Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Explore the NEW Jackson Ski Touring Trails...by Mountain Bike (or walk!) 10:00 am

Thursday October 27th, 2016

It looks like a better day for hiking and mountain biking than to be on the road. High temps in the low 40's. clouding up as the day goes on and some rain/snow coming in the afternoon.

Let's try something different...

Jackson Ski Touring has a few new trails and new bridges in the Ellis-Hall area. Let's head out on mountain bikes to check out some of the new stuff!  There may be some walking involved, so wear shoes that you can walk in also.

Meet in the parking lot across from the J-Town Deli ready to ride at 10:00 am.

We will then head out onto Green Hill Road, turning right into the Ellis River Trail. We will ride the 2 deluxe new bridges located on the Ellis, one before and one after the Cocoa Cabin. We can ride up to Grey's Field and up the Wifferdil, up the Hall to the Scenic Vista and down the new Kinney Trail. Some walk-a-bike might be required to get up some of the steeper spots or through softer areas that we do not want to rut up.

With temperatures in the low 40's, it will be a warm day on the trail as compared to when we ski here in mid-winter. The trees will provide a good wind block.

Bring a snack. We will get out of there before any precipitation, maybe head to the J-Town for a hot cuppa afterwards.

You are welcome to come even you don't have a mountain bike - walking is OK, too! I have a plan for hikers to meet riders up on the Hall at the Scenic Vista (site of the new Kinney trailhead!). For sure I will be walking with you up that hill on the Hall!
After meeting everyone at the J-Town at 10:00, hikers can carpool up and park at the Hall Trailhead gate at the top of Green Hill Road. You can meet the bikers on the Kinney Trail and walk back downhill to the Ellis. I will drive you back up to your cars at the end of the adventure.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Let's try: West Side Road, Passaconaway and Rocky Gorge 10:00 am

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Looks like a ride tomorrow might be possible..... Half of the weather forecasts indicate a good ride before the rain, the other half show on and off showers starting in the morning. I am going to go on the optimistic side and set up a ride. Look out the window in the morning, listen to the forecast and decide whether to head out or not!! Don't come if there is wet roads, wet leaves and drizzle!

Meet at the public parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway at 10:00 am, ready to ride.

We could do West Side Road to Conway Village then up the Kanc. We can go as far up the Kanc as we dare depending on the weather.  Return by Passaconaway Road and West Side Road. This would be about 28 miles. It is easily shortened if the weather turns wet!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Connie's Wednesday Cornish Ride; wait and see for Thursday

Thursday, October 20th, 2016

Check back on Wednesday evening for a Thursday ride plan. At present the weather looks a bit wet for Thursday, but I don't trust it and I will post a ride to fit into the weather forecast if possible.


In the mean time, Connie has invited all to join in tomorrow, WEDNESDAY the 19th, to do the Cornish ride in good weather! Here is her information for the ride:


"Wednesday is supposed to be beautiful, and we thought we would do a ride that hasn't been included in the group ride series. This is a 35 mile ride starting in Brownfield at the Community Center and riding through Denmark, down Rt. 117 to Hiram and across the River Road to Cornish. We can stop in the park for lunch. Then we ride out of town on the South Hiram road to Rt 160 back to Brownfield. We should be in Brownfield, ready to ride at 10:00. I don't have an official list, so pass this along to anyone else who may be interested in joining us."

WEDNESDAY:  Brownfield Community Center, 10:00 am, ready to ride!

Thanks Connie!

Check back for a Thursday ride if the weather cooperates!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Fall Colors in the Jefferson Valley 10:00 am start

Thursday, October 13, 2016


The colors are out, so here is a bike ride that I think provides a great fall foliage panoramas. This is a fall version of The Lupine Ride, with great views of the Presidentials, Wambek and Cherry Mountain. It is an easier ride than most, lots of flat, scenic roads and no big climbing. 
The weather looks good in the north, no morning issues, a mix of clouds and sun, no rain expected until after 5:00 pm. Temps at the start will be low 50's, waring to mid 60's mid day. 

Start time: 10:00 am ready to ride. 


Bring lunch or snacks. we will likely lunch at the general store in Jefferson. 


Meet at the parking lot on the west (Randolph) end of Pinkham B Road at the rail trail crossing. 


Carpool: If you want to carpool, meet at the Jackson Ski Touring/Wentworth Golf Club parking area across from the J-Town Deli at 9:15 am.

Ride length: 28 miles, 34 miles if we add the Jefferson loop. 

Route description: Cross Route 2 over to Durand Road. Ride it all the way up to the end of the dead end and walk the grass path up to Route 2. Ride about 2 miles and take a left onto Valley Road. Ride out Valley to Route 115. Take a left and ride up to the intersection with Cherry Mountain Road (on left) and Route 115A (on right). For something different and more views, take a LEFT onto Cherry Mountain Road. Ride out and back, soak up the views on the flat road, turn back where the road goes uphill. Return to Route 115, cross over it onto Route 115A and ride this out past the railcar home and cemeteries to the dairy farm in the Jefferson Valley. If we want, we can ride up to the general store in Jefferson by either the dirt Whipple Road or up on the nicely paved route 115A. Return to the Israel River valley, Head back by Valley Road then choose either Route 2 or Durand Road for the smiling downhill back to Pinkham B. 

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, near a public works facility. 

Two ways to drive there:  Dirt road:  Access Pinkham B road from the Dolly Copp Campground/Horton Center 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 left at the intersection towards Berlin and then take a left on Route 2 at the traffic light. Go up the big hill and down the other side. Just as the hill flattens, Pinkham B Road will be on your left. Take the left and drive about 0.5 mile to the parking area on the right next to the rail trail.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Apple Acres Ride 10:00 am start

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

Thursday looks like a great day for a bike ride!!

Dave and Connie created this ride a few years ago and everyone loved it!  It should be a beautiful ride this week, especially now with the fall foliage, and it is, of course, apple season!

Start the ride from the Brownfield Community Center, head to Route 160 via Pig Street, turn left on Tripptown Road, left on Durgintown Rd. Stop at Apple Acres for the view, the ice cream and the apples, maybe cider? Continue downhill and turn left on scenic River Rd to Hiram.  Take a right onto Route 117 and ride to the Obelisk in the center of Denmark. Take a left onto Route 160 and head back to the Community Center.

Ready to Ride at 10:00 am.

Distance is about 35 miles. 

Dave and Connie with be the hosts for this ride.

Meet at the Brownfield Community Center, ready to ride at 10:00 am. 

To drive there from the Conway area and avoid any Fryeburg Fair traffic, take Route 302 to Center Conway and take a right onto Mill Street to go by the northeast edge of Conway Lake. Continue into Maine and take a left onto Hampshire. Bear left at the Y junction with Route 160, then the community center will be a short distance on your right. 

Carpool if you like, from the back of Grant's parking lot, 9:00 am. 

For the map, check www.ridewithgps.com. The ride is called "Apple Acres and Denmark Obelisk Loop".