What’s next?

Donald hopes that some of the people who have discovered Connecticut trails during the pandemic will keep using them once life returns to normal.

He also knows the increased usage numbers could help organizers get the funding needed to build new trails. Three phases are planned in Plainville, Phase 4 in New Haven (expanding from Yale University to Water Street) needs to go out for bid again and plans are in place to connect a Southington trail that stops at Lazy Lane to points north of Southington.

Projects in Bloomfield, Bolton and Manchester recently wrapped up and Donald said work in the Tariffville section of Simsbury is planned for later this year.

Events like next month’s Connecticut’s Ride the State, a 56-mile bike up the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail from New Haven to Southwick, Mass., and the New York City to Philadelphia Greenway Ride have been postponed. Donald hopes that smaller rides could happen later this year.

“It is just the reality right now and we want to err on the side of caution,” Donald said. “It is almost like a game of chicken right now: Who is the first large organization that is going to have a ride? And so far I don’t know of one yet.”