Norwalk River Valley Trail (Part 2)

Although it was a bit overcast and gray, I drove over to Wilton to ride a second section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail  (Part 1  >). My mountain bike was in the shop so this was a road bike trek. The trail is between Merwins Park and the Wilton School Complex,

On my short ride toward the eastern parking lot along the river, I thought this tree in the water was interesting

Norwalk River Valley Trail

The trail starts north out of the parking lot in Merwins Park. It actually is quite scenic along the river - imagine it on a nice sumer day will all the trees and plant in full greenery!

Later historical research confirmed my suspicion that the dam had a mill on the east side.

Also, just north of the dam, an old foundation is visible next to the trail. As this older topo map shows, the trail was actually a road that went up to this building.

For a short section, the trail narrows and hugs the riverbank.

 Old ruins caught my eye..

Once you reach the High School, you can ride up the road to the school in the back and zoom back down on a different branch of the trail...

 Finally you can ride thru Merwins Park and even back out under the main road.

Not super exciting and awfully short, the ride was nevertheless fun - fresh air and riverside rides are always a pleasure..

Norwalk River Valley Trail

Being that that my mountain bike is in the shop - it was time to check out the Norwalk River Valley Trail on the road bike. I had a tasty omelete at Orems’s for breakfast but holy smokes!! --  that diner was crowded (lucky I got a place to park). After the eggs and coffee I headed out across Rt 7 and was glad I was wearing gloves and a cap - it was brisk out.

The trail is actually easy to ride but very nice and a lot of fun. Undulating curves and lots of hills (super gradual) made it a pleasure to ride.

I rode the Wilton section up past Sharp Hill Road to where the trail stops...

RT 7 crossing at Orem's Dinier

Nice stone bench!

End of the line (for now)

Unfortunately, on the way back, I got carried away with speed (there weren’t any other folks on the trail for a long stretch) and at an unexpected sharp curve, smashed into a tree — head first!! Ouch.  Thank God for helmets or I would have been a basket case.

I got back to the car and drove up to Merwin Park before I realized I lost my phone. Well after a bit of a panic, I drove and ride back to the crash site and I found it! Badness, madness, sadness and gladness all in a short stretch of time - Yikes.

I decided to head up to Ridgefield and calm myself by a hike on the Rail Trail.

Quick Hits at Luther and Colonie

I was upstate for the weekend to visit my parents and popped out for a couple of quick hits on my mountain bike.

Luther Forest

Man it was chilly to start off - I almost wish I had full fingered gloves but after about 20 minutes or so it started to warm up. My morning ride took exactly one hour - I rode the whole park. Also had the good fortune of seeing a deer. She whizzed by in front of me on one of the ravine trails. :-)

At the start of the bowl

The trails along the ravine are easy but squeezing thru the trees keeps it always fun :-)

Colonie Shale Trail

I did a 40 minute quickie over at Colonie mid afternoon. The weather still was a bit chilly but the riding was fun. The three panoramas below are two-photo combos.

Pasta Loop starts on the right (Note trail sign on tree)

After the Pasta Loop, the Yellow Trail skirts along the edge of the encroaching new development 

This is at the old east entrance - you can still exit out this way from the Yellow Trail.
There are trail signs on the trees in green indicating this as the exit trail.
If you look closely in the photo you can see the old entrance.

Tradition

A Stewarts Mountain Brew - I am at the7 Rt 9 Mohawk River Crossing.