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.
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