The Ashford Adventure Ride
Welcome to our 3rd annual Ashford Adventure Ride, a mixed terrain ride traversing northeastern CT
Saturday, September 7th, 2019
Cost: $30
66 mile route, elevation gain of 5700 ft
42 mile route, elevation gain of 3500 ft
Registration time:
7:15-8:00am all riders should be on the course by 8:00am
There will be multiple rest stops stocked with water, Gatorade, and snacks for refueling.
Day of event registration: Day of event registration is available however we encourage all riders to pre-register so they will recieve the informational email that will be sent to all registered riders when pre-reg closes at 2pm on Friday, 9/6. This email will include the links to the .gpx files, details about the rest stops, and any last minute information about the route. If you do plan on registering the day of the event bring the data cord to your bike computer so we can help you load the ride, tech support will be available.
Storrs Center Cycle will again be providing mechanical support at the start, thank you SCC! Check out their shop in Storrs, CT: http://www.storrscentercycle.com/
Details on the gravel routes: We have a brand new route for 2019! The route will include dirt roads, carriage paths, pavement, a bit less gnar than last year (and hopefully less mud!), and some stunning quiet country scenery.
This is a self-navigated ride!
A .gpx file will be provided after pre-reg closes so riders can upload the route to their Garmin, other gps device, or smartphone. We encourage everyone to upload the .gpx file to your device to follow the route as this course will be a true adventure ride with self-navigation. If you don’t have a gps device you can sign up for one of the guided rides when you pre-register, follow a route sheet (not recommended!) ride with a bike computer or a friend with a computer, or make a new friend with a computer the morning of the ride.
The best bike for the gravel/mixed terrain ride will be a gravel or cross bike with a minimum of 32mm tires with some decent traction or any type of mountain bike. Terrain will include gravel/dirt roads, pavement, and a bit of off road trail that most riders should be able to easily navigate. Check back for more info on the route, as we pre-ride and tweak the course we will provide updates here and on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AshfordMetricCentury/
*Update: All riders will receive a very cool Ashford Adventure Ride sticker! Pics of the sticker have been posted on our Facebook page. First sticker is free! If you would like additional stickers we will have a donation jar and 100% of sticker donations will go directly to Our Companions Animal Sanctuary in Ashford, CT.
*Road and comfort bikes not recommended
Participants should ride with a cell phone, extra tube, tire levers, pump, and patch kit. CPSC or US DOT approved helmets are required.
This will be a rain or shine event.
Contact email for questions: neracearth@gmail.com
Like and follow us on instagram and facebook to get updates and pics as we pre-ride and prep the route!
Facebook: @AshfordAdventureRide
Instagram: @ashfordadventureride
2019 Ride Pictures Slideshow
Visit us on Facebook.
Donations:
50% of the proceeds of the Ashford Adventure Ride will be donated to Our Companions Animal Sanctuary in Ashford, CT. Our Companions also generously provide volunteers at one of the rest stops on the ride, please thank them for the incredible work they do!
100% of any additional donations on event day will be donated to Our Companions.
Our Companions Animal Sanctuary in Ashford, CT provides care, rehabilitation, training, and a safe haven for animals while they are awaiting permanent homes. This is an incredible organization that has saved many animals and connected them with their forever homes.
Check out their website: http://www.ourcompanions.org/pages/sanctuary_info.htm
Directions to Ashford Memorial Park on 80 Pompey Rd in Ashford, CT:
The turn for Pompey Rd is near the intersection of routes 74 and 44 in Ashford, CT.
If you are driving West on route 44 take a left on Pompey Rd, if you go past route 74, the Wooden Spoon restaurant, or the Mobil/Dunkin Donuts you have gone too far.
If you are driving East on route 44 take a right onto Pompey Rd just after passing the Wooden Spoon restaurant on the right, or the Mobil/Dunkin Donuts on your left.
If you took exit 69 off of route 84 and are driving on route 74 at the very end of 74 take a left then a quick right onto Pompey Rd.
For all directions, once you turn onto Pompey Rd take your first left. At the stop sign go straight. Ashford Memorial Park will be on your right. Drive down the gravel road to the parking area.
Ashford Adventure Ride 
Is there a downloadable map?
Hi Allan, The 2018 files and links can be found on the right hand side of the website.
Going to have to look into this one for this year! good way to finish the season with the Metric!
Is the 2012 62 mi route the same as last years? What is the total elevation and how difficult is it? Thx!
Right now the 62 mile route is the same as last year. The route has about 4,000 ft of climbing, but nicely dispersed throughout the ride. Typical moderate difficulty for the this area of Connecticut depending on your pace. Hope to see you at the ride.
A big thank you to all the cyclists that took part in the 2010 edition of the Ashford Metric Century+
I started posting the pictures from the event today… It will be a few days before I get all the pictures posted from the event, so keep checking back for more photos.
At first we didn’t realize there was actually a 100 mile ride as the “Metric Century” title confused me. I really wanted to try my first century ride and was going to do a different one until my friend told me there was a 100 mile option. This was my first century ride and it was awesome! I couldn’t have picked a better one to do! We accidentally got a late start (chit chatting with each other in the parking lot too long) but we had a blast! The ride was very well supported, the crew was very kind and helpful and the scenery was awesome! It was a bit chilly but that just added to the adventure! It was wonderful to be fed loaded baked potatoes and applecrisp at the end! We will be back next year! You guys worked very hard and all of your hard work was very appreciated! 🙂
We are happy to hear that you had a great time … and congrats on completing your first century. We also appreciate the feedback and we will try to do even better next year on October 2, 2011! Hope to see you then.
Tried to register at Bike Reg today, but it is closed out. Wanted the discount and avoid waiting in line…
Hi Ken,
I close registration on Friday at 3pm every year so I have enough time to prepare all the pre-reg paperwork. See me at registration, I’ll be sure to get you through the line as quick as I can!
Jill
Looking forward to the event – did it last year and was fun! Nice route and the support was excellent.
Thank you for the feedback and it is great to know that you are riding it again this year…
See you Sunday.
Is this a random start or group start? There are 3 of us planning on riding. Please reply.
The ride does not have a “mass” start, the start times posted here are suggested start times that the event riders should aim for.
100 mile 7:30am
63 mile 9:00am
26 mile 9:30 am
10 mile 9:30 am
Next year’s 3rd annual Ashford Metric Century+ will be held on October 3rd, 2010
And we have ice cream for the apple cobbler this year….Come on out and ride!
The forecast looks like it’s trying to clear up for Sunday and we’re hoping for clear skies. The foliage is perfect right now in eastern Connecticut, come on out and enjoy the ride and the beautiful fall landscape!
weather from nbc 30:
Sun October 4
High: 72 Low: 51
AM Clouds / PM Sun
My husband and I are interested in the 100 mile route, but haven’t signed up yet. Do you have a map for that one?
Here is a link to the 100 mile route.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ct/ashford/753124043461151461
Hope to see you there.
John
In 2008 we had about 80 riders, most doing the 64 mile course. For 2009 I would expect more.. of course it’s just a guess, but I would not be surprised to see 150. We are working on a 100 mile route plus something under 15 miles to accommodate riders of all levels.
How many bikers were in this last year? How many expected for this year?
Here is the link to the 25 mile route on mapmyride.com.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ct/ashford/814524301263
I enjoy that route, quiet roads and enough hills to make me know I’m alive. My wife and I ride this occasionally.
Garth
I will post the route today on the website.
Could you post or email me a map of the 25-mile route?
I’m glad you enjoyed it… We can’t wait to do it again!
Thank you for the great course. I took a leisurely 25-mile ride in the cool rain today with a friend who was doing her first organized ride ever. It was a beautiful fall day, perfect for a ride. I am already looking forward to cycling next year.
I’m sorry but this is a cycling event and we will be on roads that are not conducive to inline skates.
Hi,
can I use inline skates instead of a bike? is the trail surface very rough?
thanks, apoogiza for the delay
Davide
Map of the Ashford Metric Century
do you have a map for the 62 mile route? I am not from the area . thanks
Yes you can ride a TT/Tri Bike… Hope to see you there Aaron….
Can we ride a TT/Tri bike or are they off limits?
http://www.aarondavidson.com
I agree Michael, this is a great area for cycling. I sent emails to about 7 different cycling clubs and am posting some signs this week. Hope you can make it.
Just found out about your ride while surfing the Pequot cyclists website. Will try to make you ride as I only live 6 miles from the start. Would highly suggest that you post this ride on the other Ct & RI bike club web-sites. This is a beautiful area to ride in.