I thought I was hallucinating the first time that I saw someone whipping along at 20 mph uphill on an electric bicycle. I though "My God, they have strong legs!" My next thought was, wow, I'd love to see what it feels like to ride one of those things.
Get our free mobile app
I may find out soon, if I can convince myself that I'm still capable of riding a bike at 52 years old. But if you're in shape, and adventurous, unlike me, boy do I have a very cool business in one of the most gorgeous areas of Connecticut to tell you about.
The Most Gorgeous Place To Rent An Electric Bike in Connecticut
Wide-open space, thick forest, an abundance of trails, mountain and water views, and a covered bridge? West Cornwall has it all.
The Covered Bridge
My wife is one of the lucky ones that uses the West Cornwall Covered Bridge as part of her daily commute to get to and from her new job. It's an iconic Connecticut landmark, and the area it's located in - along the Housatonic River is breathtakingly gorgeous.
Beautiful View Of The Housatonic River
Located right across from street the West Cornwall Covered Bridge is Covered Bridge Electric Bike at 421 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike. The adjacent Little River Road seems to be a picture perfect path to take a motorized bicycle out for a spin.
Covered Bridge Electric Bike
The best part? Covered Bridge Electric Bike not only sells and services electric bikes, they rent them out by by two hour, half-day, and full day increments, at reasonable rates. They also offer guided Ebike tours, but if you choose to just ride, they'll provide training, and specific routes and maps.
Photos by Lydia "My Photo Go-To" Szarlan-Baltrush
Sharon-Goshen Turnpike (128)
It's so nice in this area of Connecticut, yeah, there are speeders just like anywhere, but there's so much less traffic in the Northeast corner than any of the lower counties, Fairfield County especially.
Photos by Lydia "Vance" Szarlan-Baltrush
Covered Bridge Electric Bike
Something important to think about if you were considering renting an electric bike in Norwalk, or Mystic.
You must be 16 or older to rent an electric bike from Covered Bridge Electric Bike, per Connecticut law. Sounds like fun, right? Do it.
Did You Know That These Celebrities Are Kent School Alumni?
Getty Images
Lana Del Ray - Class of 2003
Lana Del Ray was known as Elizabeth Grant when she graduated from Kent School in 2003. Lana enrolled at Fordham in 2004, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in philosophy. Then went on to become one of America's most celebrated singer/songwriters. Ray's latest album, Blue Banisters, was released in October 2021, at peaked at #8 on the US charts.
Getty Images
Ted Danson - Class of 1966
Edward Bridge Danson III was born in San Diego, raised in Flagstaff, Arizona, was a standout basketball player for Kent, graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 1972, and went on to become one of the most recognizable American actors of our generation. Presently, Danson stars as Mayor Neil Bremer on NBC's Mr. Mayor.
Getty Images
KT Tunstall - Class of 1993
Kate Victoria Tunstall was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and only attended Kent School for her Senior year. graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London in 1996 with a Bachelor's of Arts in Drama and Music. I wonder if the Black Horse and the Cherry Tree are near Kent Falls?
Getty Images
Emme - Class of 1981
Melissa Miller was born in NYC, raised in Saudi Arabia, returned to the US to attend the Kent School, where Emme joined the rowing team, which won her a full athletic scholarship to Syracuse University. After graduation, Emme became the first plus-size model for Revlon, and was the first plus-size model to be named to People's '50 Most Beautiful People" list in 1994.
Getty Images
Treat Williams - Class of 1969
Richard Treat Williams was born in Rowayton, CT, graduated from Kent School in 1969, and Franklin and Marshall College, and went on to log over 120 credits on film, stage, and tv screens. Williams latest role is as Brian Grabler on the new HBO series 'We Own This City'.
Getty Images
Seth MacFarlane - Class of 1991
Seth Woodbury MacFarlane was born and raised in Kent, where both of his parents worked at Kent School. Do you remember his cartoons in The Kent Good Times Dispatch? MacFarlane graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Oh, you know what he's done since then. MacFarlane was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2020.
Culinary Diversity Abounds Along Connecticut's Rt. 202
Tacos? Seafood? Pizza? Ice Cream? Donuts? Want a little something of everything? Take a foodie day trip along the 75 miles of Rt. 202 through Connecticut
Google
Grounds Donut House - 35 Lake Ave Ext - Danbury
Start your trip with a Maple Bacon donut at Grounds Donut House in Danbury. Grounds oversized gourmet donuts are huge, unique, and heavy. I'll bet you that you'll be tapping out after two of them. Get a coffee for the road, you're going to need it.
Google
Taco Bachi - 849 Federal Road - Brookfield
It's Taco Tuesday every day at Taco Bachi. Well, not really, but you know what I'm saying. Tacos, burritos, bowls, torta, your choice of fillings and toppings, authentic Carne Asada, al Pastor, Carnitas. The Adame family and their restaurant are wonderful, and the food they serve is authentic and extremely satisfying.
Google
The 202 Tavern - 295 New Milford Turnpike - New Preston
If you're craving traditional American cuisine, the 202 Tavern in New Preston is a great place to stop and fill up on pub favorites like wings, onion rings, burgers, soups and salads, pasta, steaks, and seafood. I love French Dip sandwiches, and the 202 Tavern Prime Rib Steak Melt is superior.
Google
Arethusa Al Tavolo & Arethusa Farm Dairy - Bantam Road - Bantam
What can I say that already hasn't been said about Arethusa and their world-class restaurants and Dairy products? Read the online reviews. Here's a couple of menu items that will get your attention: Smoked Pork Belly Dumplings, Grilled Prime Striploin with Foie Gras Crust, or Seared Mediterranean Sea Bass. And the Ice Cream? I have dreams about Arethusa's Sweet Cream Chocolate Chip in their fresh waffle cones. Everything is amazing.
Google
Bohemian Pizza and Tacos - 342 Bantam Road - Litchfield
What a fun place to stop and fill up, you can tell by the exterior, but it's even cooler on the inside. Bohemian Pizza is filled with excellent backgrounds for your IG profile pic, and the food is really good too. I'd suggest The White's Woods Pizza, with it's pesto base and mushrooms and bacon? It's so good. I have yet to try the tacos, I can't pass on their pizza, but someday....
Google
Yiayia's Greek Kitchen - 1057 E. Main St. - Torrington
If you're in the mood for authentic Greek cuisine, and, who isn't?, Yiayia's keeps it real from the floor to the ceiling, and everything in between. Gorgeous interior, aged feta to die for, and the gyros? Oh man.
Google
Saybrook Fish House - 460 Albany Tpke - Canton
I've eaten whole belly clams across the Northeast US - Kittery, Provincetown, Newport, Noank, even Waterbury. Saybrook Fish House makes my favorite whole belly clams in the world. Those alone are worth the trip, but I also crave the Garlic House salad dressing.
Google
Tiger Belly Noodle Bar - 9 Mill Pond Dr. - Granby
Oh Ramen, I'm so in love with you lately. Mrs. Large and I stopped in to Tiger Belly Noodle Bar on our way to see her family in Massachusetts. You don't see a noodle bar too often along 202 in CT, especially in Granby. Very nice place.