Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Lupine Ride in Randolph and Jefferson

Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Lupine Ride
Ready to Ride at 10:00 am

(See below for info on another Franconia Notch Bike Path Ride on FRIDAY)

It looks like Lupine Season is starting a little bit earlier this year. The lupine webcam at Sugar Hill shows the blooms.  Tomorrow's weather looks like clouds and some patches of sunshine, so it should be fine for a Thursday ride!  (Better than yesterday!!!) 

The Ride:  The route goes by some of the best displays of panoramic scenery and lupine fields in the area. The lupine photo that I have had on this blog for 2 years now shows the beauty - I promise to update these photos...).

The ride includes the entire length of Valley Road, a hidden treasure, running in the valley parallel to Route 2 but without the traffic. Valley Road lacks pavement for about 2 miles. but the riding on it is typically fine- take your time and view the lupine! Durand Road is a terrific ride also, lined with summer houses from the 30's and their nice gardens. Lunch and snack stop will be at the Isreal River Campground.

Start time: 10:00 am ready to ride at the parking lot on the west end of Pinkham B Road at the rail trail crossing.

Carpool: Meet at the Jackson Ski Touring/Wentworth Golf Club parking area across the street from the J-Town Deli at 9:10 am.

Ride length: 26 miles, with extra loop options if anyone wants to go further

Directions to the start: The start is at the Randolph end of the Pinkham B Road. There is parking right next to where the Presidential Rail Trail crosses Pinkham B. Access Pinkham B road from the Dolly Copp Campground entrance off of Route 16. As you drive down the hill on Pinkham B and come out of the woods, where there are 2 houses on the left, the rail trail crosses the road at a public works department building. There is parking on the left side near the rail trail.

If you don't want to drive Pinkham B's dirt and "pavement", drive route 16 to Gorham, follow it towards Berlin and take a left on Route 2 at the traffic light. Go up the big hill and down the other side. Just after the hill flattens, Pinkham B Road will be on your left. Take the left and drive about 0.5 mile to the parking area near the rail trail on the right.

Map: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/jefferson/829127656358752350

Nice photos of lupine in Jefferson:

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/christopherwisker/5794974164/


http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/lupine,nh/Interesting


FridayBike

Betsey Harding has suggested another ride on the Franconia Notch Bike Path. Many ThursdayBikers did not go last week seeing the rain and gloom over here on this side of the mountains. Those that did ignore the pouring rain on the drive over there had a great day in the sunshine (luckily!!).

For those that might like to do the ride (or do it again!) on another sunny day before the tourists crowd the bike path, meet at Loon Mountain, in the ski area parking lot at 10:00 am, ready to ride.  Carpool out of Attitash at 9:00 am. At the time I write this there are at least 6 people going. From Loon it is a 30 mile ride, round trip. For a 19 mile ride, start at The Flume parking lot at the entrance to the bike path. Meet the other riders there at 10:45-11:00.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Franconia Notch Bike Path 10:00 am

Thursday May 24, 2012 I think we have good enough weather to ride the Francinia Notch Bike Path this Thursday. I like riding it early in the season, before it gets too crowded. Meet at the Loon Ski Area parking lot, ready to ride at 10:00 am. The bridge leading to the parking lot was damaged by Hurricane Irene, but is passable now due to a temporary bridge. Starting at Loon, we ride the back roads of Lincoln to Clark's Trading Post, up Route 3 to The Flume, then enjoy the roller coaster of a bike path. It is about 32 miles round trip. For those that want a shorter ride, start at The Flume for a 19 mile ride. Park near the bike path, at the northern end of the lot, up on the left relative to the entrance off of Route 3. Meet the riders coming up from Loon at about 10:45-11:00. If you want to carpool meet at the Attitash parking lot at 9:00 am. If you like, there is good food and home brew at the Woodstock Brewery for après-bike. If you have the NPR or NHPTV discount card bring it for a 2-for-1 meal deal. Here is a map:http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/7074752

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

North Road to Evans Notch 10:00 am

Thursday, May 17, 2012 Looks like a great forecast for the next 6 days!! Hooray!! We haven't had a ride up north yet this season, so let's do the North Road to Evans Notch ride. We did not do this last year, and this is a good time to do it with spring green canopies, rushing water in the river and no traffic. Meet at the intersection of Hogan Road and North Road, ready to ride at 10:00 am. To get to the parking area take Route 16 north to Gorham, hang a right on Route 2, go about 3 miles and take a left onto North Road, shortly after passing a stone house. Hogan Road is on the left shortly after crossing the dam over the Androscoggin River. The distance from the start to the top of the notch, round trip, Is about 35 miles. Don't want to summit the notch?? A great destination is a small bridge located at the start of the climb to the top. Up to this point the ride up is gradual, but gives you a wonderful cruise back down. This chops off about 3 miles total. I actually think North Road is harder than Evans Notch-- the notch is gradual; North Road has some short stiff granny gear climbs. We can find a sunny spot on the river to have a snack. Hopefully the bugs are not too bad!!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Unsettled Weather Default Ride

Thursday, May 10th 2012 There might be a chance to ride between the rain or drizzle predicted for early Thursday morning and late in the day. I will throw this out there and you can look out your window and decide whether it is OK to ride or not. Here is the old favorite iffy weather ride: Meet at 10:00 in the parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway. The ride will be the usual West Side Road to Passaconaway and up the Kanc to Lower Falls. You can make it longer or shorter depending on the conditions in the sky. Total miles round trip to Lower Falls is about 25 miles.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Thursday May 3rd, 2012

The weather still does not look too good -- kinda like today, dreary cold and damp.  If you really want to ride, check this site at 8:00 am and perhaps I can post a short local ride that is not in the wet damp weather.  Something like WestSide -Passaconaway or other default ride.