About the Bicycle Leg

DESK is excited to announce the first annual bicycles-only leg of the Ride to Hunger, a part of our “green” campaign toward environmental sustainability. With the help of Elm City Cycling and other partners in the community, Michelle Reynard has planned a leisurely—and mostly flat!—approximately 10-mile ride for all ages and abilities, featuring some of New Haven’s finest green spaces along city-endorsed cycling routes. We’ll have experienced ride guides from ECC leading the way, and a police escort to cork our intersections and keep us safe, so it will be smooth riding through the city. Bicycles can be locked to the fence inside the AT&T parking lot at the end of the ride during the barbecue lunch (participants will have to bring their own locking hardware).

Download registration information and pledge form

Download waiver

If you’re on Facebook, join DESK’s group there and RSVP informally via our Facebook event. On Facebook, you’ll be able to see who will attend and to invite your friends!

Arrival and Parking

Cyclists who arrive by car will have the option of parking either at the route start (Sports Haven, 600 Long Wharf Dr) or just yards away from our finish point at the AT&T parking lot (State St and Grove St). Cyclists who park at AT&T can guide themselves down the Vision Trail cycling route to Sports Haven in time for registration or arrive at AT&T by 10:00 a.m. to cycle to the registration site with a group.

Download Map

Route

We’ll cruise alongside the Quinnipiac River all the way to Dover Beach, wind our way past trail heads through the shady base of East Rock Park, take a left at the canoe launch down the bicycle lane on Orange St, take a short, gentle climb through the Saint Ronan Street/Yale Divinity School neighborhood (and the dog park there), and then continue on to a large patch of community gardens and the entrance of New Haven’s stretch of the Farmington Canal Trail. After completing the Farmington Canal Trail, we’ll head on back to the Elks Lodge (522 State St) and join the entire group—motorcyclists, cyclists, and supporters—for the well-earned BBQ lunch. The entire ride including a brief rest stop should take about 70-90 minutes—just long enough to work up an appetite, but still accessible for novice riders. If you’ve never explored New Haven by bicycle before, this will be a great introduction to urban cycling via the safety and fun of a group ride.

View the route map