Training Tour Length: 2 days
Begins: Danbury, CT (Exit 8 off I-84)
Ends: Freedom Plains, NY (Junction of Route 55 with Taconic State Parkway)
Where we stay: Best Western Berkshire Inn, Danbury, CT http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=07011
Price: $975, incl. 1 night (usually single occupancy), 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
Session Dates: May 15-16; June 19-20; July 24-25; Sept 11-12; Oct 2-3
In response to consistent requests, Stayin’ Safe is pleased to be able to offer a new program based in New England. The course program is designed around our highly popular “neo-Alpine” training tours, but now available to our friends in the Northeast! After the Saturday morning breakfast meeting in Danbury we do about an hour of closed course drills, then ride for the rest of the day. We take in some of the technical back roads winding their way north into the Berkshire Hills through Litchfield County and into Massachusetts and along the way enjoy spectacular rolling, forested hills and river and lakeside scenery before returning south to our starting point. This training route allows students to leave their luggage at the hotel on the Friday night (if you choose to arrive the night before) or early Saturday morning. The great variety of roads, with a full mixture of riding hazards, traffic and small towns provides plenty of real world learning situations to help build your riding skills. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss these situations at the frequent break sessions along the route. After a loop of 180 to 200 miles we arrive back at the hotel and relax before dinner at a local Italian restaurant across the road from the hotel.
Sunday sees us starting, after a light breakfast, with some road hazard analysis and video presentations and discussing riding strategies before checking out and heading north east into Duchess County, NY. The format is similar to Saturday with instructors giving a ‘running commentary’ ride over certain sections before the students take turns leading and following and receiving guidance and encouragement as they progress. Given the traffic density in New England, managing other vehicles on the road is something we have to deal with. The approach to, planning for and execution of safe overtakes wil
l be a particular aspect of this course. However, rest assured, you will not be expected to do anything you are uncomfortable with, infringe any traffic laws or ride at an excessive speed. After about 140 miles of riding we will finish at about 4pm at the Daily Planet diner near the junction of Route 55 with the Taconic State Parkway. This gives easy access south to I-84 and north to I-90.
If you live within commuting distance of the Best Western Hotel in Danbury and want to sleep at home, this is OK and the course fee will be reduced by $75. However, before you choose this option please note that we start early in the mornings (7 to 7:30 am) and the Saturday evening dinner/discussion is considered part of the training course.
