Shelter Island Shuttle

The Shelter Island Shuttle has become a staple over many years. For new members it's become a rite of passage and delivers on unforgettable memories. The ride/event has evolved over time with updated parking arrangements in New London, bike route adjustments and various rest stop changes making it even better and more organized since its inaugural run back in 1998.

But even as a single-paced C ride, D and E riders started coming along to share in the social aspect of the ride by riding at their own pace and cutting off pieces of the route in order to meet up with the main group at key stops. In later years it was felt the time had come to officially open up the ride to these slower paces so everyone had a coordinated opportunity to enjoy this day of riding and socializing.

Two alternate versions of the route were developed for the D and E groups, which can be used by any ride leader to lead and they were timed out for meeting up with the main group at critical event locations. Faster riders who show up were resigned to the fact that this ride was going to be a laid-back pace for them and a day of enjoyment without the rigors of breakneck pacelining and often bring along a slower-riding friend or significant other.

Each version of the ride will be formally listed in the SCBC Ride Schedule. The purpose of this web page is to provide you with very detailed information so you can feel comfortable with the knowledge that you will know every aspect of this event before you arrive. So let's get started.

1.) In years past there was never any reservations required. You just showed up in New London like any other SCBC ride. Since the club has mandated Pre-Registration you really need to sign up in advance on the SCBC system. If you are a non-member visiting guest (we've had plenty of them before), E-mail your ride leader in advance and/or just find your ride leader at the dock and we'll get your contact information. This actually helps in the planning for such an event like this.

2.) The main ferry crossing from New London is the Cross Sound Ferry and offers reservations in advance if you like. That information is below. The following are things you need to know about their policies:

– If you booked in advance and need to cancel your reservation for the ferry, YOU MUST do so before the 9:00 am ferry leaves on that day. If you do not call and cancel, you will forfeit the fare. When you do cancel successfully you will get a full refund.

– You can book a reservation a couple hours before sail time but it's not recommended. Booking a day or the night before is more ideal.

3.) We will be foregoing the traditional dinner stop this year and returning on the 6:00p ferry from Orient Point. However, food might be available at the Orient Point Ferry Dock but surely will be available on board the returning ferry. Should the Cross Sound Deli at the dock in Orient Point be reopened, we can get food there. They have outdoor seating and it could be a possible alternative.

This is phone number for making an advanced reservations: 860-443-5281. Bookings for passengers with a bike must be done by calling. DO NOT use their online system since there are no provisions for booking bikes there. When you make your purchase, you are going to ask for a Same-Day Round Trip with a Bike. FYI: The cost breakdown is: $20.52 + $10.26/passenger & bike for the outgoing trip and $13.34 + $10.26/passenger & bike for the return trip. The total round trip should be $54.38. You'll want to purchase the ticket for the outgoing 9:00 am ferry from New London and the 6:00 pm ferry for the return from Orient Point.

Once you complete that process you will receive an E-mail with your confirmation. Print that out and also save it on your phone. When you arrive in New London they will scan the boarding number and give you your boarding pass.

As mentioned before, you can still purchase your Same-Day Round Trip Ticket with a Bike in the ticket house that morning but I strongly suggest you get there early if that's the case. I've been told there is always room on the ferry for walk-on passengers and bikes.

It is strongly suggested that you arrive in New London well before the ferry's departure time of 9:00 am. Arriving anywhere between 8:00-8:15 am at the dock is strongly recommended. Unlike regular club rides, where the ride leader uses a bit of discretion on the start time when a rider shows up a bit late, that will not be the case here because the ferry departs promptly at 9:00 am!

This ride has a rich history of drawing riders from all over. There are alternative meeting places for riders who would not find it practical to travel up to New London if they are coming from the New York City, Long Island or New Jersey areas. Cyclists have met up with the group right at the Orient Point ferry dock. For those planning on doing that, you should arrive at the Cross Sound Ferry dock in Orient Point at 10:15 am and be prepared to join the group when we disembark. Other riders have taken the LIRR to Greenport or driven there. The railroad station terminates right at the North Ferry terminal, where we arrive as a group on bikes. Anyone taking the train or driving to Greenport should arrive and be ready to join the group at that ferry terminal around 11:15-11:30 am and wait for the group of riders to arrive. Anyone waiting on Shelter Island by the ferry terminal should expect our arrival around 11:45 am.

The main ride pace is listed as a C (13.5 av. mph.) and the terrain is about 85% flat with a few rolling sections and a few short hills scattered on the island. While the total distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers), the actual riding is done in segments – interrupted by ferry crossings, lunch and beach stops.

The alternate ride paces will be D & E and the terrain is mostly flat with perhaps a few rollers. These routes were created for those wishing to do a slower, shorter ride. There is a 36-mile route (57 kilometers) and a 29-mile route (47 kilometers) with crossroads connecting sections of the main route so slower riders can meet up with the main group at major stops. Again, the actual riding for all groups is done in segments.

The Cross Sound Ferry departs New London with our group and our bikes at 9:00a. For those who booked in advance, you should have receive a confirmation E-mail with your reservation, which will contain a bar code/booking number. Have that ready at the dock. It will be scanned and you will receive a boarding pass. The crossing takes about an hour and twenty minutes from New London to Orient Point (the tip of the north fork of Long Island, NY). During that time on board lunch orders will be taken from riders who would like to order deli selections from our lunch stop on Shelter Island. By ordering items from the deli counter in advance, it speeds up the process for people getting their food and eating together. These orders will be sent electronically to the IGA Market on Shelter Island right from the ferry and will be waiting for us on our arrival. Alternately, cyclists may wander around the market for other food and drink selections.

When we disembark from the ferry on Long Island, we will be regrouping over to the side of the terminal area for what I hope will be an entertaining list of introductions and instructions. We might be picking up a few more riders meeting us in Orient Point. We start riding around 10:30 am from Orient Point to Greenport to catch the North Ferry to Shelter Island. Here we may be meeting up with other riders. When we arrive on Shelter Island, we will first cycle a short distance to our lunch stop and eat before continuing on our way. Those who ordered in advance, your lunch will be waiting at the front of the store. Names will be written on each sandwich. As your name is called, you grab your order and pay at the register. There is a spot outside where we all eat together.

Just before 1:00 pm, we mount our bikes and we're on our way again, cycling first across the island to the east and onto Ram Island before looping around to the north to the community of Dering Harbor. We'll crisscross our route through Shelter Island Heights and then head to the southwest tip of the island, turn and head due west and then north, along beautiful Crescent Beach to our traditional beach stop at Sunset Beach arriving around 3:00 pm. Other groups will take shorter, slightly different routes but the timing should coincide with the beach stop. You can bring swimwear and a towel if you like. Showers are available. There is a bar, as well as food and plenty of interesting people watching. A little after 4:00 pm, we cycle back to the North Ferry and cruise back over to Greenport. From there, it's on to Orient point. We should arrive around 5:15-5:30 pm. Since we are not doing dinner in Orient Point as we have done in the past, we will be returning on the 6:00 pm ferry for our cruise back to New London.

To avoid parking fees, arrive early and park on side streets away from the ferry area (see Special Hints below). Otherwise, parking in New London can be found in the area around the ferry terminal in New London. DO NOT drive into the ferry terminal. There is no parking there. A New London ferry same day round trip ticket with your bike is $54.38; a North Ferry same day round trip ticket with your bike is $6.00. Bring small bills so we can pay for the North Ferry crossing with exact change. Collecting money from a large group of cyclists during the short ferry crossing can become a problem. Allow for money to buy lunch and drinks.

Take I-95 North to Exit 83. You will see signs before getting off the exit for Transportation Center and State Pier. Counting the traffic light at the top of the exit, go straight and then follow the road around to the right to the third traffic light. At the third light, turn left onto Governor Winthrop Blvd. only if you plan on parking in a garage (not recommended) or turn right onto Broad Street and look for side street parking off of Broad Street. To get to the ferry terminal, cycle down Governor Winthrop Blvd. to the end. There will be railroad tracks to cross at the bottom of the hill at the traffic light. Turn right at the entrance to the ferry terminal.

You can try to arrange to car pool for the ride to New London by using the club's Facebook page. If the weather is questionable, keep an eye out for Ride News messages and Facebook postings. Rain cancels, clouds do not. Remember, we don't make landfall until late morning, so if the forecast that day happens to call for only early morning showers, chances are the ride will go on.

There are always questions needing answers so feel free to contact me at 203-261-5545 (home), 203-362-9927 (mobile) or at jeff@jeffmunk.com for any additional questions. The only request is that on the morning of the ride, please use my mobile number. This ride is intended to keep cyclists together at its social pace and we regroup often, all while keeping to the schedule. Every aspect of the ride has been timed out. Approximate arrival and departure times for each segment appear throughout the cue sheet which you can download. The ride is also available on RWGPS. For pre-planners or for those who need a bit more motivation in getting organized for this ride, I have provide the following hint. I encourage you to read these Special Hints:

Set your alarm clock earlier than you think you need to.

Jump out of bed with excitement and enthusiasm!

Call any of your friends that may be going with you that morning and wake them up (with excitement and enthusiasm, of course).

Give yourself plenty of time to get to New London. You'll see when driving on I-95 at Exit 54, Branford becomes only 2 lanes. On Saturday morning it's not usually busy, but you never know. New London is just under an hour's drive from Bridgeport. Fill your gas tank the day or night before. You'll need time to park, collect your bike and stuff and then double check again that you have everything before getting down to the dock.

If there should be an accident on I-95 slowing your progress up to New London, US Route 1 is always a good bail-out route. It pretty much parallels I-95 and makes a good go-around to circumvent any problems.

Check over your bike a few days before the ride. Your tires aren't going to lose air overnight so pump 'em the night before. Got a spare tube and a patch kit? Good!  If not, go get them!

Don't let clouds scare you away from the ride. I love beautiful blue-sky ride days just like the next person, but clouds help break up the beating sun when we are in open areas. Bring sunscreen, which most people wait to apply after boarding the ferry.

Make sure you bring your water bottles. Here's a great tip. Fill your bottles with what you drink to about 3/4 - 7/8 of the way to the top and put them in your freezer. Don't put the tops on because the liquid will expand a bit. Make a note that the bottles are in the freezer. The following morning, fill the bottle the rest of the way and wrap the bottles in tin foil. If you plan to carry a backpack or have a bag on your bike, put them in there and keep them covered, especially during the ferry trip over to Orient Point. You won't be drinking for a while and this will keep the liquid cold for a long time. There will be places to refill.

Don't forget your helmet and mask. In fact, you should take all the things you're bringing and put them in your car the night before - if you're driving. If you're going with a friend, put your stuff by the door where you will be leaving. Make yourself a note about the water bottles in the freezer. Bring spare tubes that fit your bike, along with a mini pump or CO² cartridges and inflator. A patch kit can come in handy as well.

If you have one, you might want to bring a camera. This may be something you'll want to capture. Shelter Island is very scenic and you'll want to snap pictures of it, as well as grabbing some shots of old and new friends. Since the club has created a Facebook page, there'll be places to post your shots.

If you purchase a ticket that morning, make sure you purchased a same day round trip ticket with a bike - 9:00 am New London ferry/6:00 pm return ferry from Orient Point. GET TO NEW LONDON EARLY for same day purchase. Then wait with the others just outside the main building until boarding time. Once boarded, go to the upper-most deck where everyone will gather so you can write down your lunch order. After that you may stroll around the decks. Food will be available on board.

Take I-95 North to Exit 83. You will see signs before getting off the exit for Transportation Center and State Pier. Counting the traffic light at the top of the exit, go straight and then follow the road around to the right to the third traffic light. At this point you are now going to be given two separate directions, one is for on-street parking and the other is for the direction you need go to get down to the ferry with your bike.

At the 3rd traffic light mentioned above, with Governor Winthrop Blvd. on your left, turn right onto Broad Street and then start looking for on-street parking on one of the side streets off of Broad Street. We typically choose Cottage St., which is the first street on the left off of Broad St.

To get down to the ferry terminal and using the 3rd traffic light mentioned above as your reference point, continue all the way down Governor Winthrop Blvd. toward the entrance to the ferry terminal. Be careful crossing the railroad tracks. Head for the large building where tickets are sold.

There are parking lots and garages all around the area. If you decide you would rather park in a garage, drive down Governor Winthrop Blvd. and you will see the garages toward the bottom of the hill. However, to save yourselves parking fees, my suggestion is to follow directions above to Broad Street and use on-street parking like Cottage Street. Leaving earlier gives you plenty of time to find parking on the streets away from the ferry, getting your stuff together and then riding your bike down to the ferry.