Franconia Notch Bike Path and Old Man Memorial

Thursday, June 16

Ready to Ride at 10:00 am

The weather forecast for Thursday looks good (we probably won't get wet this week!!) so lets do an "away" ride over the hill to Lincoln and Franconia Notch. The Old Man of the Mountain Memorial was dedicated on Sunday, so let's check that out too:

http://www.ajc.com/travel/fallen-rock-star-nh-973158.html

Traditionally, there has been a gathering at the Woodstock Inn for food and drink after the ride. If you have a Public Radio or NHPTV member card, the Woodstock Inn has a 2-for-1 deal if you bring your card.

The bike path is wonderful - a paved path though the woods, great views, interesting stops along the way (view of where the Old Man used-to-be, the new memorial, The Basin, The New England Ski Museum (free), climbers on the sheer cliffs, the lakes, the notch, Cannon Mt.).

For the longer ride (approximately 32 miles), start out of the Loon Ski Area parking lot, ride on a quiet back road in residential Lincoln avoiding the busy Main Street (Pollard Rd; turn right of the Kanc by The Common Man Restaurant), then out onto Route 3 by Clark's Trading Post. Ride up Route 3 by the 1950's style motels and cabins and Indian Head to The Flume parking area where the bike path begins. It is about 6 miles to this point.

The bike path starts at the upper, northern end of the parking lot; turn left as you enter the lot and ride up to the entrance way.

The bike path IS NOT a rail trail - it IS NOT flat - it will be a great use of all of the gears that you have on your bike. There are some short sharp ups, and short sharp downs, some sweeping turns, bridges and tunnels - all lending itself to a wonderful Disney World attraction for us. The way back is a smiling mostly downhill cruise.

This is a great time of the year to ride this, as there are not many tourists, walkers, baby carriages, in-line skaters, etc. on the path to get in our way!

For the shorter ride, just do the bike path. It is about 19 miles round trip from the Flume parking lot.


For the Longer Ride: Ready-to-ride at the Loon Ski Area parking lot at 10:00 am. Enter the Loon parking lot at the Main entrance (by the train engine), cross the bridge then bear left up towards the main lodge. There is lots of parking available on the right side of the lot.


For the shorter ride: Meet the longer riders at The Flume Parking Lot near the bike path entrance between 10:45 and 11:00 am.

Carpooling: Meet at Grant's Supermarket Parking lot at 8:40 am to load up. Drive to Loon via Bear Notch Road and the Kanc.

There are bathroom facilities at Loon, The Flume and at various parking lots along the Bike Path. There is a snack bar/ice cream near the Ski Museum at Cannon Mt. It should be open by now.

Bring water, food and snacks for a picnic either at the Cannon Tram/Ski Museum, the new memorial or by the lake. This should be a great day!

Here is a map:

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/-lincoln/125124277838389505