Post Archives

Thursday, June 26
Hosted by Linda Kearney
Other Side of Crawford Notch
Let's go with the "Other Side of Crawford Notch" which is essentially the ride described by Marty Basch in the paper last year. The difference is that we might as well save gas and start at Crawford Notch rather than drive to Twin Mountain. We should have a nice tailwind to help us sail up the notch back to our cars at the end of the ride! The ride includes Mount Clinton Road, The Base Road, Route 302 towards Bethlehem, Trudeau Road to Route 3, then back via Route 302 up the easy side of Crawford Notch. When: 9:30 am, ready to ride. Those wishing to car pool, meet at Grant's parking lot in Glen and leave at 8:45 Where: Crawford Notch Train Station Depot, which is on the tracks just east of the AMC Highland Center. Meet on your bikes near the train depot bathroom/giftshop buildings. Parking may be crowded due to tourist season - park in one of several lots (AMC or depot) or hikers parking on highway shoulder near RR tracks (or ride up the notch from home....!). Total miles to do the entire ride: 35 miles Shorter version (without the Trudeau Road loop, but includes picnic stop): 22 miles Picnic/Food stop: Subway sub shop at campground and gas station, just East of the Twin Mountain 4-corners junction of Route 302 and Route 3.




Thursday, June 12
Yes, it is time for another Notch!! NOTE EARLIER START TIME!!! Climb before it is too hot! Pinkham Notch to Gorham for Lunch Yes, there is a climb, but the ride down, in each direction, is spectacular and you will love it!! Choose your starting place: 9:00, ready to ride at the Dunkin Donuts parking lot for a 40 mile round trip. Climbs the notch 2x, once in each direction. 9:15, ready to ride at the Rocky Branch Trialhead parking lot, just up route16, on the left, about 1/2 mile north of the Dana Place Inn. This cuts out a significant amount of climbing (climb the notch 1.5x) and gives you a 30 mile round trip. The road widens from here, giving you a better shoulder and more "breathing room"! I'll climb the notch just once, thank you, option: AMC Pinkham Notch parking lot. ~10:00 am. 22 miles round trip. Catch the riders coming up (likely stopping to use the bathroom at the AMC!) and join in for the wonderful cruise downhill to Gorham.The ride back up is not difficult! Bear Notch is harder. Easiest option: Great Glen Trails parking lot ~10:15 am. 17 miles round trip. Catch the riders cruising downhill with big smiles on their faces. The ride back up to Great Glen from Gorham is surprisingly gradual (easier than Bear Notch, with flatter sections).
For those of you in Glen or Jackson, ride from your house and meet the riders coming up Route 16! Lunch in Gorham: As you approach Gorham, before you intersect with Route 2, cross the RR tracks (Very Carefully!!! Walk!!) and take an immediate left, before the park, onto Railroad Avenue. Continue down Railroad Avenue to The Moonbeam Cafe, or go over to The White Mountain Cafe or Saladino's. The group can make the choice. Eat outside in the park if you like! Here is the map to play with:


Thursday, June 19
CANCELLED FOR TODAY
POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 24 North Road to Bethel Hosted by Ralph Fiore North Road is a gem!! It is a scenic, quiet road which goes from the eastern end of Gorham to Shelburne to Gilead and then to Bethel, ME. The road goes along the north side of the Androscoggin River. Route 2, which has trucks, tourists and traffic, travels along the south ride of the river. Start at the intersection of North Road and Hogan Road, on the north side of the river, ready to ride at 10:00 am. To get to this point, drive north over Pinkham Notch on Route 16. Turn right at the intersection with route 2 in Gorham. Drive about 3 miles, and turn left onto North Road, just after a beautiful stone house and barn. Cross the river at the dam, and proceed about 1/4 mile to where North Road bears sharply right. Hogan Road, a dirt road with access to several trailheads, comes in from the left at this point, and there is a dirt parking area there.
PLEASE CARPOOL to minimize the number of cars in this lot (see below..)! The ThursdayBike group could overwhelm this lot! There is additional parking on the right side of Route 3, just past the intersection with North Road. It is the Appalachain Trailhead parking. If you know this lot, park there and ride over to the Hogan Road lot - this will save parking spaces for others. The entire ride on North Road to the picnic area alongside the river in Bethel, and back, is 39 miles. The ride is not difficult, no notches! There are flat sections, sections of rolling hills, lots of scenery and occasional views of the river. Near the end, just before reaching Route 2/Route 5, there is a bike path that turns right at a red fire hydrant and goes behind the water slide park. The path goes for 1.1 miles, ending at a nice picnic spot (and porta-potty). There are many options for food in Bethel, or just bring your own. Shorter Options: Since the ride is out-and-back, you can decide when you've had enough and turn back to the parking lot: To Shelburne and back is 10.2 miles round trip To the Gilead steel trestle bridge is 18.6 miles round trip Or, to have fewer miles, but still join in on the eating and chatting at the picnic area in Bethel, drive to the Gilead bridge (Bridge Street), park there at the canoe parking area on the southwest side of the bridge, and join the riders there as they ride by on North Road at about 10:45-11:00. Starting at the bridge and riding to Bethel will give you a 20 mile round trip. CARPOOLING! To carpool, meet at the Dunkin Donuts in Glen at 8:45-9:00 if you can either take a bike or two in/on your car, or if you would like to join a carpool. Carpools will leave Dunkin Donuts at 9:10. For a map you can play with, click on: