Brownfield ride with Adventure Option...10:00 am

Thursday November 17th, 2016

This warmer than average November weather is allowing for consistently enjoyable ThursdayBiking!!

I would like to take advantage of this weather and offer a ride that would be new, different and an adventure (meaning there might be some walking involved....)

There are 2 options, for either one, meet at the Maine Visitor's Center in Fryeburg (just over the border on Route 302) at 10:00 am, ready to ride.

Option #1: The Traditional One:

This is the Brownfield Loop, up Haleytown then left into Brownfield, turn right onto Pig, then off to Sam Brown's Hill.  This is 23 miles.

Option #2: The Adventure:

This is a favorite loop that I enjoy, however it includes some dirt roads along with pavement, so it adds some adventure. It is a very fun, scenic loop!

It starts out just as described above...Haleytown to Brownfield, then instead of turing back onto Pig Street at the Route 5 intersection, this ride continues across Route 5, across the Saco River, out on Lord's Hill Road where we take a LEFT at the end (typically we take a right here and ride up those hills back to Route 160). This left turn winds us around and then turns to dirt roads that are typically solid -- cars use them. The route ends up on Denmark Road that eventually crosses Route 302 and heads over the Hemlock Covered Bridge. There might be some softer dirt here in spots, might need to walk the bike a bit. It is sunny there alongside the farm fields.

We ride alongside the Old Saco River, down Frog Alley, (paved) then cross Route 5 and back onto a dirt road (River Road) alongside the turf fields and end up in North Fryeburg on MacNeil Road. Ride back to the Visitors Center on pavement. A 36 mile loop. Once done with Haleytown Road and Lord's Hill Road, the route (particularly the dirt part) is Fryeburg-Farm-Fields-FLAT.

Here is the map, note that for this Thursday's ride I eliminated the part that includes the bike path and the airport area dirt roads to accommodate riders that do not want any dirt:
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/north-conway-nh/dirt-and-pavement-north-fryeburg-mountai-route-152370317

If you have a bike that has a bit wider tires or cyclocross tires, or a hybrid for this loop you will likely enjoy it more. A mountain bike could work but might be sluggish on the pavement, pump the tires up more.

Option #3:

Ride out to Lord's Hill Road with the dirt road rider(s), then turn back the minute you see the dirt road looming up ahead, adds 7 miles.