Tuesday, December 31, 2019

JacksonXC for the first ThrusdaySki of 2020, 10:00 am

Thursday, January 2, 2020

We will get to start the 2020 ThursdaySki Season with Snow!!  I was getting worried there for awhile!

Since most of us have JacksonXC passes, let's start the season there and ski the best trails of the day. It looks like a sunny and mild day. We will likely need some F4 to keep the skis from sticking.

Bring some snacks for enjoying on the trail.

Let's meet in the JacksonXC lodge, ready to ski at 10:00 am.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Think Snow for ThursdaySki!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Looks like we will need to wait a bit more for enough snow for ThursdayBike to morph into ThursdaySki. Last year we were skiing by now, an early treat. Let's let the base build up a it more and recover from this rain/sleet event.

Keep checking this blog and soon we will ski!

Think Snow!!

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Ride cancelled because of Snow!

Thursday, November 7, 2019

No biking tomorrow, but the good news is the snow!

Last year ThursdayBike became ThursdaySki on November 14th. Maybe next week we will ski?

Think Snow.


Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Halloween Ride Cancelled

Thursday, October 31, 2019

With predicted rain and winds, it is not going to be a biking day. Ride cancelled.

I will post a Tuesday Dirt and Pavement Ride and a ThursdayBike ride for next week if the weather permits!

Enjoy the day to catch up on the indoor chores.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Haleytown Road and Cruising Brownfield. 10:30 am

Thursday, October 24, 2019

The weather forecast looks good for Thursday!

This is a good ride for a sunny cold day. It covers almost all of the pleasant biking roads in Brownfield, Maine. Starting out of the Maine Visitor's Center, the ride goes south into the sun on Haleytown Road, then turns left on Hampshire and goes into the village of Brownfield, bearing left onto Main Street, Route 160. Head out to do the climb of Lord's Hill if you like, or return by Pig Street for some nice flat riding. Heading back on 160 and then Hampshire, bear left on good pavement towards Sam Brown's Hill for more good views. The bridge on the downhill side of Sam Brown's Hill may be still under construction, if so, turn back from the summit and return to Haleytown via a nice downhill.

Start at the Maine Visitor's Center on Route 302, just over the border in Fryeburg, Maine.

Ready to ride at 10:30 am

Distance 30 miles. Many shorter options are possible!

Add 8 more miles by riding the bike path from the Visitor's Center out and back.

Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30577803

Monday, October 14, 2019

Ride cancelled due to predicted wet weather

Thursday, October 17, 2019

I am doubtful about the weather for a ride this Thursday. Looks like even if it does not rain, it will be cool and wet from a good amount of rain from the overnight storm.

10 cyclists are doing the Cross NH Adventure Trail end to end over 3 days starting on Tuesday. We finish on Thursday riding from Gorham to Bethel via the Presidential Rail Trail, Hogan Road and North Road. The forecast looked like rain for Thursday but more recent forecasts suggest most of the rain will be overnight and Thursday will be cloudy and might have only some occasional rain. This might be just fine for the determined group that is earning the celebratory end-to-end embroidered patch, but it may not be great for those of you who want to enjoy a fall foliage ride in the sunshine! Since everyone in the group has done North Road many times, we can still earn our patches if we decide that is too wet to ride to Bethel after riding Hogan Road, and we might bail out right there.

So, see you at the Bike Club party at The Red Parka on Thursday evening!


Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Fall Color at The Basin. 10:00 am

Thursday, October 9, 2019

How about The Basin Ride, It should be a good ride to see the fall foliage! There are lots of leaf-peepers out there driving oddly, but this ride is typically quiet even in this busy season. 

Meet in North Fryeburg at the corner of South Chatham Road and Route 113, alongside the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station. As you already know, please do not block the fire station parking area. No bathroom facilities here, use the porta-potty at the little white church at the corner of Fish Street.

Start, Ready to Ride, at 10:00 am

Head to Fish Street, perhaps, to enjoy new pavement and do MacNeil, then out on Union Hill and Meadow to the Stow Store. Bring a lunch and/or snacks or you can pick up food at the Stow Store. You can picnic and refill water bottles at the Basin Campground. 

Heading back will be a good ride, a few uphills, but mostly downhill, hope for a tailwind.

The little white church might have their fall version of the red hot dog roast... they told me they might continue but with hot soup. The festivities might be in their new hall, across the street from the church. Check it out on your way back!

Total mileage: 28,   This ride allows for many options to shorten or lengthen the ride and choice of route to get from place to place. 

Rob Henney will be your host this week! Enjoy the ride!

Here is a map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30519118





Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Fall Colors in the Jefferson Valley 10:00 am

Thursday, October 3, 2019

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 roads and no big climbing. 

Valley Road has excellent views. It also had a dirt section for the road for about 1.8 miles. It has been in good shape this season but one never knows what it will be for this Thursday. Bring a gravel grinder or hybrid if you want to fly right through this section with a smile. Having a bike with wider tires also allows you the option of returning to your car using the Presidential Rail Trail... a terrific alternative, a gem!!

Start time: 10:00 am ready to ride 


Bring lunch or snacks. 


Meet at the parking lot on the west (Randolph) 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 9:15 am.

Ride length: 28 miles, with a 22 mile option if you don't ride the route 115-115A triangle and just go to the campground on Israel River Road. 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 path up to Route 2. Ride about 1.5 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 raircar home and cemeteries to the dairy farm in the Jefferson Valley. If Whipple Road's packed dirt is in good shape, we can ride it to Route 116 and make a loop through Jefferson.  Return to the Israel River valley, stop at the campground for lunch. The store there might be closed on Thursday, but we could use the picnic tables there, or eat by the pond next to the campground. Head back by Valley Road then choose either Route 2, Durand Road or the Rail Trail 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. F you want a dirt road driving adventure, 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 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 near the rail trail on the right.


For a map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/18419892


Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Apples Acres Ride, 10:00 am

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Dave and Connie attempted the Apples Acres Ride 2 weeks ago and it was rained out. So lets try it again!  Dave and Connie, the originators of this great ride, will be your hosts!


They have modified the route to avoid the bad pavement on River Road and instead give you a nice loop around Spec Ponds.

The Apple Acres store is open and selling apples, organic peaches, cider donuts, coffee, ice cream and plenty of other treats. 

Distance is about 35 miles. 


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


To drive there from the Conway area take Route 302 to the Maine border and take a right onto Haleytown Road. Take a left onto Hampshire Road towards Brownfield Center. Bear left at the Y junction with Route 160. The community center will be at about 0.7 mile on your right. It is approximately 30 minutes from North Conway Village, about 45 minutes from Glen.


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





Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Effingham/Province Lake/Ossipee Loop 10:00 am

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Dave Sias will share one of his favorite rides with us this Thursday. He hosted this ride last year, and it is a good one, and different from our usual repertoire. There is new pavement on this ride... must be done!!!

Be Ready to Ride at 10:00 am at the parking lot at the boat launch just south of the junction of Routes 153 and 25 in Freedom. This is about a 50 minute drive from Beautiful Downtown Glen, 25 minutes form Conway Village.

(Also, see below for info on the Fall Foliage Bike Tour on the Cross NH Adventure Trail)

Here is the description from Dave:


Effingham/Province was Lake/Ossipee Loop

This ride goes south on Rte 153, from Rte 25,  through Effingham, Center Effingham, South Effingham and around Province Lake with a short stretch in Maine.  The quaint historic area in Effingham is a treat and home to the location of the first Normal School in New Hampshire.  A little over a mile past Province Lake the route turns Northwest on Pickpocket Road with some nice views and travels on Granite Road and Rte 171 over to Ossippee, after crossing Rte 16.  Heading back on Rte 28 we cross Rte 16 again and turn right onto Elm St. after a very short stretch on Rte 16. Then a left turn onto Green Mtn Road at Pine River takes us back to Rte 25 and a one mile stretch on Rt 25 back to the start, 29 miles total.  While mostly relatively flat, there is a 1/2 mile climb at 2 miles and a 3/4 mile climb at 10 miles just past Province Lake.  On Pickpocket there are three very short but steep "rollers" on the first part of that road.

Start point is the boat launching ramp parking area on Rte 153 just 100 yards south of Rte 25.  Park on the left on pavement or on the right on the grass.

Here is the map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/new

If you want to Carpool: 

From Glen: Meet at 8:20 at the back end of the Grant's supermarket parking lot

From Conway: Meet at the State Liquor Store Plaza, southern end parking area near the closed IGA and bank, 8:50.


Join in on the......
Fall Foliage Tour on the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail!

Right after Columbus Day:  Tues, Wed, Thurs, October 15, 16, 17.

The spring version was a fun 3 day ride across NH from Woodsville to Bethel, ME. Here is the Fall Foliage Version. 

It is the same plan... start in Woodsville, ride to Littleton on Day 1 (22 miles, mostly rail trail and dirt roads). Overnight at the Littleton Motel right on Main St. Next day ride to Gorham and enjoy the panoramic Presidential Range views (35 miles half dirt half pavement. Stay overnight at Hub North in the lodge or Glamp in a bell tent or yurt. Day 3 is Gorham to Bethel (26 miles, dirt adventure and then paved on North Road. 

There is a truck to transport your gear and provide support on the way. 

A bike with wider tires is required. A road bike will not be fun!  A mountain bike will work, but might be tedious on the pavement. A wide slick tire on your mountain bike will work well. Contact me if you have questions!!

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

The Apple Acres Ride, 10:00 am

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Dave and Connie created the Apples Acres Ride a few years ago and everyone loves it!  Who better to host it than the originators??? Yes, Dave and Connie will be your hosts!


The store is open and selling apples, organic peaches, cider donuts, coffee, ice cream and plenty of other treats. 

Start the ride from the Brownfield Community Center, head to Route 160 via Pig Street. At about 10 miles, turn left on Tripptown Road, across from a cemetery, then left on Durgintown Rd. These back roads are shady, scenic, quiet biking gems. Stop at Apple Acres for the view and some snacks, then continue downhill and turn left on scenic River Road to Hiram. The 4-Corners Store has reopened so perhaps you may want to take a short side trip there for snacks and chocolate milk. Return by a short sprint on Route 113/5 then left on Notch Road (but, no notch to climb) and then back onto Route 160 back to Brownfield.

Distance is about 35 miles. 


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


To drive there from the Conway area take Route 302 to the Maine border and take a right onto Haleytown Road. Take a left onto Hampshire Road towards Brownfield Center. Bear left at the Y junction with Route 160. The community center will be at about 0.7 mile on your right. It is approximately 30 minutes from North Conway Village, about 45 minutes from Glen.


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


Here is the map:  https
://ridewithgps.com/routes/13096250

Monday, September 2, 2019

The Andover Ride. 10:00 am

Thursday, September 3, 2019
Looks like Thursday will be a good day for a scenic ride along the rivers and fields of western Maine!
Dave and Connie will host the ride for you this week.

The route to Andover from Bethel is a gem, a ThursdayBike favorite, worth the drive to Bethel. It is an extension of the North Road ride! It is a beautiful route on quiet roads. It is not a hard ride, only some short grinder hills on Intervale Road in the first 10 miles (and last 10 miles). The remainder of the ride is pleasantly gentle and scenic.

Start at little Davis Park on the Androscoggin River in Bethel 
(where we picnic at the end of the North Road ride) and go north on Intervale Road to where it ends at Route 232 in Rumford Corner.  Take a left and cross the Androscoggin River on the new bridge. A very short ride on Route 2 then right on Whippoorwill Road to Andover Road and eventually into the center of Andover where there is a great general store and perfect town green with gazebo for lunching.

Return south on Route 5 for a short distance, then cross the Lovejoy Covered Bridge (Maine's shortest covered bridge) then retrace the route back to the cars.

Total distance: 49 miles   (a short out and back on the bike path and you get a 50 miler)


Lunch: The Andover General Store is a good food and ice cream stop located across the park and gazebo. Fresh made English Muffins can be obtained at the Little Red Hen Diner and Cafe.

Starting Time10:00 am Ready To Ride from Davis Park at the end of the bike path in Bethel on Route 26 (our usual lunch stop with picnic tables, porta-potties and playground).

Parking: There are not a lot of parking spaces at the riverside park. If the lot is full, park near the convenience store/DunkinDonuts on Route 2 where the bike path crosses the Androscoggin River, or at the Bethel Chamber of Commerce.
Carpool: If you want to carpool, meet in Jackson at the parking lot across from the J-Town Deli at 8:45 am, otherwise, meet Dave and Connie in Bethel! 

Shorter Options:  

Park along the edge of Intervale Road, north of our starting point. You can cut out up to 16 miles this way (it is 8 miles to the intersection with East Bethel Road, located on the right off of Intervale Road where the cows are), and avoid the 2 hills at the very end of the ride!  Meet with everyone else at the park at 10:00, then drive up a ways, park, hop on your bike and join the group as we ride by! 

To see a map of the ride click the link:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/9696224

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Denmark, Hiram and Cornish; 9:30 am

Thursday, August 28, 2019

This ThursdayBIke will have Ellin as your host. She has chosen a good ride starting out of Brownfield at the Recreation Center. 

Here is what she says:

"How about a Cornish ride? I love starting at the Brownfield Rec Center to Route 160, Lords Hill, Rocky Knoll, Denmark monument, Route 113, left on River and into Cornish , then to the Route 160 ice cream stop and back to Brownfield! No scary dogs or picnic table police! What do you think? 🚴‍♀️"

She also says that there are many options for this ride, it can be shortened if need be.

Meet at the Brownfield Community Center on Route 160, Main Street, ready to ride at 9:30 am. 

This is a fun ride and a good workout, too!  I am sorry to miss this ride, but I am riding south of here with a visiting friend. 

Distance:  35 miles

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13074871

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The Basin, 9:30 am

Thursday, August 22, 2019

How about The Basin Ride, It should be a good ride, not too hot. There is so much traffic in the valley in mid to late August....but this ride is typically quiet even in the busy season. 

Meet in North Fryeburg at the corner of South Chatham Road and Route 113, alongside the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station. As you already know, please do not block the fire station parking area. No bathroom facilities here, use the porta-potty at the little white church at the corner of Fish Street.

There has been some bridge/culvert construction work right next to the fire station, so you might have to park along South Chatham Road or on the side of the road opposite the fire station. 

Also, note that Route 302 near the Maine Visitor's Center is all dug up and busy with construction, so drive over to North Fryeburg by Hurricane Mountain Road or East Conway Road.

Start, Ready to Ride, at 9:30 am

Head to Fish Street first to enjoy new pavement and do MacNeil, then out on Union Hill and Meadow to the Stow Store. Bring a lunch and/or snacks. You can pick up food at the Stow Store. You can picnic and refill water bottles at the Basin Campground. 

Heading back will be a good ride, a few uphills, but mostly downhill, hope for a tailwind.

It's Red Hot Dog Thursday at the little white church, so stop by on the way back for a Red Dog and/or a Whoopie Pie.

Total mileage: 28,   This ride allows for many options to shorten or lengthen the ride and choice of route to get from place to place. 

Ellin will host the ride this week!  Enjoy!

Here is a map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30519118




Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Presidential Views from Bretton Woods to Jefferson. 9:00 am

Thursday August 15, 2019

This ride celebrates the beauty of the Presidential Range and the great views from Bretton Woods, Twin Mountain and the Jefferson Valley. This ride has some long gradual climbs, but nothing too serious. The weather looks good for the ride and the views!

Meet at the Bretton Woods Ski Area. Park in the big lot across from the out-of-business fitness center, which is on the right just after you turn off Route 302 into the Bretton Woods Ski Area entrance.

Meet at 9:00 am, ready to ride.

The route will head out onto 302 west to Twin Mountain on brand new pavement, and takes right onto Route 3. Another right onto Route 115 for a gradual up and then over to the scenic vista, overlooking Pondicherry and the Jefferson Range. We continue on a great downhill all the way to a left onto Israel's River Road. We will head up to the village of Jefferson to the general store/gas station where there is food, ice cream and a grassy park to picnic. We then return to Route 115A, head back up to the Scenic Vista and return to Bretton Woods.

Total distance is 39 miles. To shorten the route to 30 miles you could park at the tourist info center with the gazebo and cog railway locomotive in Twin Mountain at the junction of Route 302 and Route 3 and join in as the riders pass by, maybe around 9:20-ish. We will look for you as we ride by.

Bring water and snacks. We can get more at the general store in Jefferson or at the Israel River Campground. IN contracts to most o four rides, the majority of this ride is out in the open and in the sunshine, be sure to use sunscreen!

If you want to carpool, meet at the far end of the Attitash ski area parking lot at 8:15 am, otherwise, see you at Bretton Woods.

map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27844638

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Ride Cancelled due to unsettled weather and chance of t-storms

Thursday, August 8, 2019

I am not going to fight the forecast this time, I am giving up and just canceling the ride. There are mixed forecasts, it seems like we could get out there but then take a chance on the rain and storms. I will just go nuts if the morning turns out OK.

After such an amazing stretch of good weather, I think it is OK to take a day or 2 off to attack the laundry pile and ignored paperwork.

Last week's ride up/back, Route 102 on the VT side of the CT river was "Best Day Ever" (of course, quoted by Ellin).

I have no photos from the ride (? must have spent too much time trying to keep up! Did anyone get some photos to share?), but I do want to share some from the Mt Washington Century. The MWV Bicycling Club hosted the best rest stop on the route (once again, well organized by Frank). The greeters with sleigh bells and teacher's bells along with the home baked treats were the best!





Our local DJ, WMWV, 93.5, enjoyed the rest stop, too. Note the bib number that he was given!







Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Lancaster to DeBanvile's Store via Vermont Route 102. 9:30 am start

Thursday, August 1, 2019


One of the ThursdayBike Group's favorite places places to ride is the Vermont side of the Connecticut River. Vermont Route 102 is a quiet rural road that is very scenic, no traffic, plenty of Holstein cows along the way. ...very Vermont.The weather looks good for us, sunny and no chance of rain, not too hot  Let's take advantage of this great forecast and head to Vermont!This ride follows VT Route 102, starting from Lancaster, heading north to DeBanville's General Store. This store had been closed for a few years, but it reopened 2 years ago. We can get food and ice cream there for lunch. 

Ride Starts: 9:30, ready to ride, from the parking lot of Shaw's Supermarket in Lancaster, on the right side of Route 3 North, just north of the town center. 

Carpool if you like: Meet in the Attitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, 8:10 am. Otherwise see you in Lancaster.

Terrain: Lots of flat and some very gradual ups and downs, a few short rolling hills requiring some work; no Asparagus Hill, no notches. Generally a slight uphill on the way out, downhill with a tail wind, of course, on the way back.

How far: 49 miles. See map below. (If you just have to get that 50 mile ride in for your record books - just continue up Route 102 from DeBanville's until your odometer says 25.00 then turn back!!)

Shorter Option? Drive up a bit further up Route 3 north and cross the CT River via the bridge into Guildhall, VT and start from there. Park alongside the Town Green (bear right after you cross the bridge, then make a left alongside the green). This will take 18 miles off and give you a pleasant 31 mile ride. 

Directions: It is a one hour drive to the Shaws Supermarket from the traffic light in Glen. From there it is an equivalent driving time to go up PInkham Notch to Route 2 OR to go Route 302 to Twin Mountain and Route 3.From Glen, using Route 302, head out past Attitash to Bretton Woods and continue to the Twin Mountain  4-corners stoplight. Take a right onto Route 3 north. Follow Route 3 though Whitefield, then continue on Route 3 into Lancaster. Shaw's Supermarket is on the right, approximately 0.5 mile north of the center of Lancaster on Route 3. It is across the street from Dunkin Donuts. Park at the part of the lot closest to the road, furthest from the store entrance. Bathroom in Shaws or at Dunkin's.

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13189233

Photos from last week's ride to the top of Evans Notch from Shelburne:




Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Evans Notch from Shelburne. 10:00 am

Thursday, July 25, 2019

This is a good ride for a nice sunny day!

The ride starts at the park in Shelburne, NH in the tChester Hayes Memorial Park, goes over RR tracks and the Androscoggin River to North Road, takes a right turn at the triangle and then out about 5 miles to the iron bridge, crosses the river again and goes to Route 2. We turn 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 suspension bridge for a snack or lunch on the rocks, riverside. 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 10:00 am in Shelburne Village. 
If you want to start at the iron bridge, look for riders coming across it at about 10:30. 

Meeting place and parking: Start from Shelburne Village, in the Chester Hayes Memorial Park, 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. Take a left into the park and park on the left off the dirt pathway on the grass.  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 9:00 am.


Here is a map:   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28223686


Mark Your Calendars!  The Town of Shelburne is celebrating its 250th Anniversary with a full weekend of activities. Included will be live music, dancing in the street, parade, pot lucks, tag sales, historical presentations, house tours, etc., and also guided hikes and bike rides. ThursdayBike and the Spin on Sundays groups will be hosts for the bike rides, which are on Sunday, August 11th. One ride will be Shelburne to Bethel (9:30 am), another, shorter ride, will be Shelburne to the suspension bridge over the Wild River (9:30 am). There will also be an even shorter family-friendly ride (12:00 noon).

For more info:
https://www.townofshelburnenh.com







Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Haleytown Road and the roads of Brownfield. 9:00 am

Thursday, July 18, 2019

The weather forecast looks good for Thursday!

This is a good ride for a nice day. It covers almost all of the pleasant biking roads in Brownfield, Maine. Starting out of the Maine Visitor's Center, the ride goes south on Haleytown Road, then turns left on Hampshire and goes into the village of Brownfield, bearing left onto Main Street, Route 160. Cross Route 5, staying on Route 160,  and cross the Saco River. Bear left to go up Lord's Hill Road, enjoy some views, enjoy the downhill, then right onto Rocky Knoll where you will do a few short but energetic hills. Return by Route 160 and then Pig Street for some nice flat riding.  Heading back on 160 and then Hampshire, bear left on good pavement to Sam Brown's Hill for more good views. The bridge on the downhill side of Sam Browns Hill may be still under construction, if, so turn back from the summit and return to Haleytown via a nice downhill.

Start at the Maine Visitor's Center on Route 302, just over the border in Fryeburg, Maine.

Ready to ride at 9:00 am

Distance 30 miles. Many shorter options are possible!

Add 8 more miles by riding the bike path from the Visitor's Center out and back.

Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30577803

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

The Basin. 9:00 am

Thursday, July 11, 2019

The weather forecast looks good. I delayed in posting because I wanted to confirm that the thunderstorms would be arriving late in the afternoon and would not be a bother to us.

Lets do The Basin ride, it should be a good morning ride, not too hot. We can return before the temperature goes up to much.

Let's meet in North Fryeburg at the corner of South Chatham Road and Route 113, alongside the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station. As you already know, please do not block the fire station parking area. No bathroom facilities here, use the porta-potty at the little white church at the corner of Fish Street.

Start, Ready to Ride, at 9:00 am

We can head to Fish Street first and do MacNeil, then out on Union Hill and Meadow to the Stow Store. Bring a lunch and/or snacks. You can pick up food at the Stow Store. We can picnic and refill water bottles at the Basin Campground. 

Heading back will be a good ride, a few uphills, but mostly downhill, hope for a tailwind.

Total mileage: 28,   This ride allows for many options to shorten or lengthen the ride and choice of route to get from place to place. 



Here is a map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30519118



Monday, July 1, 2019

Bartlett 4th of July Parade: Muster at Attitash, 9:40 am

Thursday, July 4th, 2019

ThursdayBike is on the 4th of July this year. With so much traffic in the valley, there is no Big Ride, just this traditional Small Marching/Coasting in the parade with lots of laughs.

Bring your kids and grandkids! We will have 3 generations of cyclists marching with the bike club this year! Therefore we are entering the judging contest. We will need to be judged before 10:15am.

If you cannot be there that early, just bike over there in time to line up for the parade no later than 10:50. Parade starts at 11:00. The line-up occurs in the baseball field on Route 302, west of the post office, west of the rr tracks.

Information on the BARTLETT 4th of July Parade, marching with the Bicycling Club Banner:  Same routine as in the past:

If you have never been to the Bartlett 4th of July Parade, it is worth a trip. What a hoot!! It drips with small town charm. Lots of fire trucks (bring ear plugs...), old cars and "floats" pulled by lawn mowers. Politicians and Miss Mt. Washington Valleys in tiaras perched in convertibles. It starts at 11:00. This is a big deal --- they actually close Route 302 for this event, causing a huge 4th of July Traffic Jam of confused, surprised and cranky tourists (and locals). But the show must go on! 

Best way to see this spectacle is by bike. Meet at the Attitash parking lot at 9:40 am, ready to ride, at the far west end of the lot, away from the lifts, in the shade. We can ride over to Bartlett Village before Route 302 turns into a linear parking lot of annoyed drivers. After the parade, get a bowl full of strawberry shortcake made by the church ladies and gents, hot dogs prepared by the cub scouts or ice cream from Trail's End. After the festivities, you could do some miles on River Road, if you like.

By then the traffic should clear for returning to our cars at Attitash. 

Meet at 9:40 am, ready to ride at Attitash. I have some red white and blue bling for decoration if you need it.  You cannot dress up silly enough. Try for the red, white and blue for your bike and/or for you. We will need to bike over there to be judged, cut off for the judging is 10:15 am.

Here are a few prime examples for you to attempt to emulate:












Wednesday, June 26, 2019

North Road to Bethel 9:30 am

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Looks like good summer weather for Thursday, maybe some t-storms coming in the afternoon. A 9:30 start should work for this and hopefully avoid any issues. North Road is a gem, and should be beautiful with all the lush greenery and wildflowers n bloom.

Meet at the North Road starting point, in the parking area at the intersection of North Road and Hogan Road, north of the dam. Get there by driving north on Route 16 to Gorham, take a right onto Route 2, go about 3 miles looking for the big beautiful stone house on the left.  After the stone house, take a left onto North Road. Cross the Androscoggin River at the dam and head up a short distance. Where the road bears hard right, you go left into the parking area on the dirt Hogan Road.

Although there are 10 riders doing the Cross NH Adventure Trail this week, we will be finishing on Thursday on North Road, so we will see you out there!


Ready to Ride at 9:30 am.

Bring a lunch or snacks to enjoy at the riverside park in Bethel.

Total distance: About 39 miles

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13189960


Hi from the oldest general store in the USA, "the Brick Store" in Bath:




Crossing the suspension bridge over the Ammonoosuc River, in light rain, in Littleton. The rain poured down later for cocktail hour, not a problem!



Monday, June 24, 2019

Lupines are in peak bloom!


If you are in need of a beautiful bike ride, the lupines are in full bloom in the Randolph-Jefferson-Whitefield area!  Valley Road is spectacular! Head up there while they are in peak season!





Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Cancelled

Thursday, June 20, 2019

I am gun-shy on setting up a ride after last week's cold weather and pedaling hard to get back before too wet and hypothermia.

The forecasts indicate some rain early, then clouds, but more rain coming in either at 11:00 or at 2:00.

I give up. I am cancelling the ride this weekend hoping for a change in this weekly conundrum!

BETTER WEATHER STARTS NEXT WEEK!!


Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Bear Notch Road, out and back form Attitash. 9:00 am

Thursday, June 13, 2019

After looking at all the forecasts on TV and online, tomorrow's weather should be OK for a morning ride. Rain could come in by 1:00, or 2, or 3, plus or minus.

Maybe a close to home ride, get in some exercise and chat. Let's start at Attitash, the far end of the parking lot. We ride to Bartlett Village, then go up Bear Notch Road to the top. Return back down, and do Bartlett Village and Stillings Grant. For a shorter ride, climb up as far as you like, then return earlier and do Stillings Grant.

Meet: Attitash parking lot, far end, 9:00 am.

Mileage? Rather short, but this way we won't get wet. 16 miles or maybe 20, short and sweet!


Wednesday, June 5, 2019

West Side Road Passaconaway and Kanc. 11:00 am

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Looks like the weather will probably clear up in the morning. I think by 11:00 the sun might start to show up, if the forecasts are correct.

I am posting the local default ride, because it is hard to be sure of the weather. If it does look nice, then there is a ride to do!

I cannot join in tomorrow, I am in Concord for a meeting.....

Meet at 11:00 am, ready to ride, public parking lot behind the Eastern Slope Inn.

Head out the usual West Side Road to Passaconaway, to the covered bridge or as far up the Kanc as you want to go!


Here we are at DiCocoa's in Bethel last week!

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Maybe a ride on Thursday

Thursday, June 6, 2019

The weather forecasts are again a challenge. It might work for a ride on Thursday, but I will need to study the forecasts tomorrow to see if any consensus is reached.

I wanted to do the ride on the Franconia Notch Bike Path, starting at the Loon Mt. Ski Area, but typically I want really good weather for that ride.

Check back on Wednesday evening to see what the weather allows us to do!



Last Thursday at DiCocoa's in Bethel:




On the Bethel Pathway:




Wednesday, May 29, 2019

North Road, Shelburne to Bethel, 10:00 am

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Looks like reasonable weather for Thursday, clouds with chance of sunshine. The temperature will be 60 degrees at the start but will warm to 70 as we ride along. Light breeze from the south, not as issue for the east-west ride. This is a fine day, as compared to some, recently.

Let's check the springtime green and flowering trees and fields on North Road. If you have never done North Road....it is an absolute bikers paradise, a real gem. -- It runs parallel to Route 2 on the north side of the Androscoggin River - the traffic stays on Route 2, good place for it. 

Let's start this time in Shelburne Village instead of the usual Hogan Road parking area. It cuts out some miles, cuts out a few sharp climbs at the very end, and adds a nice ride on a quiet road with nice views. Good for the early season. The Shelburne Town Officials are glad to have us there!! 

Start: Ready to ride at 10:00 am. 

Total Mileage: about 35. 

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

Bring lunch to enjoy at the riverside park in Bethel. There is a convenience store just before the park, if needed.

Carpool?  If you want to carpool, meet in Jackson at the parking lot across the street from the J-Town deli at 9:10 am, otherwise, see you in Shelburne.

Map:   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30119451



NEWS FLASH:

EARLY NOTICE: The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail Ride, End-to End!

June 25-27, Tue-Wed-Thur

Ride on the first and only official border-to-border bike route in the State of New Hampshire. The ride traverses the northern flanks of the White Mountains following the Ammonoosuc River on rail trail, dirt roads and paved backroads from Woodsville to Littleton. Paved roads, a dirt rail trail in the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge, the lupine fields and Presidential Range views of Valley Road, and the Presidential Rail trail take us to Gorham. More rail trail and the scenic but interesting Hogan Road brings us to North Road and then onto pavement to Bethel.

Check it out:  www.crossnewhampshire.org

To do this route easily and leisurely (with time to enjoy being a tourist in our own area...likely seeing and enjoying places never noticed before), we will ride 3 days, the first is the shortest mileage (about 22) due to shuttling. Day 2 is 35 miles, Day 3 is 29 miles. First night's lodging is in a motel on the Main Street in Littleton with a movie option at the local theater and dinner out at a brewery, second night will be at Hub North (a lodge totally revolving around cyclists!) in Gorham with an eat-in dinner there.

Dates are going to be Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, June 25, 26, 27. I am choosing these dates so that we can enjoy sunshine and good weather (right??), plus the lupine and the wildflowers should be blooming along the way, hopefully the bugs will be diminishing. 

I am arranging lodgings, shuttles and dining options, and now need to get an approximation of how many are interested. Gear will be shuttled, you don't need to use panniers to transport your wardrobe. 

What bike to ride? The better questions is probably: "What tires to ride on?"  The name of the route contains the word "Adventure" because this route is a combination of paved backroads, dirt roads, rail trails, rec paths. Some of this is smooth as silk, some dirt roads are smoother and nicer riding than pavement, some sections of rail trail are smooth and fast, some not.  Tires matter here. Skinny road bike  tires will be tedious on the soft and crunchy stuff and unstable in some places, rugged mountain bike knobbies will be tedious and draggy on the paved roads. A hybrid or gravel bike with wider tires would be good. If you are concerned about not having the right bike for this adventure, contact me. There are good, light, fast, wide, slick tires (made by Compass:https://www.renehersecycles.com/compass-tires/) that can be put on your mountain bike for happiness on ALL surfaces. There are also few bikes in the stable that are available to borrow. Contact Tom and me for the way to shoe your steed for this event.

Please let me know if you are interested or considering joining in. There are 3 confirmed riders already!
Stay tuned for more info!


Enticements: 

Ride ANY PART of the xNHAT and get a sticker: (you will get one for this Thursday's North Road ride!!)




For you special BORDER TO BORDER riders... you get the special prize...the Embroidered Patch:






Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Fryeburg Farmlands Tour... from the Maine Visitors Center: 10:00 am

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Mostly Sunny, mid to high 60's, 6 mph breeze. OK!!  Looks GOOD! Let's go!!

Let's enjoy the brilliant spring green in all of the farms and fields of Fryeburg. I have not seen the new foals at the draft horse farm yet, so let's include Cornshop Road to see them. We can bike all the way to the Stow Store for an early season ice cream.

Start at the Maine Visitor's Center and ride part of the bike path then up Rt 113 to Cornshop, Fish, Union Hill (beware of dog, we will proceed here as a wary growling group) and over to the Stow Store, returning by 113 or Green Hill Road, choose either one. This lollipop-shaped loop can give us 31 miles of rather flat riding, relatively. It can be less if you like, you could meet the group at the Weston's Beach and have a 27 miler.

Meet: Fryeburg, Maine Visitor's Center on the border between NH and ME, on Route 302.

Time: Ready to Ride at 10:00 am

Time: for Weston's Beach starters: 10:15 am

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13070790


Hey...That's the Tuesday Dirt and Pavement Ride Group from yesterday. We are at Rollo Falls just off of the Presidential Rail Trail near the Bowman parking lot (Castle Trail parking). We fought the headwinds and the schizophrenic weather day (Sprinkles - Sunshine, repeat all day) to be be rewarded with downhill and a tailwind all the way home. We look overdressed for late May biking.






Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Haleytown Road and Brownfield Loop 10:00 am

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Looks like a good day to ride, the forecast seems to be cooperative!  

How about the Brownfield Loop -- it has options for long or short versions that you can choose from, no big climbs, just relatively short hills for good health. Pleasant roads to ride. 

Meet: Maine Visitor's Center, Fryeburg. It is on the right, just over the NH-ME border on Route 302.

Time: Ready to ride at 10:00 am

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 you return and add 8 miles to the day.
I look forward to riding this route as springtime slowly appears in the forests and farms!

Here is a map:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29994655






Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Fields of North Fryeburg: 10:00 am

Thursday, May 9, 2019

It should be a good day, cloudy but mild, for a scenic, easy ride in the North Fryeburg-Chatham-Stow area. 

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 status of the corn, potato, soybean and turf fields. Is there a new family of foals at the draft horse farm?

The route starts south on Route 113 to Cornshop, then Route 5, Fish, McNeil, Harbor, Union Hill, Meadow, the Stow Store and, if you like some extra miles, the Chatham Loop. 

Basic ride to Stow Store: 21 miles. Add the Chatham Loop: 28 miles total.

If you want to carpool to North Fryeburg, meet at Grant's parking lot at 9:15. Otherwise, see you in North Fryeburg!  Rob will be your gracious host!

Note that Hurricane Mountain Road is still closed.