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:

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!

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!

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!!

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!

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!

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: