Short Bike Rides in Connecticut: Rides for the Casual Cyclist
by Edwin Mullen and Jane Griffith

Publisher:  The Globe Pequot Press
ISBN:  0762702052

For those whose passion is sightseeing on two wheels, Edwin Mullen and Jane Griffith's Short Bike Rides in Connecticut: Rides for the Casual Cyclist is a comprehensive guide to 36 of the state's most scenic bicycle routes, including four right in the Hartford vicinity. Many of the recommended tours, each of which contains complete written directions and a map, take the cyclist past some of Connecticut's most historic attractions, including the country's oldest stone house and Mystic Seaport.

The book leads off with important information to ensure an injury-free outing, including a safety checklist. A directory of Connecticut bicycle shops is also included for handy reference.

The rides described by the authors range from 4 to 47 miles -- everything from a quick, breezy, one-hour jaunt to a solid half-day's excursion. You'll find a description of the terrain and the surface conditions for each ride, plus a quick snapshot of sights to see, either as you pedal along or as you hop on and off along the route. Vivid descriptions help to create a visual preview, as do plentiful black and white photographs.

It is obvious throughout this biking guidebook, which is small, lightweight and very portable, that the authors provide details that come from intimate, first-hand knowledge of the bike routes described. They'll even tell you where to leave your car and provide information about the hours of operation and admission fees for roadside attractions.

Serious and casual Connecticut cyclists alike will discover new places to explore and inspiration to head out on the highway for a summer evening ride, a day trip, or even an extended cycling vacation.

Kimberly Knox, your Guide for Hartford, CT