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!



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