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Turnpike Loop

This is a short, pleasant ride in the Norwich vicinity. When one becomes tired of the River Loop, it often becomes the recovery ride of choice. There are many route permutations to keep things interesting.

• Go across the bridge, and through Norwich on Main St. (note: most people will take a right at the bridge, then go south on 5 to get to the center of Norwich. This way is longer +more pleasant). Take a left on turnpike road (note: I tend to prefer taking a left onto Beaver Meadow, and then taking a right to get back onto Turnpike Rd. Again, I find this way more pleasant). The road climbs very gently, alongside a nice creek, and past a pretty sweet dairy.
• The road eventually turns to dirt—at this point, there are many possibilities:

1) the shortest option, and the one that avoids dirt roads: just turn around

2) Take a right, follow the main road to the Upper Turnpike Loop

3) Go straight. This road will eventually take you to the Gile Mountain Parking Lot.

4) Go straight, take a right onto Upper Turnpike Rd, you are doing the Upper Turnpike Loop in the opposite direction.

• Another possibility involves heading up the dead end road off of upper turnpike loop rd (well, it's not really a dead end, it turns into a trail).

• For a longer recovery ride, I recommend exploring the many roads in the norwich area, (such as Hopson Road on the west side of main street, or the whole Flanders Hill area on the east side of main street)

Riding the Turnpike in the winter...