Highway 7 - Worth the Ride?

[davidc]

Hello New England Brethren,

My original plan to get to the Bash was to putt north on Rte. 7 from Danbury to Bennington. It would add miles to the trip, but more importantly, a little over two hours. Using 87 to Albany, then to Bennington is about four hours according to MapQuest. The Rte. 7 route shows about six.

I do not know the western areas of Conn. and Mass. Is Rte. 7, which is rated scenic in my road atlas, worth the extra time? Will I see pastures, cows, old gents in overalls and straw hats waving to me as I pass by? Will the aroma of a fresh-baked apple pie cooling on a window sill waft my way? Or should I choke on the diesel exhaust on the interstate?

I am not against a long ride, but the whole weekend will rack up milage regardless, and the Bonneville, as you know, is not exactly a tourer. Any input about 7 will be appreciated.

David

[bonniegirl]

87 is a nasty road, no fun at all. if you want to be speedy up the fast roads, take the taconic in ny, to hillsdale then 20 to 22 north to ny7 to vt9 instead of 87. that said, rt 8 out of connecticut up thru ma is nice take that right up thru stamford vt to vt 9. 7 is ok, not great, but better than 87 or the taconic.

[davidc]

Thank you, Miss Bonnie. Back to my atlas.

[bonniegirl]

the 60 or so miles after the taconic are nice, small towns & apple pies...that may be a good compromise. when ii come up from ny nj area, that's the route i take. there is almost no truck traffic on the taconic. not really any rest areas or real exit areas...just roads to little towns. adjust petrol stops to accomodate.

[bennybmn]

When I "drive around" as opposed to taking the ferry, I take the Hutch to 684 to Brewster NY where it ends at 84. It basically turns into 22. Once you get thru Brewster, 22 opens up and is fairly scenic, but also not TOOO windy that it takes forever. I prefer that over the thruway. Besides, you to alllll the way north just to go directly east to Bennington, legs of a triangle, ya know? 7 is nice thru MA, but definitely slow. 22 is a nice compromise, and it's basically paralell to the Taconic.

[Bucky]

Another vote for route 8

[matts1050]

I'm thinking on trying Rt 22 myself. Been up 7 many times already.

[bennybmn]

22 isn't nearly as scenic or twisty as 7 or 8, BUT it's a nice compromise to the slab if you want to get where you're going on a nice road with places to stop for gas etc, but also make time. Also, if you're coming from NY or NJ, it's in the right direction, like you don't have to go all the way east to 8.

[Hedge]

Dude - just join up with me, UncleCharlie, Jimmy, MattRat and a few others in Norwalk, CT on Friday morning and we will lead you through some amazing, slow, lazy, classic New England back roads on our way up to Bennington! If you want to meet further up we can make a spot as well. We all plan on having lunch at the Toymakers Cafe in Falls River CT, where Bucky and a few others will join our Triumph Road Gang.
The more the merrier!
John
PS - anyone else reading this thread is welcome to join us either at the Norwalk CT start site or anywhere along our RT which will be mapped and posted real soon.

[bennybmn]

Not everyone wants to go slow
22 is a nice compromise if you want to make some time. 7 is a REAL nice ride thru northern CT and most of MA too, but it's definitely slow with Pittsfield in the way there...

[Hedge]

Not everyone wants to go slow

Ya had to go ahead and insult Good Ole UncleCharlie and his pace!

Seriously, I am really looking forward to a real slow ultra back country ride up to Bennington. We will probably pick up the pace on the way back on Sunday.

[davidc]

Thanks for the invite, Hedge, to ride up with you guys. However, Norwalk is pretty far from where I am coming, and I don't do high bridges. Looks as though I'd have to cross the Tappan Zee [shudder]. The Bear Mountain Bridge is about all I can handle, and that I must ride with my eyes closed.

David

[Hedge]

Walk it across the Tappen Zee on the sidewalk and then hop back on and join up with us my friend! Don't feel bad - my wife has panic attacks on bridges for some unknown reason that I still cannot figure out!

[bennybmn]

Thanks for the invite, Hedge, to ride up with you guys. However, Norwalk is pretty far from where I am coming, and I don't do high bridges. Looks as though I'd have to cross the Tappan Zee [shudder]. The Bear Mountain Bridge is about all I can handle, and that I must ride with my eyes closed.

David

Some nice roads around bear mountain! I have no problem with bridges in principal, but the cross winds can be interesting for sure. You could always take the GWB over

[Hedge]

Take the tunnel into NYC and then just shoot up the West Side Drive to the Henry Hudson to the Cross County Parkway to the Merritt Parkway and meet us in Norwalk!