Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Thursday, October 8th: North Road

Fall Colors on North Road!

North Road should be stunning this week with this season's fall foliage!

Start at the usual spot in Shelborne at the intersection of North Road and Hogan Road, on the north side of the Androscoggin 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.

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). If it is too chilly to sit and picnic, we can go to a cafe about 1/2 mile into town.

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 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.

Longer Option: For those who might want another scenic 6 miles, there is a nice view loop in Bethel that can be added. It goes through town and up Paradise Road, returning on Vernon St. It is on the map, below.

CARPOOLING! To carpool, meet at the Grants parking lot 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 at 9:00.

For a map including the loop in Bethel, click either of the links below:

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/-gorham/854125488029482602

View Interactive Map on MapMyRide.com

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