Thur.

[BobE]

Initial weather forecasts say Saturday is going to be clear and sunny....of course, that WILL change at least 5 times before Friday!

Looking forward to meeting you folks! I hope you are not too embarrassed to be around the Old Coot, he is still in the process of rejuvenation and looking very rough these days. Come wintertime I hope to strip him down and "go through" him....

[CarolynS]

That's half the fun...

Seeing them in the stages of being restored or remodeled!
Don't worry about that!
Witch has her issues too, and same plan-winter! I never thought I'd look forward to winter...LOL!
Let's hope the weather holds to that forecast!

[madmax-im]

Max wont be coming

Hey everyone...got back from some R and R (restore and resuscitate) for Madmax ..unfortunately he is still not right more details when I see you all...I'll be riding the Red Queen..she's a regal lady but no brute like Max would be...This bike has stumped the Gurus in some respects but the list of ailments is narrowed to one.this will take another tech day!So anyone who has previously worked on Max could have anothershot at him hint hint....BTW he has a new look...