ThursdayBike Season #17 is Completed

 Hi ThursdayBikers!

The ThursdayBike 2020 season is now done. The weather is getting colder and the virus issues are getting hotter. Let's plan to get back on our bikes for Thursday rides in the spring of 2021. Hopefully the Covid-19 cases will have diminished by then.

I am really glad that we were able to enjoy so many Thursdays this year exploring our favorite roads together on our bikes! There was the challenge of Covid-19 always present, but being outdoors and distanced, we were able to safely enjoy biking, catching up with friends and those end-of-ride celebratory cookies crafted by Ellin.

For ThursdaySki... when the snow is good, check this blog for possible xc ski adventures. Again, Covid-19 challenges will dictate whether it is safe for us to gather socially distanced together for xc skiing. 

Stay safe and be extra careful during the challenging weeks ahead. 

See you on the snow!

Day off tomorrow.

 Thursday November 12, 2020

It is likely that we have all been biking every day for over a week, using up every bit of this amazingly warm and pleasant November weather. The weather will not be bad tomorrow, but cloudy and cool, maybe damp from some overnight rain. This weather forecast is just not as inspiring as what has driven us cheerfully outside lately.

I am not going to post a ride this week, I certainly can use the day off to catch up on everything left behind due to the weather being SOOO nice for over a week!

Lets see what happens for next week. 45 degrees and cloudy might be enticing!

Last Northern Ride of the Season: North Road to Bethel and Paradise 10:00am

Thursday, November 5, 2020 

Looks like mild weather for an early November Thursday! Wow! Heat wave! How about one more ride up north over the notches? The weather will allow it this week, another gift to cyclists. Until ThursdaySki takes over, the next Thursday rides will likely have a more southerly location to try to keep a bit warmer.

I have not done North Road without being enveloped in the spring/summer green or fall colors of the dense, leafy canopy. It is likely an entirely different experience now with the leaves down.

Start in Shelburne Village. This cuts out 5 miles (round trip) of North Road at the start, so we can add 5 miles in Bethel to do the aptly named Paradise Road loop for, well, some Paradise.

Start: Ready to ride at 10:00 am. 

Meet at the Chester Hayes Memorial Park in Shelburne Village. The Park Porta Potty was provided until Nov 1st, probably not there, so, prudent to pick an alternate plan.

Total Mileage, about 40. 

If you don't want to do the extra loop to Paradise, you can relax and chat in the sunshine at the Bethel Davis Park and cut out 5 miles of biking.

To get to the Shelburne Village park, 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 about a mile before the park, if needed.

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34575677

Weather or Not? I think Not.

 Thursday, October 29, 2020

Over the past weeks we have had some really nice weather for ThursdayBike. This Thursday's forecast is cloudy with morning temperatures about 40, rising up to mid 40's, then rain coming in in the afternoon. If it was going to be sunny, I would be enthusiastic.

I think it best to just cancel and stay warm and dry, prepare for next week, if it is good weather for a bike ride, or, maybe we can start ThursdaySki?

Cheers!

Upper Connecticut River Ride to Colebrook and Pittsburg 9:30 am

 Thursday, October 22, 2020 

Ready to Ride in Bloomfield, VT at 9:30 am

The weather forecast for Thursday looks like another October gift, high 50's and mostly sunny, light tailwind.  Let's take advantage of the weather to fit in a ride we have not done yet this year....The VT side of the CT River up to Colebrook and Pittsburg.  This ride is my favorite ride in NH (one of many)!  I am happy that the weather will allow for this ride to happen! This is a fantastic ride and we can get some miles in while we still can. Ride alongside the Connecticut River, farm fields, cows, horses, 2 waterfalls, 2 covered bridges, panoramic views, cross the 45th parallel! History too: "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. The ride is lollipop shaped, gently going up the CT River to lunch in Pittsburg, NH. It then turns south climbing "an interesting hill" followed by a 20 mile mostly downhill reward back to the car. It has been labeled by a friend from the midwest as a "Disneyland E-Ticket". See the photo on the right?? Ride through Colebrook on the way back, stop at the coffee and pastry shop, 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 a relatively easy 58, easier than many 40 milers we have done!! The climb is a unique challenge. This is the ride to log your longest mileage of the season, perhaps?

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. 

FOOD: Bring lunch and snacks. There may be NO options along the way.  Every time we travel through Pittsburg and Colebrook there seems to be yet another closure of a restaurant, general store or bakery.

Ready to ride in Bloomfield at 9:30 am.

If you want to Carpool, meet at the far end of the Attitash parking lot at 7:45 am. According to the map app, it should be a 1.5 hour drive. It is worth it.

Directions to the start: Route 302 to Twin Mountain four corners, 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 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.   There is an attractive outhouse in the woods near the parking lot. 

The map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13191847

For info on The Republic of Indian Stream check these:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Indian_Stream

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

The Andover Ride 9:30 am

Thursday, October 15, 2020

WooHoo, looks like Thursday's weather will be a mid October gift!  Let's take advantage of it and do the Andover Ride. 

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 wham,  you get a 50 miler)

Lunch: The Andover General Store is a good food and ice cream stop located across the park and gazebo. 

Starting Time: 9:30 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/Dunkin Donuts 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 8:15 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 (almost exact, the one below has an extra 2 miles that are not included in Thursday's ride) click the link:

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/25168624

Ride Cancelled due to temperature and wind

Thursday, October 8, 2020

I have checked and rechecked the weather forecasts for this Thursday, and just finally decided to give up. The forecasts don't seem to be getting more enticing for a ride.  It will be in the mid 40's, mix of sun and clouds and windy. I think that this just might not quite be good enough for a fun ride. I think it is the wind gusts that would be the issue, and wind chill factor.

It this were March, we would all be running out the door to ski in 42-45 degree weather, t-shirt skiing weather. But, I am not cold acclimated yet, so I think tomorrow's weather forecast breaks the rule of "Pick 2 of 3: Temperature, Sunshine, Wind". Two of these 3 parameters must be favorable for a good bike ride. (i.e. a cold day with bright sunshine and no wind would be OK!) I think tomorrow's forecast indicates 3 of 3 might not work in our favor.

If next Thursday is good, I will hope to post The Andover Ride!

Frog Alley and Hemlock Covered Bridge Dirt and Pavement Loop. 9:30 am

Thursday, October 1, 2020

FROG ALLEY AND HEMLOCK COVERED BRIDGE LOOP   9:30 AM

I think the foliage should be peak for this Grand Tour of Fryeburg, Brownfield and Denmark with the Grand Finale of Hemlock Covered Bridge and Frog Alley on the old course of the Saco River.  There might even be some water in the river, after this rain! This is a great ride. The first half of the ride is almost all paved, the second half is almost all dirt roads.

The route will include good pavement, pretty-good pavement, bike path, good dirt roads, farm roads, a covered bridge and great views. We will likely ride in the golden tunnel of the fall foliage. Today's rain will help to keep the dust down. 

This is a really flat ride as compared to our usual adventures: 915 ft elevation gain in 38 miles!

Yes, it has been done using a road bike, BUT you will certainly like the dirt roads more on wider tires. A mountain bike will work but you will enjoy the pavement more on less knobby tires. I suggest a gravel grinder, all-road or hybrid style bike for bliss. 

We start at the Saco Valley Fire Station in North Fryeburg, same as usual, and bike south on 113 to Fryeburg Village. We get on the bike path for a short bit and end up near the airport and follow some nice dirt roads in the tress, then onto Haleytown Road and into Brownfield. After a short easy hill, we end up on dirt roads in Denmark that take us back to North Fryeburg. We will go over the Hemlock Covered Bridge, then Frog Alley along the Old Saco River. Farm roads along the turf fields return us to North Fryeburg. We emerge from the dirt roads onto Old River Road at the junction with McNeil, then about a mile back to the cars via Harbor Road.

Total Distance: 38 miles.

Meet: 9:30 am at the park next to the fire station, ready to ride.

Where: Parking area along the park next to the Saco Valley Fire Station in North Fryeburg, on the corner of Route 113 and South Chatham Road.

Bring water, snacks and/or lunch to eat - a good lunch spot is at the Hemlock Covered Bridge.

Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28784962

Vermont Side of the Connecticut River, Lancaster to DeBanville's General Store 9:00 am

Thursday September 24, 2020

One of the ThursdayBike Group's favorite places is the Vermont side of the Connecticut River. Vermont Route 102 is a quiet rural road that is very scenic, plenty of Holstein cows along the way. ...very Vermont. The fall foliage is in process!

This ride follows the southern section of VT102, starting from Lancaster and ending at DeBanville's General Store in Bloomfield, VT. We can get food and ice cream at the lunch stop, but bring some food to have on the bike, just in case.

Weather: Looks good! Warm sunny fall day!

Ride Starts: 9:00, 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. Drive about an hour to Lancaster from the traffic light in Glen.

Carpool if you like: Meet in the Atttitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, 7:50 am. Otherwise see you in Lancaster.

Terrain: Lots of flat and some very gradual ups and downs, a couple of rolling hills requiring some work.

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 good 31 mile ride. 

Directions: Take Route 302 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.

Bring: Snacks and water. 

Map:

http://www.mapmyride.com/us/northumberland-nh/vermont-side-of-the-ct-river-lancaster-t-route-1499744

Apple Acres Ride 9:30 am

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Dave and Connie created the Apples Acres Ride many years ago and everyone loves it!  It is Apple season, so it seems like the place to go!

The store is open and selling apples, organic peaches, cider donuts, coffee, ice cream and plenty of other treats. Plan for your Second Breakfast there.

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  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.

*If River Road is not in good shape to ride, we can opt to return via Hiram and Route 160.

Distance is about 35 miles. 

Meet at the Brownfield Community Center, ready to ride at 9:30 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.

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

I was going to post the VT Side of the CT River Ride, but held off due to the weather forecast for clouds and a possible rain shower mid day over there. Here, looks good for the weather, so lets do the VT side of the CT NEXT week.

Rob Brook Road Loop 9:00 am

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Frank has offered to host the ride for you today!

Last week Frank and Gail did this ride and enjoyed it... they are willing to share it with you on Thursday!

The ride starts on Bear Notch Road, the Kanc side, at the parking area for Rob Brook Road. As you drive up Bear Notch Road from the Kanc side, it is about 3/4 mile up on the left. 

Here is the info from Frank:

"Meet at the Rob Brook Trailhead at 9 AM. We will be riding the Rob Brook Road from there.  This is a fire road that goes from here thru to the Kanc.  The terrain is up and down and winding much like the UST cross country trail at Jackson ski touring.  Non of the hills are steep, many “Gail” hills; the down hill takes you right up the next hill.  There are some sandy spots on Rob Brook Road.  So gravel or mountain bikes are best."

It is a 12 mile loop. Ready to Ride at 9:00 am.

There is a water crossing over the Swift River. With the drought, it should be low enough for an easy crossing. Wear shoes that are OK to get wet, or carry some water shoes or sandals for the crossing to keep your fine stylish Italian leather bike shoes dry!

For those that want more, meet at the Bartlett side of Bear Notch Road, at the parking lot on the left just before the gate area. Ride up Bear Notch Road, down the other side and meet the group at Rob Brook Road. I would guess that if you left from the Bartlett side at 8:00 you would easily be at Rob Brook Road in time to enjoy some chatting and then depart on the dirt road ride. You will add about 17 miles, round trip, doing Bear Notch Road from Bartlett to get to the start of the Rob Brook dirt road ride.

Jump, Dam, Milan and Dummer 10:00 am

 Thursday, September 3, 2020

Edith and Bob reminded me about this ride. They did it last week and enjoyed it without any traffic! It is a Dirt and Pavement Ride.

The ride is based on a ride that Joan Kelly had set up for the Fat Tire Cruisers Group a bunch of years ago, It is a good one! For this version we will lengthen it a bit to include the Nansen Ski Jump, up close and personal. The ride will head over to the east side of the Androscoggin River through Milan and Dummer. It heads to the Pontook Dam on some dirt roads, along the power canal and past the hydro power station. We then take a loop on a quiet dirt road with nice views, a moderate climb and a nice downhill. Some of these dirt roads might be rough, opt for a mountain bike, gravel bike or hybrid or wider tires; a skinny tire road bike will not like the rough spots.

Meet at the Nansen Wayside Park on Route 16, north of the center of Berlin, ready to ride at 10:00 am. This is a riverside park and boat launch on the right side of Route 16 JUST BEFORE the Nansen Ski Jump. There may not be a sign for the park, it is a dirt road that is a "soft" right turn off of Route 16.

To get there: Take Route 16 north through Berlin, continue through the residential area and past the Northland Dairy Bar. Just as the shoulder of Route 16 widens, and just before the Nansen Ski Jump, the entrance to the Nansen Wayside Park will be on your right.

Set your odometer to zero as you pass the Northland Dairy Bar (ice cream!) which is on the right after leaving the center of Berlin. The entrance to the Nansen Wayside Park is 2.6 miles north of the Northand Dairy.

You drive in on the dirt entrance road to the park, shortly the road bears right into the parking lot at the boat launch. If you pass the entrance to the park, turn back at the Nansen Ski Jump and look for the dirt road on the east side of Route 16. 

It is a 50 minute drive from Glen.

Ready to Ride at 10:00.

If you want to carpool, meet at the JacksonXC-Wentworth Golf Course parking lot across from the J-Town Deli at 9:00 am, otherwise see you at the Nansen Wayside Park.

Total ride distance: about 22 miles

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33986943

Evans Notch From Shelburne. 9:30 am

Thursday August 26, 2020

This should be a good ride for getting out of town and away from the end-of-August traffic. The weather looks cool and crisp, like an early fall day. 

The ride starts at the park in Shelburne, NH in the Chester 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 in Gilead, 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 the 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 parking area in Shelburne 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 in Gilead for a really nice 18 mile ride. 

Time:  Ready to ride at 9:30 am in Shelburne Village. I think the extra half hour might help to warm up above 50 degrees. 

If you want to start at the iron bridge, look for riders coming across it at about 10:00. 

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 quick left into the park and park on the left off of the dirt pathway on the grass.  Porta potty in the park, complete with TP, sanitizer, mirror and cup holder, WooHoo.

If you want to carpool, meet in Jackson, in the parking lot across the street from the J-Town Deli at 8:40 am.

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

Maine Visitor's Center to the Fryeburg Fields 9:00am

Thursday August 20, 2020

At this point in the summer season, it is hard to find a local ride that is free of tourist traffic. The rides out of the Maine Visitor's Center are typically good choices in this busy season. The Brownfield ride has been popular, lately, so how about a different ride out of the Visitor's Center? This one goes north on Route 113 up to Cornshop and Fish Street, you can do to the Stow Store or just return via Harbor and 113. 

Start at the Maine Visitor's Center and ride part of the bike path to Fryeburg Village then up Rt 113 to Cornshop, over to Fish, MacNeil. You can go to the Stow Store via Union Hill or just return via Harbor and 113 or Green Hill Road, choose either one. This lollipop-shaped loop can provide 31 miles of relatively flat riding. 

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

I cannot join you this week....I am the support crew for Madeleine Ryan, who is the first to RUN the 83 mile Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail this week. She finishes on Friday in Bethel!

Time: Ready to Ride at 9:00 am

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

The Basin 9:00 am

 Thursday, August 13, 2020

How about The Basin Ride, It should be a good ride, not TOO hot on Thursday. There is a lot of 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. If it looks too crowded, another place to park is in the parking area along the fence at the little white church on the corner of Fish St. I have not seen a porta potty out there this season, so plan accordingly...

Start, Ready to Ride, at 9:00 am

Head to Fish Street first to enjoy good 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 always was Red Hot Dog Thursday at the little white church, but I don't know if this is happening this year due to the Covid-19 issues.

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. 

If you want a longer ride, start at the Maine Visitors Center to add a total of 18 more miles (9 miles each way), for a total of 46 relatively easy miles. If you start riding from the visitors center at 8:00 or 8:15 you should easily meet the group at the Fire Station or at the little white church as we turn onto Fish street to head to MacNeil. 

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

Lost Nation Loop: 50 or 27 miles 9:00 am

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Thursday will be beautiful weather, typical after a tropical storm system passes through.

Farms, fields, horses, cows, mountain views, 2 covered bridges, rivers, streams, villages, little white churches, closed papermills, Vermont and New Hampshire scenery. This ride has everything the region can offer! 

The full loop is 50 miles, but there is an excellent 27 mile option that avoids most of the climbs.  This is a nice 50, the climbing is in the first part of the ride.

I will host the 27 mile version.

EVERYONE should meet in Whitefield at 9:00 am, whether you do the 50 or 27 miler. The 27's will then drive 10 minutes to Lancaster and start from there. 

The 50 Miler: The Lost Nation Loop starts in Whitefield at the town green with the gazebo in the center. Ride east towards Jefferson on Route 116, then North Road through Grange and Lost Nation (tiny white church) 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 long 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. This riverside cruising downstream from Groveton is superb biking!

Shorter Option:  27 miles  A shorter, easier loop with less elevation gain 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 9:00, get the plan, then drive up to Lancaster. We will meet the 50 mile riders at the big dairy farm at the corner of Grange Road. You will have cut out the longest and steepest climbs.

Bring a lunch to eat at the white covered bridge in Groveton. Bring plenty of water. There is a convenience store/gas station near the covered bridge that is hopefully still open for water refills and snacks.

Meet time: 9:00 am.  ALL riders meet in Whitefield at the gazebo.

Carpooling: If you want to carpool, meet at the Attitash parking lot at 7:50 am, otherwise, see you in Whitefield.

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. 50 minute drive from beautiful downtown Glen.

Parking in Whitefield: There is parking around the town green in the center of Whitefield (intersection of Routes 3, 116, 142). There is a large parking lot behind the gas station that works well. Avoid the 2-hour limit parking spaces.

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? Lost Nation, by Jeffrey Lent). 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, which is closer to Pittsburg. On the Pittsburg/Colebrook bike ride we travel over the rivers that bounded the Republic of Indian Stream, which was the Lost Nation, but this is well north of where the village of "Lost Nation" is on a map. I have not been able to remedy this inconsistency!
For a history of The Republic of Indian Steam here is a short review: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Indian_Stream



Map, 50 mile ride:
From Whitefield: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28020766

Elevation profile:





Map: Shorter version, 27 miles, from Lancaster:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13191276

Elevation profile:

Jefferson and Randolph, Valley Views 9:00 am

Thursday, July 30, 2020


This is a summer version of The Lupine Ride, with great views of the Presidentials, Wambek and Cherry Mountain. It is also a section of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail that is likely the most scenic, if you have never done this ride, you will be happily surprised at how beautiful it is!

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. Bring a gravel grinder or hybrid or mountain bike if you want to fly right through this section with a smile. Having a bike with wider tires also allows you to return to your car using the Presidential Rail Trail, a gem! I would encourage you to bring the wider tires, lead the skinny ones at home.

Start time: 9:00 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 near the public works building. 9:00 am start.

Carpool: Meet at the Jackson Ski Touring/Wentworth Golf Club parking area across the street from the J-Town Deli at 8:10 am.

Ride length: 28 miles. Add 4 more if we decide to head into Pondicherry to the viewing platform. It is 34 miles if we decide to 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. We can go into Pondicherry or go up to Jefferson, we can decide there.  Head back by Valley Road then choose 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. 

Drive route 16 to Gorham, follow it left at the intersection 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

Bear Notch Road and Experimental Forest 9:00 am

Thursday, July 23rd

It appears that the weather will be OK for a bike ride in the morning. Some rain and thunderstorms are due in the afternoon. So let's get out for a ride, close to home with escape options if the weather comes in earlier than predicted.

It the weather comes in MUCH earlier than predicted, I might have to cancel the ride, so check in with this blog site if you are seeing rain closing in on our area in the morning.

Meet at the Thorne Pond parking lot (across from the Attitash Bear Peak Parking lot) on Route 302. We will bike into Bartlett Village for a warm up, then take our time heading up Bear Notch Road on NEW PAVEMENT. Going at your own pace, nice and steady, will spread us out at the appropriate Bicycling Distancing.

Once to the top you have two options for the downhill.

1.  Take the road back down and enjoy the new pavement.

2.  If you bring your gravel , hybrid or All Road bike, we will descend on the dirt roads of the Experimental Forest. Perhaps you have xc skied these roads on a ThursdaySki last year .You will recognize some parts of the road systems if you xc ski at the Bear Notch Ski Touring Center.

Let's meet at 9:00 am, ready to ride. This ride is relatively short, likely no more than 18 miles, but it is a good workout!

Lamoille Valley Rail Trail 9:30 am

Thursday, July 16, 2020

The eastern end of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail runs about 17 miles from St. Johnsbury to Joe's Pond in Danville. It is part of a project that is patching together pieces of the rail line to eventually establish the longest continuous rail trail in New England, stretching about 100 miles across Vermont from St. Johnsbury to St. Albans.

The surface is hard packed smooth stone dust. There are tunnels and bridges, lots of forest, good views of the Vermont hillsides and some lakeside biking. Dan's Pond is a good place for a swim. When we have done the trail in the past there were bikers, pedestrians, dog walkers, and horses out enjoying the trail. The weather forecast looks perfect for this out-of-the-valley-experience. Escape from the local traffic!!

The surface is fine for most bikes. Skinny tired road bikes have been used on this trail,  only a few soft spots located at a few road crossings need some care. If you have a hybrid or bike with wider tires, a mountain bike, all will be fine on this trail.  The trail climbs gradually all the way to Joe's Pond. The downhill trip back is a hoot!

Check out the website:  www.lvrt.org

Round trip we will have a 34 mile car-free adventure!

Time:  Ready to ride at the Lamoille Valley Rail Trailhead at 9:30 am. It is about 1 hour 15 minute drive. No porta-potty at the trailhead, so stop at the Welcome to Vermont Visitor's Center on the right side of Route 93 soon after you cross the CT River.

Carpool? If you like, meet at Attitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, at 8:00 am to carpool, otherwise, meet at the trailhead in St Johnsbury.

Bring snacks and/or lunch or stop at the General Store. Maybe the food truck at Joe's Pond will be there. We can eat at picnic tables on the beach at Joe's Pond. Bring swim clothes if you like.

Directions:

Take Route 302 over Crawford Notch towards Bethlehem and get onto Route 93 north to Vermont. At the Route 91 interchange, go north on 91 for a very short distance, hardly off the entrance ramp. Take this first exit, Exit 20, 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. It is a very quick succession of right, right, right, right. The map app says it is a 1 hour 15 minutes drive.

A fun group on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, back when we could be socially close!!

North Road to Wild River, a dirt and pavement ride with an all-pavement option. 9:00 am

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

I am still trying to establish a way to comfortably run Tuesday and Thursday rides in this new virus-threatened world.

For now, I will dive in and start by setting up a ThursdayBike this week. To make the ride amenable to distancing and smaller groups, or "pods", I will set it up as mainly a Dirt and Pavement Ride, with an option for an all-road ride. This way the group can meet and ride together (physically distanced of course) for awhile then split up.

Let's see how this works. (?). I will use this first attempt at a ride and will talk with riders about their interest in attending Tuesday's and Thursday's rides.  I will see what the attendance is, and I will observe how physical distancing works for group rides.

You have two options: I will lead the Dirt and Pavement Ride, North Road to Evans Notch Road then to the DIRT, scenic Wild River Road. It is an out and back ride. Meet at 9:00 am in Shelburne.

Tom Sweeney will lead the All-Pavement Ride, North Road to Evans Notch Road, paved and scenic to the top of Evans Notch, also an out and back ride. Meet at 9:00 am in Shelburne.


Here are the details:

North Road from Shelburne to the Wild River Road

Wild River Road is a really nice dirt road that goes alongside the Wild River in Evans Notch. It leads to a campground. It is a scenic gradual uphill at river grade, easy. We did this ride early in June last year and enjoyed lunch on the rocks in the river. Looks like the weather may allow us to dine in the sunshine on the rocks again!

The ride starts in Shelburne Village, NH, at the Chester Hayes Memorial Park. We head to North Road and go to the iron bridge over the Androscoggin River. Ride over the bridge and stop for a nice river view. Continue to Route 2, take a right and after a short distance, turn left onto Route 113 (new pavement last year!), the road to Evans Notch. This is a beautiful ride along the Wild River. After 3.3 miles, you will take a right onto a dirt road, Wild River Road, that leads 5 miles to a backcountry campground. Ride this out and back.  Lunch break on the rocks in the sunshine.

Distance: About 30 miles. 20 miles on pavement and 10 miles on a good dirt road.

Time: Meet at the park in Shelburne ready to ride at 9:00 am.

Bike: A mountain bike will be OK, but a Hybrid, All-Road or Gravel Grinder is better due to the 20 miles on pavement. A road bike with wider tires can work also.

For skinny tires, do the:

ALL-PAVEMENT RIDE:  Bike up Evans Notch rather than up Wild River Road. Tom Sweeney will lead this ride option. Meet at the park in Shelburne ready to ride at 9:00 am.

Meeting place and parking: Start from Shelburne 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. Take a left into the Chester Hayes Memorial Park and park on the left, off the dirt pathway on the grass.  There is a Porta Potty in the field!

If you want to carpool, meet in Jackson, in the parking lot across the street from the J-Town Deli at 8:10 am. Otherwise, see you in Shelburne at 9:00 am!

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28390552

ThursdayBike will start NEXT week

Wednesday, July 1st

Greeting ThursdayBikers. I miss all of you and miss the Thursday rides!

During the official shutdown for the coronavirus issues, club rides could not be hosted. Now the shutdown is over, but we still must be diligent to physically distance, wear masks and be smart about how we "Open Back Up". The virus is out there and causing a huge spike in activity is parts of the USA. With the July 4th weekend already bringing in the crowds, I decide to wait until next week to start the rides.

I will start ThursdayBike rides NEXT week, July 8th.

Places to Ride

Thursday. April 16, 2020

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the last of the xc skiing, long walks and the beginnings of the biking season.

Bob Holdsworth reported his latest bike rides, I am copying his report for you for inspiration!

I am glad that Bob recovered from his August launching, and yes, his bike was OK:

Here is the greeting and info from Bob:  

Hope all is well for you. I saw you had posted a couple of places for getting out again. I've been getting out as much as I can. Here are a few that I've been to:

From Bartlett up 302 to the Willey House and to the top of Crawford Notch - nice wide breakdown lanes and all clear.

In Bartlett take a right on River St (across from the road that heads up Bear Notch. Take Cobb Farm Road to the end and head up Stanton Farm Road for a pleasant 7 mile loop

No surprise West Side Road is great; today I went up Passaconaway to the gate (~5 miles one way); still snow showing past the gate and there are a few places to watch the pavement, but hardly any vehicle traffic at all

I went up the Kanc from Conway to Bear Notch Road and up to the gate on that side - lots of snow on the other side of the gate - still a nice little uphill to the gate and no cars - no issues either way on the Kanc other than no public bathrooms

I went to the Maine Visitor Center on 302. I called the Sheriff to make sure it was ok to park and they said no problem - I did the bike trail and went up Haleytown Road to Brownfield and than back via Fire Lane to Old County Road to Sam Brown Hill Road to Porter Road, Hampshire to Center Conway Rd to 302 back to the Visitor Center. The only spot to be careful is Sam Brown HIll - lots of sand especially on that downhill spot that leads to the closed bridge. I had the brakes on and maneuvered easily, but you have to pay attention. All told about 28 miles with the great views and good hills to build strength.

I'm looking forward to a little more snow melt to try the Cross NH Trail.

I AM TOO!!!

At present the xNHAT, Presidential Rail Trail region, is probably not ready for biking due to the recent rainstorm, but could be OK in a few days after it drains and dries. 

Last week Susie and I checked out the trail near Gorham, and equestrian friend Michael sent a photo from his perch high up on Dancer in a section of trail west of Bowman, Israel River Bridge, which WAS in good shape a few days ago.

The wooded, shadier sections of the rail trail looked like this:

Cancelled, again

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Depending on your motivation these days, you are either happy for the snow forecast in order to freshen up the snow for more xc skiing, or disappointed because it will tale a few days to once again dry the roads for biking. Both true for me.

I cancel again this week due to the forecast.

Truthfully, I am hesitant to post a ski or a ride because I want to conform to the instructions given to us in order to keep containing this virus. So for now, and maybe for the next few weeks, I will not set up a group ski or bike ride.

Instead, I can use this blog as a way to list places that have been good biking, with dry roads that are not sandy or salty, or dry trails that can be used without deep rutting the surface.  This way you can get out there and get biking and get the biking “saddle” and biking legs ready for when it is clear For us to do a group bike ride.

Send me an email with a report of good biking, I will post the news!

Here is my report, this will obviously change due to tomorrow’s snow:

Fryeburg Bike Path, as of yesterday, has only 2 short places with snow and ice (near the turtle pond area). The rest of the path was clean and dry, as was Porter Road.

Bartlett Village has been good. Lots of people out walking. You can bike up to the gate at Bear Notch Road, after that is a mix of snow and wet pavement, good for a walk but not for biking.

The Presidential Rail Trail out of Gorham headed west is still mostly snow or soft or wet or mud. Headed east towards the power island is better.

Keep safe and healthy!

Ski Cancelled due to rain and sleet

Thursday. April 2, 2020

The weather forecast is just not great for a good late spring ski this Thursday.

Last week was a perfect day out there on Bear Notch Road! The coverage is still good on Bear Notch Road as of today (Wednesday), but not sure what the rain/sleet/snow weather forecast will bring. Sunshine and warmer temperatures for the weekend!

Depending on the weather over the next week, we might actually be able to start ThursdayBike!?

Last week:

Physical Distancing, not Social Distancing:


Enjoying their first time skiing to the tip top of Bear Notch Road!



Our track:

Bear Notch Raod and the Experimental Forest Loop. 10:00 am

Thursday. March 26, 2020

The current weather forecast for Thursday looks like a good one to try the Bear Notch Road and Experimental Forest Roads Loop. Some sunshine between the clouds after a night with just slightly below freezing temperatures, them warning up to the mid forties during the day.

We can give it a try!

If too icy, not enough softening or rough, Plan B will be to just head over to the groomed trails at Bear Notch Ski Touring. They might even be grooming the Yates Trail system, so we could include that in our plan for variety.

Meet at 10:00 am at the parking lot near the gate on Bear Notch Road.   Bring food and drink.

To address issues with appropriate distancing during this time of fighting against spread of the corona virus:

Carpooling is discouraged.

Safe Skiing: Bear Notch Road is wide so we can easily keep a more than requested physical distance.  The forest roads are narrower. We typically are spread out as we ski, but we may split ourselves up into smaller groups to conform with the pleas from the health experts. Lets all work to be able to enjoy our outside time but also work to keep everyone healthy!

See you at the Bear Notch Road Gate just up the road from beautiful downtown Bartlett.

Weekend

Saturday and Sunday, March 21, 22

I was hoping for a sunny warmish day in order to ski the Bear Notch Road-Experimental Forest Loop. The temperatures this weekend are probably just too cold to give us the soft snow that we need for the skiing, and for the warm sunshine that we need for sitting in the snow for lunch.

Keep an eye on this blog if you see a warming of the weather, I will post this fun ski tour when the weather and snow conditions allow for a good time!

I will try for next Thursday?

Bear Notch at 9:30 am

Thursday, March 19, 2020

The forecast for Thursday looks cloudy with temps in the mid to high 30's. Maybe some snow flurries. I think it should be good for a ski, not the sunny spring day that would be perfect, but a good opportunity to get outside with friends at an appropriate social distance.

I skied at Bear Notch Ski Touring today, saw many friends, it was excellent. The lodge is closed, so no soup or bread. The office is closed, so they have a bucket out for donations for their continued grooming efforts. If you have been skiing Prospect Farm and want a change, I think you will be very pleased with the trails at Bear Notch, good coverage, clean white snow. I think it will be worth doing again tomorrow, with the opportunity to head out on the snowmobile trails in the experimental forest and over to Bear Notch Road.

Meet at the Bear Notch Ski Touring Parking lot at 9:30 am.

Since there is sunshine and temps in the 40's predicted for the weekend, check back on this blog for perhaps a Saturday Sunshiny Spring Skiing day!


Here we are last week at Bear Notch Ski Touring last week, practicing Laurel's posing technique:




Advice from the Nansen Ski Club, posted on Instagram:




Advice from Allspeed, reposted by Bike Maine:

Bear Notch Ski Touring 11:00am

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Bear Notch was vey good today, including the snowmobile trails in the Experimental Forest. We can do a combo of these trails for a good ski, good company, nice views and a bread n' soup apres-ski in the lodge afterwards.

We will meet a bit later than usual to allow for some softening of the snow. This strategy worked well today.

I have a freebie pass and a Kiwanis book two-fer coupon for the first requesters.

Meet at 11:00 am at the Bear Notch Lodge, where the soup and brad is served!

Laurel had all her Ducks in a Row last week at Bretton Woods!