Globe Hollow Reservoir and Case Mtn

In preparation for an event this Saturday, I scouted out and biked the route we will be taking. We will definitely avoid the trail I marked as "Big Mistake" - that section was NOT a pleasant ride

At the Globe Hollow Reservoir

Red Gates Pond

Huh -- Where's the water?

Charter Oak Greenway - Bolton Stretch

After riding a couple of loops at Case Mountain, I decided to ride the section of the Charter Oak Greenway I had yet to do - the last stretch between Birch Mtn Road and The Bolton Notch. I hadn't ridden this on my earlier trek back in April.

It was mostly uphill and a bit more strenuous on the mountain bike but nevertheless I did it without dismounting.

After a long uphill to this sign, there's a super long downhill stretch before getting to the bridge. Ooo yeah!

Once at Bolton Notch, I of course had to re-ride thru the tunnel and a rock cut - I never tire of rock cuts!

Due to all the heavy rain we had recently, there was even a small waterfall! :-)

After the ride back, I stopped by the Highland Market for a sandwich...

Charter Oak Greenway - Part 2

I had a mission - to ride the western section of the Charter Oak Greenway! Back in April, I rode the Greenway eastward from the Charter Oak Park but today I wanted to explore the section west of the park. I knew it wouldn't be that enticing--it's just a 8ft wide slice of asphalt that generally parallels a busy super highway--but nevertheless--it was on my bucket list.

After an unexpected visit to the Manchester car show, I of course had to play the musical instruments a bit before debarking westward from the lovely Charter Oak Park.

As I was riding, I discovered a garden railway along Hartford Road! :-)

-Short One-handed video-

this is the section north of I-384

This was the nicest section of the ride (by the Manchester Community college)

Once I could see Hartford in the distance, I turned around and headed back. The Blue dot on the AllTrails map below indicates my location where I snapped the photo and then turned back.

See the skyline?

There's a spur north to Wickham Park that I will have to ride at some point as well...

Manchester Community College looked almost sci-fi surreal!

Charter Oak Greenway

After riding the Cheney Rail Trail and a tasty lunch of hot chicken wings and a Two Roads Two Juicy IPA - I parked at Charter Oak Park for a bike ride on the Charter Oak Greenway.

I was intrigued by the musical instruments in the Music Garden and of course had to play a few :-)

The Bike Ride

After indulging in the musical garden, I finally started on my ride and headed east towards Bolton Notch. The first section was flat but there was surprisingly a lot of climbing involved!

A few highlights...
The ride along the stream in Charter Oak Park was the sweetest part!

This trail is part of the ambitious East Coast Greenway...

I turned around a bit after doing the loop and bridge over Rt, 534 and bombed the rest of the way back - heck it was 95% downhill!

Google Maps

I shot a few photos once back in Charter Oak Park - it is really lovely....

"Grafitti" 

To quote Arnold Schwarzenegger: "I'll be back!"