North Road and Evans Notch 9:00 am

Thursday, July 18, 2013

What to do in this hot weather?.... A shady, easy ride along a river!!

How about North Road to Evans Notch? It should be cool in the shade.   To make it different, start in Shelbourne Village instead of the usual Hogan Road/North Road parking area near the dam. By starting in Shelbourne, you will cut out about 3 miles and 2 tough hills at the end of the ride. You add a mile of flat scenic farmland and river, not a bad exchange. 

The ride goes over RR tracks and the Androscoggin River about 1 mile to North Road, then out about 5 miles to the iron bridge, crosses the river and goes to Route 2. Ride a short distance on a wide shoulder on route 2, then take the left onto the road up Evans Notch (Rt 113). 

Some of us will ride up to the small bridge for a nice, easy, gradual route upriver. After the bridge, the steeper climb to the top begins. Some will likely climb to the top. Either way is a spectacular ride, and we can regroup down the river for a snack and a splash of water over our heads. Return to our cars by reversing the route. 

Mileage: about 30 if you do the whole ride to the top of Evans Notch, about 26 if you go to the bridge just before the climb goes from gradual to steep. 

Shorter option?  Start at the iron bridge for a really nice 16 mile ride. 

Time:  Ready to ride at 9:00 am in Shelbourne Village. If you want to start at the iron bridge, look for riders coming across it at about 9:20-9:30. 

Start from Shelbourne Village, just off Meadow Road (a left turn off of Route 2 about 5 miles east from the route 16/2 junction in Gorham). After turning left into Meadow from Route 2 take a quick right onto Village Road. Park across from the library or in the ballpark. Meadow Road joins North Road at that grassy triangle intersection close to the Philbrook Inn. 


If you want to carpool, meet in Jackson, in the parking lot across the street from the J-Town Deli at 8:10 am.