Check out these amazing opportunities to get outside together!
These activities are hosted and sponsored by CT Appalachian Mountain Club and led by Bike West Hartford Ambassador Leo Pon. See AMC Trip Policy
Registration is required. Please register online through ct-amc.org under ‘Bicycling’ or. ‘Hiking’ and then ‘Current Bike Listing’ or ‘Current Hike Listing’.
To participate in rides, please bring a bike in good condition, a properly fitting helmet, a spare inner tube, water and snacks. Bright clothing, flat repair kit, front and rear warning lights recommended.
Bike Tour of West Hartford and Farmington Canal Heritage Trail Rides
Saturday, March 21, 12-3pm – Bike Tour of West Hartford Pleasant 22 mile ride through quiet residential streets, over moderate rolling terrain and avoiding larger hills and heavy traffic. There will be a coffee/brunch stop near the end of the ride. Starting Location: Meet at Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, in the parking area next to the greenhouses and the new visitor center. Enter Elizabeth Park from Asylum Ave. Additional parking is available behind the visitor center and on most side streets including Walbridge Rd. For more details and to register, click the link above.
Sunday, March 22, 12-3pm – Farmington Canal Heritage Trail – Southington to Hamden This ‘flat and easy’ 30 mile sightseeing ride on a beautiful rail trail starts in Southington CT and goes south to Hamden. Along the way, we’ll pass several trailside art projects and Historic Lock 12. In Hamden, we’ll stop at a local pizza restaurant, but you can turn around whenever you wish. Meet at the small trail parking lot at 90 Lazy Ln, Southington CT, opposite the Police station. For more details and to register, click the link above.
Main Lighthouse Cycling Weekend
Friday, September 18, 2026 12:30pm to Sunday, September 20, 2026 10:00am – Maine Lighthouse Cycling Weekend – This weekend adventure offers a wonderful opportunity to tour and cycle through some of the most scenic locations of Southern Maine. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, meet new people, and have fun! We will meet on Friday, September 18, 2026 in Portland, Maine, and enjoy a Portland Harbor Cruise followed by a group dinner.
The Maine Lighthouse Ride is a big, rolling celebration of cycling in Maine, and early fall along the Maine coast is always something to celebrate. True to its name, MLR highlights the breathtaking views of coastal southern Maine, including multiple lighthouses, rolling terrain, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Scarborough Marsh.
MLR offers four routes to challenge riders of all abilities – 25 miles, 40 miles, 62 miles, and 100 miles! All routes begin and end at the beautiful oceanfront campus of Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) in South Portland. Routes are marked, with maps and cue sheets available to download and print. Rest stops are set up along the routes. The post-ride celebration at CMCC includes entertainment, a meal and two complimentary beers. After the ride, you are free to spend more time exploring Portland or drive up to Freeport and the LL Bean outlet. Dinner is on your own this night. On Sunday, September 20, we will drive north to explore the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens with over 300 acres of beautiful gardens and natural spaces (and guarded by giant trolls…).
Class 1 and 2 E-bikes are allowed!
Prior hikes and rides:
Monday, October 20th – Thursday, October 23rd 1:00pm-1:00pm – Hike the White Mountains – The White Mountains in New Hampshire offers miles of remote trails, mountain tops and scenic splendor. The trails vary in length, and degree of difficulty. This adventure is for beginner or vintage hikers seeking less strenuous journeys in the Whites. We plan to trek 2 to 4 scenic miles each morning and afternoon at a gentler pace. We will be staying at the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch. In addition to three morning and evening meals there, we will have complimentary use of gear in the LL Bean equipment room, including clothing, rain gear, back packs, boots and more. If you are looking for an introduction to real New Hampshire wilderness hiking, this is the trip for you.
Friday, August 15th, 2025, 3:00pm-5:30pm – Ride the Farmington River Trail, Farmington, CT – 20 miles This 20 mile rail trail ride on the Farmington River Trail passes through Farmington, Unionville, Collinsville and Canton. One of the most picturesque trails in New England, it follows the Farmington River as it flows past historic sites. We will meet at the parking lot at 1008 New Britain Ave (near Coppermine Rd) in Farmington. From there we will ride the Farmington River Trail 10 miles to Rt 44 in Canton where we turn around. On the way back, we pause in Collinsville for a lunch/coffee break at LaSalle Market and Deli.
Monday, August 11th, 2025 9 am – 1 pm – A Bike Tour of West Hartford. Pleasant 22 mile ride through quiet residential streets, over moderate rolling terrain and avoiding larger hills and heavy traffic. There will be a coffee/brunch stop near the end of the ride. Starting Location: Meet at Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, in the parking area next to the greenhouses and the new visitor center. Enter Elizabeth Park from Asylum Ave. Additional parking is available behind the visitor center and on most side streets including Walbridge Rd. For more details and to register, click the link above.
Thursday, July 3rd, 9:00am-12:30pm – Wethersfield/Glastonbury via Putnam Bridge – 16 miles START and END LOCATION: Keeney Memorial Cultural Center 200 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT, US in the public parking lot behind the building. This ride starts at the historic Keeney Memorial Cultural Center and continues on parts of Wethersfield’s Heritage-Way Bike Path. This multi-use path connects many of the Town’s attractions and open space areas. We then cross the Connecticut River to Glastonbury over the newly opened Putnam Bridge bike path and visit the Glastonbury Boathouse and the South Meadows River Trail. This route includes dirt, gravel and paved surfaces. I did it on a road bike but hybrids may be more appropriate. We plan to stop for brunch at a local business at the end of the ride.
Sunday, June 29th, 10:00am-2:00pm – Bike the Dutchess NY Rail Trail – 30 miles START and END LOCATION: Hopewell Depot Museum, 36 Railroad Ave, Hopewell Junction, NY, US 12533. A 30 mile round trip on a lovely paved rail trail from the Hopewell Depot Museum to the spectacular Walkway over the Hudson. We can tour the Railroad Depot before riding to the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. There will be a lunch stop at a local pizza restaurant before turning back.
Monday, June 30th, 10:00am-12:30pm – From the Flower Bridge to Congamond Coffee – 25 miles START and END LOCATION: trail parking lot at 1113 Hopmeadow Rd, just south of the RT 10 / RT 315 Junction., Simsbury, CT, US. This ‘flat and easy’ 25 mile sightseeing ride on quiet country roads and a beautiful rail trail starts in Simsbury CT and crosses the state border to Southwick MA. Along the way, we’ll pause at the Drake Hill Flower Bridge. We’ll also stop for a coffee break at a favorite cyclist cafe, Congamond Coffee, before returning. (E-bikes are welcome!)
Tuesday, April 15th, 10:00am-2:00pm – Ride the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, Granby to Westfield, MA – 30 miles START AND END LOCATION: Meet at the parking area on Floydville Rd near Rt 202, in Granby CT (across from Freshies Cafe). A flat and easy 30 mile ‘in and out’ ride on a beautiful rail trail, from Granby CT to Westfield MA, with coffee/lunch break along the way. Turn back whenever you want; a great ride for novices. (E-bikes are welcome!)
Saturday, August 9th, 2025 – 8:00am-6:00pm – Bike NYC Summer Streets – 30 miles – New York, NY Rain Date: August 16, 2025. START AND END LOCATION: New York, NY, US (40.712775, -74.005973 A 30-mile guided bike tour past many famous sights in Manhattan, including the car-free Summer Streets festival, Park Avenue, Central Park, the West Side Bikeway and Governor’s Island. Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space – it’s streets. Summer Streets takes place on select Saturdays between 7am and 3pm. Miles of NYC’s streets are open in both directions for people to play, walk, and bike. Take a break along the route at one of our rest stops to enjoy free activities. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. This route is mostly car free, but does has some short sections where we interact with light motor traffic. There is also some walking required on the pedestrian paths in Central Park. We will be stopping at various points along the route to regroup and for photos, bathroom breaks and lunch. This is our easiest and most popular NYC ride.
Thursday, April 3, 2025, noon – Ride the Farmington River Trail, Farmington, CT – 20 miles This 20 mile rail trail ride on the Farmington River Trail passes through Farmington, Unionville, Collinsville and Canton. One of the most picturesque trails in New England, it follows the Farmington River as it flows past historic sites. We will meet at the parking lot at 1008 New Britain Ave (near Coppermine Rd) in Farmington. From there we will ride the Farmington River Trail 10 miles to Rt 44 in Canton where we turn around. On the way back, we pause in Collinsville for a lunch/coffee break at LaSalle Market and Deli.
Sunday, March 16th, 2025 10 am – 2 pm – A Bike Tour of West Hartford. Pleasant 22 mile ride through quiet residential streets, over moderate rolling terrain and avoiding larger hills and heavy traffic. There will be a coffee/brunch stop near the end of the ride. Starting Location: Meet at Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, in the parking area next to the greenhouses and the new visitor center. Enter Elizabeth Park from Asylum Ave. Additional parking is available behind the visitor center and on most side streets including Walbridge Rd.For more details and to register, click the link above.
Friday, March 14th, 2025 2pm-4pm – Ride the Farmington River Trail Social ride, 10-12 mph (moderate pace). This 20 mile rail trail ride on the Farmington River Trail passes through Farmington, Unionville, Collinsville and Canton. One of the most picturesque trails in New England, it follows the Farmington River as it flows past historic sites. You can turn back whenever you want as this is an out-and-back ride. Required: a bike in good condition, a properly fitting helmet, a spare inner tube, water and snacks. Recommended: bright clothing, flat repair kit, front and rear warning lights. Location: we will meet at the parking lot at 1008 New Britain Ave (near Coppermine Rd) in Farmington. From there we will ride the Farmington River Trail 10 miles to Rt 44 in Canton where we turn around. For more details and to register, click the link above.