Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Basin of Blooming 'Taters

I think we should be OK for the ThursdayBike Ride....

Surprisingly, the potato fields in North Fryebug look really good - the plants are blooming! Looks like the potatoes don't mind the wet conditions. The corn and soybeans are suffering, however. Let's go cheer on the potato blooms and ride out to The Basin. It will be so nice there in the sunshine!!? A few days ago I looked at the short road leading up to The Basin - it is nicely packed dirt, better looking than when we rode it last year.

Starting place: The Peace With-Inn Bed and Breakfast. Catherine Kyle has once again offered us the big parking area there (parking area on the left side of the Inn). The Inn is 7 miles from North Conway: Take East Conway Road past Sherman Farms, bear left onto Route 113 North. At Webster's Country Store bear right to continue north on 113, and continue 1 mile north to the Peace With-Inn, on the left. Here is more info on the Peace With-Inn: http://www.peacewithinn.com/directions.htm

Here is a map:

Total distance for the route from the Peace With-Inn to The Basin and return: 37 miles (relatively flat ones!)

Shorter options -- lots of possibilities here... here are some ideas for you:

Start at Peace With-Inn and ride to the Stow Store: 19 miles. Add the North Chatham loop for a total of 25 miles.

Start at the North Fryeburg Fire Station or the White Church at the corner of Fish St and Route 113, to The Basin and back: 26 miles (ride out to McNeil via Fish St and meet the rest of the riders out there on their way to The Basin).

Start at the Stow Store, meet the riders and go to The Basin: 18 miles

Ready to Ride at 10:00 am (I really want to start our summer riding time of 9:00 am, but the weather forecast looks better if we wait until 10)

Carpool? Those form the Bartlett/Jackson area: Meet at Grant's Supermarket parking lot in Glen at 9:00 am

Bring a lunch and snacks to enjoy in The Basin
Other news: The Maine Bike Rally is this weekend!

For the list of rides on Friday late afternoon, Saturday and Sunday, click here: http://www.cascobaybicycleclub.org/rallyrides.htm


This site has the list with start times, maps, leaders/sweeps and cue sheets. Local riders ride free. Just go to the Fryeburg Academy Gym, sign up and ride! Try something new!


And last but not least -- From Ralph -- an article he found on what we are missing down in the Boston area cycling scene...


http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2009/07/07/the_sun_is_barely_up_when_a_group_of_doctors_lawyers_and_other_professionals_hit_the_road_for_their_weekly_cycle?s_campaign=8315


I hope to see you Thursday in the sunshine!!