Burma Road Bike Route
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Length: About 5 miles of on-road route.
Grade: Rolling - lots of ups and downs.
Trail condition: Fair to good: Shoulder not wide enough in areas.
Special characteristics: This route shares a former military road providing a link from Coddington Cove in Middletown to the large Melville marina in Portsmouth. An old rail line runs the rest of the way up the island to the Mt. Hope Bridge, but is not developed for biking yet. Except for people living in the immediate area, the bikeway doesn't really go anywhere. It's a beautiful ride though, with constant views of Narragansett Bay. It provides a taste of what could be a fabulous path that easily could link Newport to Providence.
Natural attractions nearby: Waterfront observation, great sunsets, fishing access.
Historical attractions nearby: Newport Dinner Train, mothballed war ships including aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga, which is supposed to be a museum someday at Quonset Point.
Services nearby: Numerous shops and restaurants close by on busy West Main Road. Of course all that Newport has to offer is close by, but biking there from southern end of route is tricky.
Directions: From Route 95, take Exit 9 to Rte. 4 south. Shortly after the merge with Rte. 1 south, take Rte. 138 west. Follow over Jamestown and Newport bridges. Take Rte. 138 exit (Newport Grand casino is front of you at end of ramp). Take a right to rotary. Take first exit onto Coddington Highway and follow until end. At light with Rte. 114, take a left. In about a mile, take left at light onto Northgate Road. Bike route begins at bottom of hill past football field. Parking available.
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GARI Committee Chairwoman Sue Barker
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