Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Day Bike Ride 10:30 am

Friday, December 25th, 2015

Christmas Day will be unusually warm, and the sun will be out. Anyone want to get together for a morning ride before the Christmas dinner?

Meet at the parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Hotel in North Conway, ready to ride at 10:30 am.

On Thanksgiving Day, Joe, Judy and I had a great ride, we just ambled over to see the alpacas at the Lucy Farm, then Echo Lake, then the horses along West Side Road and the cattle at the corner of Passaconaway. "Tour de Livestock". We looped back via Allen's Siding and had a fun easy ride before the feast!

I will not be joining in this time, but I am posting this hoping that there will be a few of you who will enjoy a rare chance for a Christmas Day bike ride. Sure, it would be better to have a Christmas Day xc ski, but take what we can get.

Stay tuned for ThursdaySki!!

Merry Christmas Everyone, and Have an Adventure-Filled 2016!

P.S. Check older posts for the info on the C&O/GAP bike tour next September. We have 7 ThursdayBikers already signed up!!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Again no ThursdayBike, no ThursdaySki

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The weather and snow conditions are not good enough for either biking or xc skiing this Thursday. Once the snow falls look for xc ski postings for Thursdays or Wednesdays! Check out next week, if the weather allows for a ride on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I will post one, a record for ThursdayBike!

Need a new Terry saddle?  They are so expensive, rarely on sale, but the Titanium railed Butterfly (women) and Fly (men) are on sale this week. Free shipping, so $98 instead of $164. Woohoo, just had to share the joy. www.terry.com

Thinking ahead to next year's bike adventures...

Check out the C&O Canal/Great Allegheny Passage bike tour offered by Adventure Cycling next fall, September 17-24, 2016. A few ThursdayBikers have already signed up for this tour!  Perhaps you would like to join in? The ride starts in Washington DC and ends in Pittsburgh, riding the historic C&O Canal Path and the Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail.

The tour is an 8 day fully supported camping tour, which means a truck carries the baggage, meals are catered, campsites are in campgrounds with showers. Two nights are in hotels. Bikes and tires should be able to handle packed dirt and double track on the C&O and hard packed stone dust on the GAP (hybrid, touring, cyclocross preferred, mountain bike OK with a change to lighter tires for a better ride). Check out all the details and itinerary at www.adventurecycling.org. I have arranged for a group/bike club discount, enter "ThursdayBike" group in the comments. 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

No ThursdayBike, No ThursdaySki

Thursday, December 10, 2015

The weather and snow conditions are not good enough for either biking or xc skiing this week. Once the snow falls look for xc ski postings for Thursdays or Wednesdays!

Thinking ahead to next year's bike adventures...

Check out the C&O Canal/Great Allegheny Passage bike tour offered by Adventure Cycling next fall, September 17-24, 2016. A few ThursdayBikers have already signed up for this tour!  Perhaps you would like to join in? The ride starts in Washington DC and ends in Pittsburgh, riding the historic C&O Canal Path and the Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail.

The tour is an 8 day fully supported camping tour, which means a truck carries the baggage, meals are catered, campsites are in campgrounds with showers. Two nights are in hotels. Bikes and tires should be able to handle packed dirt and double track on the C&O and hard packed stone dust on the GAP (hybrid, touring, cyclocross preferred, mountain bike OK but overkill and slow). Check out all the details and itinerary at www.adventurecycling.org. I have arranged for a group/bike club discount.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

No ride this week due to rain and snow

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Tough to get a ride in these days, and now the roads have been salted due to yesterday's freezing rain. Maybe next week?  If not enough snow to XC ski, might as well bike! Alpine slopes have been good, I hear! Hiking has been good, too!

Remember that ThursdayBike morphs into ThursdayXCSki (or might be Wednesday XCSki) once trails are covered with snow. Keep checking the blog and get the skis out and ready!!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Thanksgiving Day Ride 10:30 am

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Abundant sunshine, low 40's. In March with this forecast we will be running out of our houses wearing our Hawaiian shirts and hitting the slopes, beach parties. Now we hesitate a bit.

I am ready to do a short ride tomorrow, before the Thanksgiving Meal! Anyone want to join in? A short, easy paced ride will be the way to enjoy the sunshine and the spin!

Meet at the parking lot behind the Eastern Slopes Inn in North Conway at 10:30 am. We can do West Side and Passaconaway or do a tour of North Conway (Cranmore, Old Bartlett Road, 16A, Town Hall Road). Riders will decide.

Have a great Thanksgiving with friends and family!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

No Ride This Week due to Cold and Rain

Thursday, November 19th, 2015

Looks like the weather is not cooperating with us for a ride this week.

Check again next week... perhaps the weather will allow for a Thanksgiving Day short ride before the Turkey dinner!!!

Cheers!! Have a nice holiday!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Weather not looking good...

Thursday, November 12, 2015

The forecast does not look inspiring for a ride tomorrow, with cool temps, clouds and rain coming in.

The long term forecast looks good for NEXT Thursday, see you then, I hope!!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Basin, 10:30 am

Thursday, Nov 5, 2015

How about a late fall ride to The Basin?

The weather forecast looks great! Starting at 10:30 should insure a warmer start. Ride as far as you like, many options to choose from.  Check out the former location of the Red Iron Bridge. Check out the new pavement on Union Hill Road (only about a mile, but we'll take it!!) Stop at the Stow Store for lunch or snacks. The fall fields and golden colors will be beautiful!

Meet at the corner of South Chatham Road and Route 113 in North Fryeburg, alongside the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station. As you already know, please do not block the fire station parking area. 

The last quarter mile up to The Basin is a dirt road, and I am not sure of its condition at this point of the season. If it is a wash out, you may want to just use the campground at the entrance as the lunch and/or turnaround spot. 

The starting time, ready-to-ride will be 10:30 am.


Doing the ride starting south on 113 with a left on Fish St and left on MacNeil, it will be a 28 mile ride.  Add another 5 miles if you add the Cornshop-Rt 5-Fish Street loop.    


Enjoy! I will see you next week, hopefully the weather will be good then, too!!!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Ride is cancelled

Thursday, October 29th, 2015

Tomorrow's forecasted temperatures look enticingly warm, and the rain will stop during the morning, BUT I think the wind will be too strong for fun riding. The wet leaves on the road may be too slippery for safe riding, so, unfortunately, I am canceling the ride for the 2nd week in a row.

This is the iffy season for riding around here -- but stay tuned to this blog, because I will try to post rides if the weather cooperates! One year we rode into early December!!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

SaturdayBike on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

RIDE IS ON!!! See you there!!!!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Since this week's Thursday ride was cancelled because of damp cold and wet fog (first cancellation of the season!) it is worth taking advantage of a good weather day to do another adventure. About 10 days ago, Dave and Connie organized a trip over to St. Johnsbury, VT to ride on the newly completed Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (opened officially at the end of September). It is about 17 miles of trail from St. Johnsbury to Danville, ending alongside Joe's Pond. It is part of a project that is patching together pieces of the rail route to establish the longest continuous rail trail in New England, stretching about 100 miles form S.t Johnsbury to St. Albans.

The surface is hard packed smooth stone dust. There are tunnels and bridges, lots of forest and good views of the Vermont hillsides. There is a good general store in Danville for hot soup, coffee and lunch.  When we did the trail there were many bikers, pedestrians, dog walkers, and two horses out enjoying the trail. The weather forecast is sunny and 53 degrees. Nice for late October!

The surface is fine for all bikes. A mountain bike is overkill. The only occasional surface issues I saw were at some of the road crossings, the interface between the trail and the road was not always perfectly aligned. The trail climbs gradually all the way to Danville. It is a hardly noticeable climb. The downhill trip back, however, is a hoot! It is certainly the easiest, flattest way to travel east-west across any part of Vermont!! Thank you to the railroad designers and engineers!

Check out the website: www.lvrt.org

Time:  Ready to ride at the Lamoille Valley Rail Trailhead at 10:30 am.

Carpool? If you like, meet at Attitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, at 9:00 am to carpool., otherwise, meet at the trailhead in St Johnsbury.

Directions:

Take Route 302 over Crawford Notch towards Bethlehem and get onto Route 93 north into Vermont. At the Route 91 interchange, go north on 91. Take the first exit, Route 5, then take a right at the end of the ramp and go a short distance, noticing the sign for the bike path on the right. It is called Railroad Street or Main Street depending on map. Take the right and then immediate right again down a short steep slope into the trailhead parking lot. The map app says it is a 1 hour 15 minutes drive.

Bring snacks and lunch or stop at the General store in Danville.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Cancelled. First cancellation of a 2015 Thursday ride

Thursday, October 22, 2015, 10:00 am

It is wet, chilly and foggy here at my house at the moment. I think it best to stay off the roads in this weather. The sun may be out this afternoon!

If I don't see you on the road, see you at:

Thursday evening is the MWVBicycling Club end of season party at the Red Fox, 5-7.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Franconia Notch Bike Path and Kinsman's Notch from Woodstock Brewery, 10:00 am

Thursday, October 15th, 2015

I returned from Connecticut yesterday via Kinsman's Notch, The Kanc and Bear Notch Road. The foliage was absolutely spectacular! Every twist and turn in the roads produced another jaw dropping brilliant palette of fall color, particularly the variety of deep reds and oranges.

I decided that we should head over there to enjoy the colors at the pace of a bicycle, and the particularly slow ambling pace of a bicycle climbing the Franconia Notch Bike Path and Kinsman's Notch.

For this ride we start and finish in Woodstock, at the public parking lot behind the storefronts across from the Woodstock Brewery. Starting here cuts out some mileage, reducing the ride to only 37 scenic miles.

The route goes up the bike path via the Old Man Memorial to Echo Lake, then exits the bike path to head down Route 18 by Millersill Ski Area. The route then cuts over to the glider airport in Franconia via Wells Road. We then ride Route 116 via the tennis camp and end up on the Kanc, climb Kinsman's and cruise back to the Brewery in Woodstock.

I think the bike path is actually a more difficult climb than Kinsman's. The bike path twists and turns, goes up and down - you use every gear you have, and you shift constantly...Kinsman's starts as a very gradual steady grade with great views, then increases grade at the top near the pond. The trip back down to the brewery is a downhill-all-the-way cruise...make sure your brakes are working well!

For those that want a shorter option, just enjoy the bike path all the way to its end and then turn back and enjoy the mostly downhill cruise to the brewery, for about 28 miles. The Kinsman's Notch riders will be there eventually to join you. The sunshine might allow for one last outdoor burger and beer on the patio.

To get to the parking lot in Woodstock:  Join the Leaf Peepers and drive the amazing colors of Bear Notch Road and the Kanc to Lincoln, following the Kanc past the Route 93 interchange into Woodstock. Just as you are slowing down, after crossing the river, BEFORE approaching the traffic light in Woodstock at the Route 3 junction, there is an entrance to the public parking lot on your right. It is a big lot behind the storefronts on Route 3. If you miss this entrance, take a right into Woodstock onto Route 3 and drive about a block, looking for the parking lot entrance driveway on your right. It is BEFORE you reach the Woodstock Brewery.

Let's be ready to ride at 10:00 am. It will be chilly in the early morning, warming to the mid to high 50's with plenty of sunshine and very light breeze. Perfect.

Carpool from the Attitash parking lot (far end, away from the lifts) at 8:50 am. It is a one hour drive to Woodstock. I hope the foliage is as spectacular as it was on Tuesday! If you have a NPR or NHPR discount book, bring it for the 2-fer deal at the Brewery.

Here is a map:

http://www.mapmyride.com/us/deerfield-nh/franconia-notch-bike-path-and-kinsman-no-route-88390075

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Vermont Side of the Connecticut River to Pittsburg

Thursday, October 8th, 2015  Attitash at 8:00

The weather forecast looks great for Thursday, cool but sunny, so we need to do an absolutely fantastic ride to celebrate the fall foliage. I always wait for a perfect day to do this ride, and here it is!!! This ride is my favorite ride in NH! Ride alongside the Connecticut River, farm fields, cows, horses, 2 waterfalls, 2 covered bridges, panoramic views, cross the 45th parallel! History - "The Republic of Indian Stream" which declared itself an independent nation in 1832. We will ride over the 3 rivers involved in this border dispute between the US and Canada. (see links for history, below).

The ride starts on Route 102 in Bloomfield, VT at a parking area just south of DeBanville's General Store (which was closed and for sale last time we were there). The ride is lollipop shaped, gently going up the CT River to lunch in Pittsburg, NH. It then turns south climbing an interesting hill with a 20 mile mostly downhill reward back to the car. It has been labeled by a friend from the mid west as a "Disneyland E-Ticket". See the photo on the right?? Ride through Colebrook on the way back, stop at the French Bakery Cafe, and cross the CT river back into VT for a nice downstream cruise back to DeBanville's Store. Of course there will be a tailwind on the way back.

Distance: 58 miles, mostly flat, one climb. This is an easy 58, easier than many 40 milers we have done!! This is the ride to log your longest mileage of the season, or your longest ever! 

Shorter version? OK. Many options because you can do out and back on the VT side of the CT River on Route 102. To the shady town green in Canaan, VT and back is 43 gentle, scenic miles. To Colebrook and back is 27 miles. 

My suggestion for a shorter ride that has the E-Ticket return from Pittsburg: Start from Colebrook and do the loop along the CT River to Pittsburg, returning by the fun downhill.  This is a 40 miler that has all the major highlights, just cuts the miles down by avoiding the the flat cruising along the CT River to DeBanville's. There is a large public parking lot in Colebrook across form Howard's Diner (sadly, Diner closed last time I was there).

Ready to ride in Bloomfield at 9:45 am.

Carpool from the far end of the Attitash parking lot at 8:00 am. According to the map app, it should be a 1.5 hour drive.

Directions to the start: Route 302 to Twin Mountain, turn right at the light onto Route 3. Drive up Route 3 through Whitefield, Lancaster and Groveton. Turn left in North Stratford, NH to cross the CT river into Bloomfield, VT on Route 105. Take a left onto route 102 immediately after you cross the river, DeBanville's store is (was) on the corner. Drive under the railroad bridge and you will see the dirt parking area on the right with a kiosk describing the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Park here tightly, as there is not a lot of space. Overflow can be on the NH side of the river in North Stratford. There is an attractive outhouse in the woods near the parking lot. 

The map: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/114661305

For info on The Republic of Indian Stream check these:

http://bigthink.com/strange-maps/27-the-republic-of-indian-stream-1832-1835
http://www.cowhampshireblog.com/2006/05/21/new-hampshire-missing-places-indian-stream-republic-1829-1836/
http://afkabob.com/nhhistmk/nhhistmk6.htm

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

West Side, Conway Village, Kanc to Rocky Gorge. 10:00 am start

Thursday, October 1st

The weather forecast suggests a good ride tomorrow morning, sunny but chilly! With all of today's rain coming down the rivers, I thought it would be fun to do a rushing river-side ride, so let's see what Lower Falls and Rocky Gorge look like. We head down West Side Road to Conway Village, then go up the Kanc along the Swift River. On the return via Passaconaway, we can go into Grandview to explore the new roads and do the new loop.

Pull out the warmer biking clothes and see you at the public parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway, ready to ride at 10:00 am.

Can be up to a 32 mile ride. To cut out about 12 miles, start at the Saco Ranger Station to meet the others riding by at about 10:45 am.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Tour de Portland, 10:00 am start in Scarborough

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Happy Fall season, everyone! The weather is perfect for an adventure ride! This Portland "Field Trip" is a great ride using the Eastern Trail (part of the East Coast Greenway) as a way to access the sites of Portland, ME. The East Coast Greenway goes from Calais, ME at the Canadian Border, to Key West, FL. Here is the portion that travels though Portland, South Portland and Scarborough.

By starting at the Eastern Road trailhead in Scarborough, near the Scarborough Marsh, the ride is mostly on paved bike path and paved roads. We will visit Bug Light, also the Eastern Promenade, likely see a big cruise ship at the Portland docks, and we will travel over the graceful Casco Bay Drawbridge on a bike/pedestrian path. Perhaps we will see it go up to allow a tanker to pass through, as we saw last year! A hard packed dirt section around the Back Cove of Portland is an option, also an option is to ride the hard packed dirt section that goes through Scarborough Marsh. In the past I have started this ride at the Thornton Academy in Saco, but this puts us on dirt miles which might deter some participants. The dirt sections are options, not required in this ride.

To get there:  My GPS says that it takes 1 hour 45 minutes from Glen to Eastern Road in Scarborough, but I would allow a bit more time considering the road construction projects. Take Route 302 to Fryeburg, then head towards Portland on Route 113. Continue to Routes 25, then 112, then 114.  Route 114 will cross US Route 1 at an intersection with 2 gas stations, an Amato's and a Walgreens. Continue straight across Route 1, and in about 0.5 mile, take a right on Eastern Road, at a well marked pedestrian/bike road crossing. Drive about 0.25 mile and park in the Eastern Trail dirt lot on the left side.

Ready to Ride at 10:00 am

Bring lunch and snacks to eat ...with an ocean view.

Total miles: 38, with options to extend this to 45, either to Black Point or to ride some of the hard packed dirt section headed towards Thornton Academy in Saco.

I have the route posted on MapMy Ride under the title "Tour de Portland".

Email me if you plan to join in so that I will know you are coming.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Bear Notch Loop 9:00 am

Thursday, September 17th, 2015

The traffic has gone back home and to school, so it is a good time to do some local rides before the leaf peepers arrive. The weather looks perfect for the Bear Notch Loop. I will not be joining you, but I did it a few days ago and it always impresses me with how beautiful this ride is!

Park at the public parking lot behind the Eastern Slopes Inn in North Conway.  I suggest a counterclockwise loop to get all the climbing over with early and to enjoy that cruise down Bear Notch, the Kanc and Passaconaway.  You can vote on the direction to go, see what the riders prefer!

Stop at Rocky Gorge for a lunch or a snack.

Ready to Ride at 9:00 am. Bring food and water.

IF the weather looks good for next Thursday, I may be setting up the "Tour de Portland Ride". This is new to ThursdayBike, but has been rider tested and approved as great tour. This ride uses the Eastern Trail (East Coast Greenway) and local roads to enjoy a trip through Scarborough and Portland, lighthouses, bridges, marshes. I would like to share this great ride with all of you!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Attitash to the Willey House

Thursday, September 10, 2015

It looks possible for a ride tomorrow if we stay close to home and finish before the afternoon storms start to come in. How about this regular local ride that is a good workout and is beautiful? Also, we can turn back for a quick downhill return if the weather starts to threaten.

We have not had a cancellation so far this season.... let's see what we can get in tomorrow to keep the streak going!!!

Start at the Attitash parking lot, far western end, away from the lifts and activities.

Ready to Ride at 9:00 am

Total distance from Attitash to the Willey House and back is about 29 miles.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Tour de Fryeburg, 9:00 am

Thursday, September 3, 2015

With a threat of precipitation in the afternoon, I am setting up a ride that will get us out and back before too much heat and any rain issues. This ride is easy, covers very familiar territory, but mixes it up a bit to try to be interesting and to ride as much of that new black velvet pavement as possible!!

Start at the Fryeburg Visitor's Center, ride out the bike path, turning left into Fryeburg Village at the auto repair shop. Cross over Route 302 and ride by Weston's Beach and follow newly paved Route 113 up to Cornshop Road. Loop around by the familiar short bit of Route 5 then Fish Street then McNeil. The usual route up Union Hill then Meadow to the Stow Store for a snack. Return by new pavement on Route 113, then back to the bike path.

Ready to Ride at 9:00 am at the Fryeburg Visitor's Center on Route 302.

Total distance: 30 miles.  Route is on MapMy Ride, called "Fryeburg Bikepath to Stow Store"

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Lost Nation Loop 9:30 am

Thursday, August 27th, 2015

Thursday looks like a great for a ride day, sunshine, and a tailwind, for sure. So I would love to do one of my favorite rides for spectacular scenery! 

Farms, fields, horses, cows, mountain views, covered bridges, rivers, streams, villages, little white churches, closed papermills, etc. This ride has everything the region can offer! I wonder if any of the roads on this ride have been recently paved?? 


The full loop is 50 miles, but a really nice 30 mile option is possible out of Lancaster.  Bring a lunch to eat at the covered bridge in Groveton.


The Lost Nation Loop starts in Whitefield at the town green with the gazebo in the center. (This was our lunch stop last week.) We ride east towards Jefferson on route 116, then North Road through Grange and Lost Nation to Groveton. We then ride about 2.5 miles down Route 3 (wide shoulder) to Northumberland and cross the CT River into Guildhall, VT. We ride the VT side of the CT River on Route 102 then cross the Mt. Orne Covered Bridge just south of Lancaster. We ride almost to Dalton along the NH side of the CT River and then take route 142 back to Whitefield.

Start time: 9:30 amready to ride

Carpooling: If you want to carpool, meet at the Attitash parking lot at 8:20 am

Directions to Whitefield: Route 302 through Crawford Notch to the light at Twin Mountain four corners. Take a right onto Route 3 and follow Route 3 to the center of Whitefield, a tiny town green with a gazebo.

Parking in Whitefield: There is parking around the town green in the center of Whitefield (intersection of Routes 3, 116, 142). 

Ride Distance: 50 miles, majority of the climbing happens early in the ride, when we are still fresh.

Shorter Option:  30 miles  A shorter, easier loop can be done out of Lancaster, parking at the Shaw's Supermarket. If you want to do this version, meet at the Whitefield Gazebo with everyone else at 9:30, get the plan, then drive up to Lancaster. You will meet the 50 mile riders at the dairy farm at the corner of Lost Nation Road. You will have cut out the longest and steepest climbs. 

History ?: Lost Nation seems to always be associated with The Republic of Indian Stream, (perhaps because of the book written about this interesting region of NH?). The place called Lost Nation, where we will ride (don't blink or you may miss it...), is not geographically contained within the former Republic of Indian Stream (closer to Pittsburg)


Map:  http://www.mapmyride.com/us/deerfield-nh/lost-nation-loop-route-1539328

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Bretton Woods to Whitefield via Wing Road

Thursday, August 20th, 2015

We start at the Bretton Woods Ski Area, parking in the lot near the entrance across from the fitness center. Then head west on Route 302 straight through the lights at Twin Mountain to River Road and Wing Road (along the Ammonoosuc River) to Route 116 (a good climb or 2) to Whitefield. We can eat lunch and/or ice cream at the gazebo on the town green in Whitefield, then head out a mile on route 116 to Hazen Road. Hazen Road takes us to the small airport and wood chip power plant that goes past the entrance to the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge. There is a climb here up to Route 115 and the scenic vista, then downhill back to Route 3 and Route 302.

Total Loop from Bretton Woods parking lot: 37 miles.

Shorter, but still a loop - start at Zealand winter parking lot on the north side of route 302 for 29 miles. Look for riders passing by at about 9:30. Or park at the visitor center/tourist info gazebo at the Twin Mountain 4 corners where routes 302 and 3 cross at the light.  This will make a 25 miler. 

Let's meet at 9:00 am, ready to ride at the big parking lot across from the Bretton Woods Fitness center building. The fitness center is on your right just after you enter into the Bretton Woods Ski Area road.

Carpool? If you want to carpool, meet at Attitash in the parking lot across from the lifts at 8:10 am. 

I will back from Newfoundland in time to join in on this ride!!  Newfoundland is an amazing place to bike and hike!



Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRide

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The Basin 9:00 am

Thursday, August 13th, 2015

How about The Basin? Low traffic and if you drive there via Hurricane Mountain Road you will aviod the 302 road construction  Meet at the corner of South Chatham Road and Route 113 in North Fryeburg, alongside the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station. As you already know, please do not block the fire station parking area. Park head-in alongside the park to allow for many cars to fit in, or park parallel, off the road, along South Chatham Road or Rt 113.

The last quarter mile up to The Basin is a dirt road. I did it about a month ago and it was in good shape. If the road is a wash out, or the sun is too hot, you may want to just use the campground at the entrance as the lunch spot. There is a shady spot with picnic tables, a porta-potty and a water pump in the campground. 

The starting time, ready-to-ride will be 9:00 am.


Doing the ride starting south on 113 with a left on Fish St and left on MacNeil, it will be a 28 mile ride. Stop at the Stow Store for snacks or ice cream!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Shelbourne to Evans Notch via North Road 9:00 am

Thursday, August 6, 2015


To make the ride a bit 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, the river, horses, and a donkey that will want to join in, not a bad exchange. 

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

Some will ride up to a small bridge for a nice, easy, gradual route upriver. After the small bridge, the steeper climb to the top begins. Some will climb to the top. Either way is a spectacular ride, and you can regroup down the river at the new bridge (where Irene took out the suspension bridge) for a snack on the sunny rocks. Return to the cars by reversing the route. 

Mileage: About 32 if you do the whole ride to the top of Evans Notch, about 28 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 18 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. 

Meeting place and parking: 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.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Ammonusuc Waterfalls 8:30 am start

Thursday, July 27th, 2015

Looks like the weather will be good in the morning before the heat builds up and the thunderstorms arrive mid afternoon.

Let's do an early start to get a ride in before the heat builds up: 8:30 am ready-to-ride.

This ride is relatively short in mileage but big on scenery and attractions, and is a good work out, too. It includes panoramic Presidential views, the Cog Railroad (if we decide to climb up to the station), Upper and Lower Ammonusuc Falls. We eat snacks on the rocks next to the Lower Ammonusuc Falls.

Start at the Eisenhower Wayside Park which is on the right side of Route 302 a couple of miles after passing through Crawford Notch. We ride back up the notch to Mt Clinton Road getting that climb over while it is still cool. We could climb up to the Cog Railroad or just enjoy the downhill cruise, stopping to look at Upper Ammonusuc Falls. We then ride out to the Twin Mt 4 corners and stop to enjoy the Lower Ammonusuc Falls. As a different twist, we could ride up the Zealand Road along the river, out and back. It is paved for a short distance then is hard packed dirt. We can choose options depending on the heat and the sky.

Start:  8:30 am at the Eisenhower Wayside Park

Total distance: approximately 25 miles; with longer options.

Carpool:  Attitash parking lot, far end, 7:45 am.

Here is a map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

"Don't Yank the Crank" 9:30 am start in Bethel

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015

"Don't Yank the Crank" 

 Bethel to Bryant Pond, Maine.
 Looks like the weather will be great for a ride by the beautiful woods, farms and lakes of Maine!
This ride will take us from Bethel to Bryant Pond, the site of last hand-cranked telephone exchange in the USA. This little town is also famous for a 3-story outhouse. It also has a convenience store, a larger-than-life telephone monument and great lakeside dining.

But Wait... there's more!!!


The ride is nice and quiet, along the Androscoggin River (essentially a continuation of the North Road experience), fields, farms and forest plus shore side riding on North Lake in Locke Mills. No Notches! This will be a welcome relief from the traffic and noise around the Mt. Washington Valley in tourist season.


This ride starts out of the riverside park in Bethel -- the picnic destination on the North Road ride. The first 12 miles follows Intervale Road which parallels the Androscoggin River as it flows north towards Rumford. We turn east towards Bryant Pond, go through the village, try to find that famous outhouse, pay our respects at the Hand Crank Telephone Monument, then go to the lake for our picnic lunch. The return is by North Pond in Locke Mills, then by East Bethel Road (look for some interesting sculptures on the left), then back to the cars via Intervale Road.


The ride will start at 9:30 am at the Bethel town park on the Androscoggin River at the intersection of the bike path and Route 26 (where we always eat lunch on the North Road Ride).


Drive to Bethel via Route 2 and take a right on Bridge Street, at the flashing light (soon before crossing the bridge over the Androscoggin). Drive about 0.5 mile to the park, on the left at the stop sign.

Ride distance is 40 miles.   Ready to ride at 9:30 am!!

If you want carpool, meet at the Jackson Ski Touring/Wentworth Golf Club parking area across the street from the J-Town Deli at 8:15 am. Otherwise, see you in Bethel!




Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRide

Here is some info on Bryant Pond:
www.roadsideamerica.com/map/631
www.privateline.com/mt_telephonehistory/iv_the_telephone_evolves/07_part_g/
"Bryant Pond achieved some national fame and media attention beginning in the mid-1970s when its family-owned Bryant Pond Telephone Company became the last hand-crank telephone exchange in operation in the United States. When in 1981 the local company, operating from a two-position magneto switchboard in the living room of owners Barbara and Elden Hathaway, was purchased by the Oxford County Telephone & Telegraph Company, a nearby larger independent company. A movement called "Don't Yank The Crank" was organized by David Perham and Brad Hooper in a valiant but futile effort to keep their beloved crank phones. The effort was not ultimately successful, and the last "crank" calls took place on 11 October 1983, when a modern dial exchange was placed in service."

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

West Side Road, Passaconaway and Rocky Gorge 9:00 am

Thursday, July 16, 2016

The weather forecast for Thursday looks great for you and for those of us on the Erie Canal Trail!

This week how about the classic ride up Passaconaway and the Kanc to Rocky Gorge.

Meet at the public parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway, ready to ride at 9:00 am.

The total mileage is about 30 for the out and back. Cut it shorter by turning back at the Albany Covered Bridge for about 24 miles.  

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

North Road: Shelbourne to Bethel, 9:00 am

Thursday, July 9, 2015 

Looks like good weather for Thursday! How about heading up to Bethel via North Road? It should be a fine time to do it with good shade and no traffic. 

To make the ride a bit different, start in Shelbourne Village instead of the usual Hogan Road parking area. It cuts out some miles, cuts out a few sharp climbs at the end, and adds a nice ride on a quiet road with nice views. I have 2 house guests from CA joining us for this ride!!

Start: ready to ride at 9:00 am. 

Total Mileage, about 35. 



To get to the parking area take Route 16 north to Gorham, hang a right on Route 2, go about 4.5 miles. Take a left into Shelbourne Village, (might be signed as Meadow Road) then very shortly afterward take a right into the tiny village. Park in the playing field/ballpark on the left side of the road (via a dirt driveway).

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

The Wonalancet Loop... On New Pavement!

Thursday, July 2, 2013

Not only does the weather look good for The Wonalancet Loop, the pavement looks good , too!  In a forever search of new pavement, we have found Nirvana! What a difference it is to ride on smooth black velvet! Let's go ride it now while it is pristine! 

Distance: 30 miles

Meeting place: Parking lot at McDonald's and Tram Store (old Mt. Whitter ski tram station) located on the east side of the junction of Route 16 and route 25 in West Ossipee.
From Conway, drive south on Route 16 to the traffic light at the 16/25 junction. Go straight at the light, then turn left into the parking lot for the McDonald's and Tram Store. Park on the right side of the lot, where we will not interfere with the McDonald's customer parking.

Meeting time: Ready to ride out of the Tram parking lot at 9:00 am. From Glen it is a 27 mile drive, from Conway Village it is a 16 mile drive.

Carpool: For the Glen/Jackson folks, carpool out of the Grants parking lot at 8:00 am.
Terrain: Farms, fields, forests, mountain views, marshland, horses, goats, churches, stone walls, riverside riding, etc, etc. Part of the ride will be on the road designated as The Chinook Trial (route 113A from Tamworth to Wonalancet). Chinook was a famous sled dog: www.theheartofnewengland.com/LifeInNewEngland-Chinook-Trail.html
Some flat riding at the start, a wonderful downhill at the end, which means that in the middle there are short steep rolling hills and moderate hills that will burn calories so that you can enjoy your lunch with ice cream at the...

...Food Stop: The Other Store in Tamworth Village (at ~mile 24). Bring your own or get a nice lunch and/or ice cream here and eat at the picnic tables in the back of the store by the brook. 


Here is the ride map:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1539603

ALSO, here is info on the Saturday Ride, the 4th of July BARTLETT PARADE. This year you can BE IN THR PARADE, or can just be a spectator. Bring the family-- on bikes, in wagons, scooters! I have arranged an entry for the Bike Cub to ride, well, maybe "March" with our bikes in the parade. Check out the Bike Club website calendar for details. 

In summary, meet at the Attitash parking lot, far end away form the lifts, at 8:30 am. We will ride to Bartlett Village, taking a short detour in 2 places so that we can take a peek at the future site of the Bartlett Recreation/Bike Path! If you are bringing little kids that cannot ride the 3 miles into the village, drive into the village and park off of River Road, perhaps on the other side of the river. 

We will line up for the parade at 9:15 in the baseball field in Bartlett Village. Judging of the floats and decorations occurs here, it should be a hoot. The parade starts at 10:00. Bring the grandkids! Decorate your bikes! You or your grandkids could win that best decorated bike contest! Wear Red, White, Blue! We will have the MWV Bicycling Club Banner to carry! This parade is a gem, a small town spectacle, if you have never witnessed this, it is worth every minute. Enjoy the strawberry shortcake made by the church folks afterwards!  A lap of River Road is a good cool - down from the parade excitement, and lets 302 clear of the traffic before we return to our cars. 

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Snowville Loop, 9:00 am


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Nice day for the Snowville Loop!

Meet at the riverside park, on the right, just past the police station on East Conway Road. Drive down the entrance road to the parking and picnic area on the Saco River.

The ride goes back out to East Conway Road, then left to the stop sign, take a left onto Route 302, cross the Saco River, take a left at the lights to head towards Center Conway, then take a right onto Mill Street to ride by the beach on Conway Lake, up Brownfield Road to Hampshire St, and up the famous Asparagus Hill. This hill is the yearly test of how far you can ride up before having to jump off the bike before tipping over...

The reward is a great ride to Crystal Lake. You may be able to picnic there, but since most of us are not Eaton residents they may not let us hoodlums enter. Try the picnic tables located in the pines on the lake a short distance down 153 on the left, before the Eaton Store.

Return by Route 153 to Stark Road (right turn at a four corners. This is a nice riding road that cuts out half of route 153 and avoids Conway Village lights and traffic). When you come to the end of Stark Road, where it meets route 113, you can take a right onto Odell Hill Road, which runs parallel to route 113 for a short distance. Then you pop out back on 113 and come to the lights at Route 302 where you go left. Take the right back onto East Conway Road and right again after the police station into the park. Take a dip in the river if you like!

I will be on a hike, so I will see you all next week. I know that you all know this ride, and will help guide any newcomers!

Distance = 25 miles 


Meet at the riverside park next to the police station on East Conway Road.

Ready to Ride at 9:00 am! 

Here is a map of the ride!

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/21252684

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Franconia Notch Bike Path 9:00 am

Thursday, June 18th, 2015

Looks like we have good weather to ride the Franconia Notch Bike Path this Thursday! 
I like setting up our ride over there early in the season, before it gets too crowded. 

Meet at the Loon Ski Area parking lot, ready to ride at 9:00 am. 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 9:50-10:00. 

If you want to carpool, meet at the Attitash parking lot at 8:00 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

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

The Lupine Ride 10:00 start

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Ready to Ride at 10:00 am


The Weather: Looks good for Thursday!


The Lupine Ride:  This is Lupine Festival Week in Sugar Hill, lupines are blooming in my yard, so I presume the lupines will be blooming in Jefferson!


The Ride:  This route in Randolph and Jefferson goes by some of the best displays of panoramic scenery and lupine fields in the area. 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 (unless it was recently graded). Take your time and enjoy the view. 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 a the Jefferson hilltop general/convenience store. 


Start time: 10:00 am ready to ride in Randolph 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 or 32 miles, depending on whether we opt to ride up to Jefferson or just stay in the meadows. 


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/us/berlin-nh/durand-road-and-valley-road-route-18419892

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Bear Notch Loop: Look for the Ladyslippers 9:00 am

Thursday June 4th


The ladyslipper orchids are in bloom in the woods and by the roadsides. for the last few years they have put on quite a show on Bear Notch Road, particularly the roadside ditches near the gate on the Kanc side.

It should be a beautiful day for this ride!!

Meet at the public parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway. I suggest doing it counterclockwise, but you can take a vote!

Ready to Ride at 9:00 am

Enjoy!! Again, I will not be able to join you this week!! I will miss you all!
Stay tuned, that Franconia Notch Bike Path ride is coming soon!!!

Sunday, May 31, 2015

MondayBike Cancelled

Franconia Notch Bike Path Ride, June 1, 2015, Cancelled

When I posted the ride on the Franconia Notch Bike Path, the weather for Monday looks good.
Now it looks cold, wet and windy. NOT a good day for a ride over there, nor anywhere else!

I will post this ride again, weather dependent....


Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Attitash to the Willey House, 9:00 am ALSO: MondayBike: Franconia Notch Bike Path

Thursday, May 28, 2015

The weather forecast is a bit unstable, so I decided to do a local ride that is out and back. We can do the whole ride or bail out if need be with a mostly downhill back to the car.


Meet at the Attitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, ready to ride at 9:00 am.

The ride to the Willey House from Attitash up route 302 is about 29 miles round trip. It is not hard -- it is easier than Bear Notch Road, a gradual climb with flatter sections of relief. The ride back is marvelous. Those that want to burn some extra calories can continue 2.5 miles up the notch to the Crawford RR station, then return to meet everyone else for snacks at the picnic tables across from the Willey House.

For a shorter option, start in Bartlett Village (24 miles total) or at the parking area for the Fourth Iron Bridge (~18 miles total). Join the crowd as they ride by: ~ 9:15 at Bartlett Village, ~9:25 at Fourth Iron.


MondayBike, June 1st, 2015

Every year I like to set up a ride on the Franconia Notch Bike path early in the season, before it gets too crowded. I wanted to do it this Thursday, but the forecast is not cooperative! This ride is a hoot! Better than any Disneyland (or Story Land!) attraction!

Monday looks like really good weather to ride the Franconia Notch Bike Path! 

Meet at the Loon Ski Area parking lot ready to ride at 10:00 am

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, stopping to visit the Old Man Memorial, the Basin and the Ski Museum. We typically eat a lunch or snack on the Jefferson Overlook Bridge or back at the Cannon Mountain/Ski Museum lawn. 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.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Check for the ride posting on Wednesday

I will look carefully at the weather forecast for this Thursday and will post the ride on Wednesday. Check back on Wednesday for the info!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Basin, 10:00 start

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Let's do a spring ride to The Basin!


Meet at the corner of South Chatham Road and Route 113 in North Fryeburg, alongside the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station. As you already know, please do not block the fire station parking area. Park head-in alongside the park to allow for many cars to fit in, or park parallel, off the road, along South Chatham Road or Rt 113.


The last quarter mile up to The Basin is a dirt road, and I am not sure of its condition at this point of the season. If it is a wash out, we may want to just use the campground at the entrance as the lunch spot. There are picnic tables, porta-potty and water pump in the campground. There is another campground with water and porta potties up at The Basin.

The starting time, ready-to-ride will be 10:00 am.


Doing the ride starting south on 113 with a left on Fish St and left on MacNeil, it will be a 28 mile ride. We can stop at the Stow Store for snacks or ice cream!


See you there!! 


Saturday, May 9, 2015

Brownfield is Turning Green! 10:00 am

Thursday, May 14, 2015

This is a beautiful springtime ride!!

Meet at the Fryeburg Visitor's Center on Route 302 just over the Maine state line at 10:00 am, ready to ride.

Haleytown Road to Hampshire Road to Pig Street and back by Sam Brown Hill. Great view from the top!

The loop is 22 miles, cut it a few miles shorter if you like, bypassing Sam Brown Hill. Do a lap on the bike path when we return and add 8 fantastic miles to the day!

This is a great spring ride with nice views and good spring colors. Enjoy!  I will join you next week!!


Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Kranc Some Kanc, 10:00 am

Thursday, May 7, 2015

This is a great time of the year to Kranc Some Kanc: no traffic, rushing Swift River, great views, trees all in soft-color spring foliage splendor!

The ride goes up the Kanc to Rocky Gorge to a great picnic spot. It is a gradual climb with the rushing river by your side. Check out the newly renovated Lower Falls Scenic Area on the way up. If you want to Kranc more Kanc, ride about 3 more miles to the Bear Notch Road intersection, then return to the picnic at Rocky Gorge. The downhill return is spectacular! Ride through the Albany Covered Bridge, Passaconaway Road (gates are open), then through Conway Village (careful for traffic and car doors opening...).

Start at the Saco Ranger Station located on the Kanc just after the intersection with Route 16.

PARKING. Important... Please carpool if you can as there is not unlimited parking at the Ranger Station. Park away from their visitor center (which has bathrooms!), pack in tightly. Perhaps some could park in Conway Village to ease the burden if the Ranger Station lot fills up?  I used to suggest parking behind the Laconia Savings Bank but we ThursdayBikers overwhelmed the lot one day and someone came rushing out from the upstairs law offices to tell us that we were taking up too many spaces. I think this bank lot is a fine place to park for a few of us, but not the whole group. There are some parking spots behind the Mountain Center Physical Therapy that can be used by a few of us, but not enough for the whole crowd!  This Kanc ride is too beautiful to avoid due to parking limitations!

Let's set the start time at 10:00 so that bikers can park wherever but rendezvous at the Saco Ranger Station, ready to ride.

Distance?  To Rocky Gorge and return via Passaconaway will be about 21 miles, 27 if you tag the Bear Notch Road signpost. Should be a beautiful day for this ride!!!

Pat H. will be your ride host!!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Bike Path, Ice House Road and Menotomy Road, 9:30 am start

Thursday, April 30, 2015

APRIL came in like a lion, and might just go out out like a lamb...

Let's ride the Mountain Division Rail Trail, hopefully in warm sunshine, starting out of the parking lot of the Maine Visitor's Center located on Route 302 at the NH-ME state line. We can do the entire 4 mile trail then go through Fryeburg Village out to Icehouse Road, then out and back on Menotomy Road (which is glorious at this time of the year!).

The route is mostly flat, but Menotomy has a gentle climb, a good one for early season riding.

Meet at the Maine Visitor's Center parking lot, ready to ride at 9:30 am. The forecast suggests a temp in the mid 50"s with a brighter morning than afternoon, so let's get out in the sunshine, rather than in the snow, sleet and drizzle that we had last week on Bear Notch Road!

Distance? About 20 miles.


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Bartlett Village, River Road and Bear Notch, 10:00 am start

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Hi Everyone!! Here we go starting season #11 of ThursdayBike!

We start the season off easy, so let's meet at Attitash Ski Area in the main parking lot across the street from the ski slopes at 10:00 am, ready to ride. The forecasts seem to agree that we should have cool but dry weather for the morning.

We can do "The Usual" which is to ride out to Bartlett Village, ride out River Road, into Stillings Grant, then head back to the Village and consider Bear Notch Road. For those that want to get some climbing in, go up as far as you like! The gate is still closed, there will be snow at the higher elevations and perhaps some tree and snowmobile debris here and there. But, with no cars, we can ride around anything, enjoying the road all to ourselves. It is probably snow and ice free for the first mile, or maybe two. How far can we go? A good start for the hill climbing season!

For those that just want to stay on the flats, no problem, just head back to the cars at Attitash!

Mileage 14 - 20 miles.

Bring a snack, drink, spare tube, tools, helmet.

10:00 am meeting time, ready to ride.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

ThursdayBike Starts This Week!! Weather permitting...

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

I have put away the skis after a fantastic ski season! Now it is time for the bikes!

This week's weather forecast looks unsettled and is not easy to plan around, but I intend to set up a short, local ride to get us on our bikes again. I will study the weather forecasts carefully, and will likely set up the ride to take advantage of dry weather, so it might not be on Thursday. Check the blog for a ride if you see sunshine in the forecast!

Now is a good time to check over your bike. I know everyone cleaned their bikes really well at the end of last season and checked them over for worn tires, brake pads, chain etc., correct???  Lube the chain, pump the tires, make sure you have a spare tube, patch kit and tools in your underseat bag.

Interested in a fun, supported bike tour this summer???  Check out the "Cycle the Erie Canal Annual Bike Tour", run by the Parks and Trails New York. It is an 8 day, 400 mile ride from Buffalo to Albany, 75% on the Erie Canalway Trail, July 12-19, 2015. Drive to Albany, shuttle (provided for extra $) to Buffalo then cycle back. All the details are well described at www.ptny.org/canaltour.  A few club members did it last year, and loved it!!!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Bretton Woods Mountain Road and High Country Trails 10:00


Wednesday March 25th, 2015

Bretton Woods: Mountain Road and the High Country Trails!  10:00 am


Wednesday is supposed to warm up so the snow will eventually be soft and spring-like! Wednesday is 2-fer day at Bretton Woods. The plan is to meet at the Nordic Center at 10:00 am, take the shuttle to the alpine slope, ski the new 3K Fabyan's Fields (flat, sunny), take the lift up, ski Mountain Road to the T-bar, ride the T-bar up to the cabin, ski the High Country and Telegraph Traverse trails above the cabin, then head down Mountain Road, cross route 302 and head back to the Nordic Center. This is truly the MOST FUN XC ski routes in New England! You will need that 2-fer Nordic ticket and a special alpine ticket good for one trip up the chairlift (or your season 's pass). Both can be obtained at the Nordic Center.

Meet at the Nordic Center at 10:00 am.

If you would like to carpool, meet at the back of Grant's Supermarket parking lot (near the walk-in medical center) at 9:20 am. I already have passengers, so see you at Bretton Woods!

Monday, March 9, 2015

Try Again: 2-fer at Bretton Woods, 10:00 am


Wednesday March 11th, 2015

Bretton Woods: Mountain Road and the High Country Trails!  10:00 am

Wednesday is supposed to be really warm so the snow will be soft and spring-like! Wednesday is 2-fer day at Bretton Woods. The plan is to meet at the Nordic Center at 10:00 am, take the shuttle to the alpine slope, ski the new 3K Fabyan's Fields (flat, sunny), take the lift up, ski Mountain Road to the T-bar, ride the T-bar up to the cabin, ski the High Country and Telegraph Traverse trails above the cabin, then head down Mountain Road, cross route 302 and head back to the Nordic Center. This is truly the MOST FUN XC ski routes in New England! You will need that 2-fer Nordic ticket and a special alpine ticket good for one trip up the chairlift (or your season 's pass). Both can be obtained at the Nordic Center.

Meet at the Nordic Center at 10:00 am.

If you would like to carpool, meet at the back of Grant's Supermarket parking lot (near the walk-in medical center) at 9:20 am. I already have passengers, so see you at Bretton Woods!

Monday, March 2, 2015

WednesdaySki AND/or ThursdaySki!


Wednesday March 4th, 2015, Bretton Woods: Mountain Road

Thursday March 5th, 2015, Jackson Ski Touring: South Hall-Ellis-North Hall Loop

The ski conditions are excellent so I am posting two days of skiing. Hopefully you can join in for at least one of these epic XC ski routes!


Wednesday:

Wednesday is supposed to be warm so the snow will be soft and spring-like! Wednesday is 2-fer day at Bretton Woods. The plan is to meet at the Nordic Center at 9:30 am, take the shuttle to the alpine slope, take the lift up, ski Mountain Road to the T-bar, ride the T-bar up to the cabin, ski the trails above the cabin, then head down Mountain Road, cross route 302 and head back to the Nordic Center. This is truly one of the most fun XC ski routes in New England! You will need that 2-fer Nordic ticket and an alpine ticket for one trip up the chairlift. Both can be obtained at the Nordic Center.

Meet at the Nordic Center at 9:30 am.

If you would like to carpool, meet at the back of Grant's Supermarket parking lot (near the walk-in medical center) at 8:55 am.


Thursday, March 5

The Hall/Ellis Loop is my favorite!  Doing it as described here shortens the trip and ends it after a fun downhill.
Meet at the Jackson Ski Touring Center at 9:30 am.   We carpool up to the South Hall trailhead on Green Hill Road. Ski down The Connector to the Ellis, head north up to the Rocky Branch parking lot. Climb the North Hall and cruise down the South Hall back to the car. Total distance is 20K.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

ThursdaySki on vacation this week

Thursday, February 19th, 2015

Vacation week has required me to be a substitute instructor, so unfortunately no WednesdaySki or ThursdaySki this week.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Tour de Bartlett, try again on Thursday, February 12, 2015

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Since I was the only participant last week, I am posting this plan again for this Thursday!


This is a fun one way tour from Bear Notch Ski Touring Center to Attitash. The route follows groomed XC ski trails covered with Monday's fluffy powder. Most of the route is flat or slightly rolling. We will explore where a future Bartlett Recreation Path/Bike Path will be located! Wednesday looks sunny with temps up to 20, heat wave.

Here's the plan:

10:00 am. Meet at the Attitash parking lot, behind Matty B's, near the railroad tracks.

We will leave a car(s) here, then carpool to Bear Notch Ski Touring Center.

If you have a Kiwanis Discount Book, bring it to use the Bear Notch 2-fer coupon. I will have a few coupons for the group if needed. Bear Notch does not have a weekly 2-fer deal, we need the coupons!

We will ski up from the Center via trails 5 and 6, then cross Bear Notch Road via trail #40, zig zag on a few trails there, dropping down to the railroad tracks. We follow the tracks for a short distance, then ski on a power line trail, eventually popping out near Thorne Pond. We cross route 302, and ski along trail #50 by Thorne Pond, behind the cemetary, behind the Attitash Condo Village, emerging at the tennis courts. Here we jump in the car and return to Bear Notch to retrieve the cars and enjoy some fresh warm bread and hot soup!

This light beautiful powder is as abrasive as sandpaper on our skis. Wax up or at least use F4 or similar glide wax to get good glide!  I have some for you if needed.

Bring snacks/lunch and beverage.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Tour de Bartlett via Bear Notch Trails. 10:00 am Wednesday

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

This is a fun one way tour from Bear Notch Ski Touring Center to Attitash. The route follows groomed XC ski trails covered with Monday's fluffy powder. Most of the route is flat or slightly rolling. We will explore where a future Bartlett Recreation Path/Bike Path will be located! Wednesday looks like light snow with temps in the 20's, heat wave.

Here's the plan:

10:00 am. Meet at the Attitash parking lot, behind Matty B's, near the railroad tracks.

We will leave a car(s) here, then carpool to Bear Notch Ski Touring Center.

If you have a Kiwanis Discount Book, bring it to use the Bear Notch 2-fer coupon. I will have a few coupons for the group if needed. Bear Notch does not have a weekly 2-fer deal, we need the coupons!

We will ski up from the Center via trails 5 and 6, then cross Bear Notch Road via trail #40, zig zag on a few trails there, dropping down to the railroad tracks. We follow the tracks for a short distance, then ski on a power line trail, eventually popping out near Thorne Pond. We cross route 302, and ski along trail #50 by Thorne Pond, behind the cemetary, behind the Attitash Condo Village, emerging at the tennis courts. Here we jump in the car and return to Bear Notch to retrieve the cars and enjoy some fresh warm bread and hot soup!

This light beautiful powder is as abrasive as sandpaper on our skis. Wax up or at least use F4 or similar glide wax to get good glide!  I have some for you if needed.

Bring snacks/lunch and beverage.

Barb and I explored these trails Monday in the snow.......Winter Wonderland!!!!!


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

THURSDAYSKI at Jackson Ski Touring 10:00 am

Thursday, January 29, 2015

.........7:00 am Thursday update:  As of 7:00, the only trails NOT groomed are the North Hall and Maple Mountain Loop. When we get there at 10:00 we will get the update. If these trails are not groomed since the new snow, we can change our plan -- Prospect Farm could be the alternate.........



This winter storm may not give us the deep snow predicted, but the powdery snow is wind packed and should add beautifully to the good base we have been enjoying. Wednesday looks like post storm cold and windy, but I think Thursday will be a perfect day to XC ski on the new snow.

Let's meet in the lodge at Jackson Ski Touring Thursday morning at 10:00, ready to ski. My first choice would be to do a one way trip: North Hall, South Hall, perhaps including Maple Mountain Loop, starting from the Rocky Branch parking lot.  Perhaps this new snow will allow for a grooming up and over Popple Mountain for the first time this season.

Thursday morning grooming and trail reports will determine if this is going to be a fun option.  If this route is not perfect for skiing, we will do a plan B. I will update this blog with more trail condition info as I get it from the Jackson staff.

See you THURSDAY Morning, 10:00!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Bretton Woods on Wednesday, 10:00 am

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

With the freezing rain and rain that hit us yesterday, trails are now recovering. Skiing was surprisingly good today, better than I thought possible!

I want to try Bretton Woods on Wednesday. Rumors say that it is good in the woods, and snowmaking has patched up issues on the golf course Perimeter Trail. Let's do a circumnavigation of the area, visit the yurt and enjoy Presidential views!

Meet at the XC ski lodge at Bretton Woods at 10:00 am on Wednesday. Bring lunch, or purchase food at the cafe. Two-fer day means $10.50 per person.

Carpool?  Meet at the back of Grant's parking lot in Glen, 9:20 am.


Monday, January 12, 2015

Jackson XC East Pasture Loop 12:15 pm

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

2-fer day at JacksonXC!

Skiing is excellent, so let's meet for a ski on the East Pasture Trail. A 12k clockwise loop (slow, relaxed, plenty of rest/chat stops) will get the climb over first, then we can enjoy the nice downhill. Some may opt to do a counterclockwise out and back, meeting the rest on their trip around the loop. Most will probably be on classic skis, but join in on skate skis if you want a good workout.

The Jackson Biathalon Club will be hosting their weekly Meisters event at their Windy Hill Range, so we can watch (from a distance....!).   www.jacksonbiathalon.org

Every week I will try to pick a fun trail to ski. Since I post the plan a few days ahead, the actual conditions on ski day might require a change to an alternate trail if need be.  We will then pick the best trail of the day.

It will be a very cold morning on Wednesday, but the sun will be out and the temps rise over the morning. Therefore we will not meet too early!  Let's meet in the lodge between 11:45-12:15, 11:45 if you want to eat your lunch in the lodge or 12:15 ready to ski and load up the carpool. Let's plan to leave the touring center promptly at 12:15.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

See you next week!

Tuesday, Jan 6th, 2015

Due to weather, holidays, my Mom's broken arm and a ski clinic, I have not posted a ThursdayBike- WednesdaySki-MondaySki since before Christmas!  Yikes!

NO MORE ISSUES after this week, I hope, so I will be posting regularly starting next week. Two-fer day is Wednesday at most places, Mon and Fri at Great Glen. If all continues well with the good snow, I will pick Wednesday next week as our XC ski day.

We are so lucky to have good skiing in our area.... I am in VT skiing on a man-made 5k loop at Rikert Nordic Center. It's snowmaking (pretty good!) or DIRT over here, Wow!!

See you next week!