The Almost Perfect Rides

The Almost Perfect* Rides

Inspired by a ride True Cyclery organized some years back, let’s get on our bikes and ride some of the most popular climbs in the New Haven area! 

There are 5 rides to choose from, so choose the one that seems just out of reach and then GO FOR IT! 

This is a completely self-supported ride. There will be no organization, and you'll be riding on roads open to car traffic. There are markings on the linked routes for recommended places to stop for food and water. Please pay attention to cautionary markings as well! You are responsible for your own safety.

 

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almost_perfect_number

 

 The Rides:

20 – The One-Sixteenth Ride

The building block, upon which all other rides are based. Got a half-hour to spare? Just ride the Rock. Here’s the route

5 miles400 feet of climbing

Climbs:

East Rock21 – The One-Eighth Ride

Here we go, let’s add some more distance and double the climbs. Here’s the route

20 miles1200 feet of climbing

Climbs:

East RockKimberly - *Note: Quinnipiac University has said we cannot ride past the gates, so PLEASE DON'T22 – The One-Quarter Ride

The original. The inspiration. The core 4. This is a ride. Doubling the climbs from the 21 ride but tripling the distance and elevation gain: Here’s the route

63 miles4500 feet of climbing

Climbs:

East RockWhirlwindCastle CraigKimberly - *Note: Quinnipiac University has said we cannot ride past the gates, so PLEASE DON'T23 – The One-Half Ride

Okay now we’re getting crazy with it. Do you want to ruin a perfectly good day? How about 8 climbs in 80 miles? This one has all of the previous ones plus some of the staples of the weekly NHBC rides: Here’s the route

80 miles6000 feet of climbing

Climbs:

East RockWest ToddThe WallChestnut LaneThe OrchardWhirlwindCastle CraigKimberly - *Note: Quinnipiac University has said we cannot ride past the gates, so PLEASE DON'T24 – The Absolute Unit

If you’re masochistic and you know it, clap your hands. This is not for the faint of heart (nor the unprepared)! 

The final doubling, we’ve now got 16 climbs to contend with…

This one will make you regret that you ever learned how to ride a bike. It’s a really dumb way to spend your time. Here’s the route

120 miles10500 feet of climbing

Climbs:

East RockWest ToddThe WallTalmadge RoadKimberly - *Note: Quinnipiac University has said we cannot ride past the gates, so PLEASE DON'TChestnut LaneThe OrchardWhirlwindCastle CraigHoliday HillHorton HillHunters MountainAndrew MountainBlackberry HillPeck HillFountain Street