North Road to Bethel 10:00 am

June 14th, 2012

With the motorcycles in the valley, how about heading north to escape the noise?  North Road is typically a good option for peace and quiet, and we haven't done the ride to Bethel yet this season. I will not be here for ths ride, I am off on a bike tour. Looks like another sunny Thursday!!  Enjoy!!
 
Start at the intersection of North Road and Hogan Road, on the north side of the Androscoggin River, ready to ride at 10:00 am.

Total distance to the riverside park and back is 39 miles.

CARPOOLING: If you would like to carpool, meet in Jackson at the golf course parking lot across from the J-Town Deli at 9:00.

For a map: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/871217


To get to the starting 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 trail heads, comes in from the left, and there is a dirt parking area there. (Those of you from the Fryeburg area probably do best by driving up and over Evans Notch).

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 - it has a mix of flat sections, rolling hills, a few short granny gear climbs, lots of farm and mountain 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 riverside picnic spot (and porta-potty).
Although there are many options for food in Bethel, it easiest to bring your own lunch.

Shorter Options:

For the best shorter option, do the eastern (Bethel) portion of North Road. This starts at the Gilead bridge at a parking area for boaters. This option allows you to meet up with everyone and have lunch together at the riverside park. This is a 20 mile option.

Drive to the Gilead steel trestle bridge (Bridge Street) via Route 2 (look for it on the left soon after the intersection with the road that goes over Evans Notch - after the new Route 2 bridge), park at the canoe parking area on the southwest side of the bridge, ride across the bridge and join the riders there as they ride by on North Road at about 10:45.