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!!!