Take a Ride on the B&M Railroad

Three weeks ago we rode on the western half of the Presidential Range Rail Trail. So this week let's explore the eastern half of the rail trail on the abandoned B&M rail bed. We'll cover about 18 miles while we ride out and back from the trail head on Route 2 in Gorham. This easy trail will take us through the woods with beaver ponds and meadows and some beautiful mountain views, to the height of land at the Castle Trail in Bowman (Randolph).

Directions: Go north on Route 16 to Gorham. When route 16 meets route 2 at the T intersection turn left. Go through Gorham on Routes 16 and 2 until Route 2 diverges to the left at the traffic light . You'll see the trail head parking lot on the right about .8 miles after you turned left on Route 2.

For those of you who want to carpool meet at The Old Town Hall in Jackson, across the road from the post office at 9:15am.

View the map of this ride by clicking here: http://www.mapmyride.com/edit_route?r=861127764586893663

Check back tomorrow morning at 8am to confirm that the weather will favor a pleasant ride tomorrow.

Cedar Creek Loop De Loo

Let's plan on riding the National Forest Trails to the west of the Cedar Creek and Birch Hill neighborhoods off West Side Road in North Conway on Tuesday June 22nd. There are two "loops" which combine about 8 miles of mostly forest roads and about 4 miles of pavement. The total time to do both loops at a moderate pace, is a couple of hours

Most of the ride is pretty flat and suitable for all abilities. So for those of you who are fairly new to fat tire riding this would be the perfect "starter" ride. We will cross a couple of brooks, and most of us should keep our feet dry. Lunch will be at the old quarry where there are great views and there should be a breeze to keep the bugs in check.

We'll meet at 9:30am in the parking lot just outside and to the left of the gates to Echo Lake State Park in North Conway. From there we'll ride south on West Side Road for about 3 miles and then enter The National Forest on a trail in the Cedar Creek Development. Bug spray is recommended.

Pond of Safety Adventure

Join Marianne as she leads the group on a discovery adventure to a new and historical area, the Pond of Safety in Jefferson. Expect the unexpected; "walkable hills", fabulous views, rough patches, wildlife sightings, downed trees or other obstacles, plus the collective thrill of finding a new ride together. Bring lunch, bug dope, water and a sense of adventure. While the group will determine the exact route this map will give you a sense of the possible route. http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/nh/jefferson/155127651369552241
Below is Marianne's write up.

Meet at the corner of Valley Road and Route 115 in Jefferson at 10:00 am. Drive there via route 302; turn right at the lights onto route 3 in Twin Mountain, then after about 1 mile turn right again onto Route 115. Climb up 115, and eventually the views open up, and there is a scenic vista on the left. Valley Road is about 4 miles after the scenic vista, on the right side of Route 115. It is about 1 mile after route 115A turns left to head towards the Waumbec Golf Club. Turn right onto Valley Road and park off the road in the dirt shoulder near the intersection. We will meet here and proceed either by car to the trailhead or ride our bikes.

The Pond of Safety is reached by about a 3 mile ride on a dirt road that is slightly uphill all the way. The road begins off of Route 2 near Six Gun City. On the way back we can stop for snacks at the Israel River Campground, and if anyone has not seen the lupines on Valley Road, we can do that, too.

Carpool: Meet at the Attitash parking lot at 9:15.

There is an interesting history of this pond:

The info below is copied from: http://www.randolphmountainclub.org/multimedia/publications/foursoldiers/foursoldiers2.html


The Legend of the Four Soldiers
The Name “Four Soldiers” comes from the days of the American Revolution. It is said that four Continental Army soldiers,William Danforth, Benjamin Hicks, Lazarus Holmes, and Capt. James Ryder, were captured by the British and then released under the condition that they would fight against them no more.

For fear of being arrested if they refused combat upon return, the four soldiers escaped and fled home to the North Country, finding their way to the remote pond, where they lived in safety for more than three years, until the war ended. At the war’s end, the four soldiers were exonerated of their charges of desertion and welcomed back to civilization.

From one generation to the next this legend is passed along. Randolph Paths, Randolph Old and New, other mountain guidebooks, and writings about Randolph and Coos County include versions of this tale of the Four Soldiers at Pond of Safety.

Pondicherry - The Lupine Tour

The weather forecast looks great for Tuesday! Let's do an amazingly scenic ride in the Randolph-Jefferson valley area. The route follows the Presidential Rail Trail into The Pondicherry National Wildlife refuge for most of the way. We will ride the rail trail for 2 miles and then cut over to Valley Road which is a smooth, scenic dirt road. The lupines are blooming in the fields and they will make the rural country views absolutely beautiful. After 3 miles on Valley Road, we will reunite with the rail trail again at its intersection with route 115 and follow it 4.5 miles into the Pondicherry Wildlife National Refuge. This area has great scenery and panoramic views of the Presidentials and magazine-worthy photographic opportunities. On the return, we can retrace our route or ride some pavement on Israel's River Road as a change of venue for awhile. Total Mileage out and back is about 18.5 flat miles.

Start time: 10:00 am, ready to bike.

The ride will start at the Bowman parking area (hikers parking for the Castle trail) on the left (south) side of Route 2. From the Conway area, drive north over Pinkham Notch on route 16. Take a left onto Route 2, drive through downtown Gorham then take a left again on Route 2 as it heads west towards Randolph. Drive about 8.4 miles to the Castle Trail parking area, on the left. It is about 3 miles west of the Appalachia trail head parking area. Bring water, lunch, camera and bug defense.

To view the route, click this link:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/randolph/275124485600141373

For those heading to the Bowman parking area and wishing to carpool, meet at the Jackson XC/Wentworth GC parking lot directly across from the J-Town Deli at 8:55am.

Need more miles after looking out the window at the rain? Marianne is contemplating a ride extension. Does anyone want to join her and start from the east end of the Pinkham B Road? This will add 18 miles to the day, and it includes a climb on Pinkham B and a ride on Durand Road, which is parallel to and north of Route 2. Durand Road ends about 1/2 mile before the Bowman trail parking area. Meet the rest of the riders at Bowman ready to ride at 10:00 after this "warm-up". Call or email Marianne if you want to do these extra 18 miles: 383-9232 or marianneborowski@yahoo.com.