Written Directions
This route begins in Middletown, Rhode Island and goes through the countryside, farmland and beaches of Middletown, RI before continuing into Newport, Rhode Island and Ocean Drive.
Scenery
Starting in Middletown, RI this route takes you through the back roads and country setting with nice twisty sections and more gentle curves. You'll pass by lots of farmland, and there won't be so many other motorists on these back roads. Once you reach Third beach Road, you'll start seeing more coastline and beaches. Turning out from Third Beach Road you'll be grated by the Atlantic Ocean, and can either loop up through Sachuest Point and back, or just continue west towards Newport.
Once you make it through Purgatory Road onto Memorial, you'll see lots more cars, restaurants, bars and shops on Memorial Blvd. Continue here on to the historic and well known Lower Thames Street, where you'll pass by hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars.
Once you turn onto Wellington Ave, you'll be starting the actual Ocean Drive loop, where you'll pass Castle Hill, the Coastguard Station, Brenton Point, and then continue east back towards Bellevue Avenue. Bellevue Avenue has dozens of historic mansions and other large impressive homes. I like to finish my rides with a stop at Jimmy's Saloon, a bike friendly bar on memorial Blvd.
Drive Enjoyment
You will come across a variety or road types on this trip, including smooth newly paved sections with nice curves and twisties, old beat up roads, cobblestone sections, etc. In general the area is fairly flat, however there are a few elevation changes as you leave Middletown and head towards Newport past Second Beach.
Tourism Opportunities
There are hundreds of restaurants, shops and bars in the area, as well as Beaches, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Hanging Rock, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Fort Adams State Park, Brenton Point, as well as scenic stopping points on Ocean Drive.