Crawford Notch to Wing Road (near Bethlehem)
The trees are beginning to turn colors up in the notches, so lets do a ride to get some of the best views New Hampshire has to offer. Looks like Thursday should be good for some panoramas! Also, we need to ride that fresh smooth black velvet pavement in the Fabyans-Twin Mountain area (they even paved the entire shoulder for us).
This ride has some familiar roads and some new ones to add to the ThursdayBike collection. The ride is similar to the ride that we have done west from Crawford Notch-Trudeau Road, but includes some pleasant riverside riding along the Ammonoosuc River as it winds from Twin Mountain to Littleton, circling the Bethlehem hill. For those of you who have cycled to Littleton from either Whitefield or from Twin Mountain, that climb into Bethlehem is always a chore. This route on River Road and Wing Road is an easy passageway around that hill.
The ride starts at Crawford Notch, at the Forest Service parking area on the left side of Mt. Clinton Road, 0.1 mile from its intersection with Route 302. Ride down Crawford Notch on 302 west through Twin Mountain. About 1/3 mile before the bridge over the Ammonoosuc and the "Crossroads of America" building at Trudeau Road, take a right onto Beech Hill Road and then an immediate left onto River Road. The ride crosses Route 142 onto Wing Road and continues along the river until Route 116 (Littleton is only about 4 miles from this intersection). There are a few possible picnic spots either along the river or at the pond near the end of the road (or Littleton?). To return, retrace the route back to 302, then ride Trudeau Road and back for the Presidential Panoramas on Routes 3 and 302.
Meet: Forest Service parking area on Mt Clinton Road, top of Crawford Notch. If you do not have a forest service pass on your car, park at the Crawford Depot RR station and ride up to meet everyone at the parking lot.
Time: Ready to ride at 10:00 (starting times will now be 10:00 am! Fall schedule!)
Total Distance: 40 miles
Shorter options: The only significant hill on the route is the last short pull up Crawford Notch to Mt Clinton Road. This ride is really very flat relative to many that we have done!! If you just don't feel like doing that climb, park at the Eisenhower Wayside Park (sledding hill) about 1 mile down from the Notch on the right hand side of the road. Wait for the rest of the riders to ride by and join in!
To start at Fabyans will give you 30 flatter miles round trip. Zealand parking area gives you an even flatter 26.
For a map click either of these links:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/bretton-woods/681125365846685286
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