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