Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Waiting for Snow..

Thursday, December 1, 2016

With the damp and windy forecast it just does not look like a good bike day. The salted and sanded roads are not great for the shiny parts. So, no bike, and no XC Ski either. That 'tweener season...

Stay tuned for next week!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Brownfield ride with Adventure Option...10:00 am

Thursday November 17th, 2016

This warmer than average November weather is allowing for consistently enjoyable ThursdayBiking!!

I would like to take advantage of this weather and offer a ride that would be new, different and an adventure (meaning there might be some walking involved....)

There are 2 options, for either one, meet at the Maine Visitor's Center in Fryeburg (just over the border on Route 302) at 10:00 am, ready to ride.

Option #1: The Traditional One:

This is the Brownfield Loop, up Haleytown then left into Brownfield, turn right onto Pig, then off to Sam Brown's Hill.  This is 23 miles.

Option #2: The Adventure:

This is a favorite loop that I enjoy, however it includes some dirt roads along with pavement, so it adds some adventure. It is a very fun, scenic loop!

It starts out just as described above...Haleytown to Brownfield, then instead of turing back onto Pig Street at the Route 5 intersection, this ride continues across Route 5, across the Saco River, out on Lord's Hill Road where we take a LEFT at the end (typically we take a right here and ride up those hills back to Route 160). This left turn winds us around and then turns to dirt roads that are typically solid -- cars use them. The route ends up on Denmark Road that eventually crosses Route 302 and heads over the Hemlock Covered Bridge. There might be some softer dirt here in spots, might need to walk the bike a bit. It is sunny there alongside the farm fields.

We ride alongside the Old Saco River, down Frog Alley, (paved) then cross Route 5 and back onto a dirt road (River Road) alongside the turf fields and end up in North Fryeburg on MacNeil Road. Ride back to the Visitors Center on pavement. A 36 mile loop. Once done with Haleytown Road and Lord's Hill Road, the route (particularly the dirt part) is Fryeburg-Farm-Fields-FLAT.

Here is the map, note that for this Thursday's ride I eliminated the part that includes the bike path and the airport area dirt roads to accommodate riders that do not want any dirt:
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/north-conway-nh/dirt-and-pavement-north-fryeburg-mountai-route-152370317

If you have a bike that has a bit wider tires or cyclocross tires, or a hybrid for this loop you will likely enjoy it more. A mountain bike could work but might be sluggish on the pavement, pump the tires up more.

Option #3:

Ride out to Lord's Hill Road with the dirt road rider(s), then turn back the minute you see the dirt road looming up ahead, adds 7 miles.


Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Autumn Fields of North Fyreburg, 10:00 am

Thursday, November 10th, 2016

Looks like a sunny day this Thursday with high temps in the upper 40's. Not bad for November!! A casual ride in the fields of North Fryeburg in the sunshine should be good!

Start 10:00 am, ready to ride, next to the North Fryeburg Fire Station at the corner of Route 113 and South Chatham Road.  The ride will check out the autumn status of the cornfields and turf farms, the horses, sheep, cows and chickens, the winterberries in the wetlands and the nice views of the mountains.  The route heads to MacNeil via Harbor, then Fish to Rt 5 to Cornshop, then back to Fish via 113, and MacNeil, then Union Hill, Meadow, the Stow Store. 

Basic ride to Stow Store: 23 miles. Add the Chatham Loop: 30 miles total. 


How about a hike on Monday, Nov 14th? 
Come celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new xc ski trails at Jackson Ski Touring at 10:00 am, Rocky Branch Parking Lot off of Route 16, just north of the old Dana Place Inn. Afterwards walk with me from the Rocky Branch all the way back to Jackson via old and new trails (new Kellogg, Hall, new Hall-Maple Connector, new Keeney Trail, then back from Grey's Field via Ellis) for a 9 mile walk. There will be muddy areas, the footing is good except for some rocky spots on the North Hall). Bring hiking boots, lunch and water. 
Meet me at the parking area across the street from the J-Town Deli in Jackson Village at 9:40 for carpooling/car shuttle.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Looks Like Rain on Thursday

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Looks like a washout for ThursdayBike this week. I am not sad because we really need this rain.

Overall, we have had an amazing season of ThursdayBike so far, hardly any cancellations due to weather!  According to my records, I see only 3 cancellations: March 23, April 5, May 4!! We have ridden every Thursday since May 12th!! Amazing success!! 5.5 months of ThursdayBike!!

As November and December roll in, cancellations are not unexpected, and a good bike day is considered a treat!

I will continue to post Thursday rides as the weather permits. Keep checking. If there is an exceptionally good day forecasted, even if it is not a Thursday, I might post a ride just to enjoy the weather and get in some more miles before the skis come out.

Once the snow falls, check this blog for ThursdaySKI!  (XC Ski adventures in the MWV and beyond)