Two years ago we rode the northern half of the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail from Littleton to Lisbon and had a great ride on a wonderful rail trail. With a little prompting from the usual suspects (you know who you are) and a forecast for a beautiful day it seems that tomorrow would be the perfect day to complete our exploration on the southern section of this trail. The Ammonoosuc River provides a gorgeous backdrop to this trail. And there is a magnificent 345 foot covered bridge that was built in 1832 in Bath.
The Ammonoosuc Rail Trail from Woodsville to Lisbon wends its way along the Ammonoosuc River by field, farm, quaint villages and some very interesting backyards. In all we’ll cover about 20 miles on this easy and flat dirt track. After getting to Lisbon we’ll turn around and head back to our lunch spot in Bath which is a quintessentially scenic New England Village with a gorgeous covered bridge and a well stocked General Store. And the last time I was in Bath there was an ice cream store and an art gallery too. What’s a better combination than culture and ice cream?
Directions and Carpooling: Meet at 8:30 in the back of the Attitash parking lot. There are several ways to get to Woodsville that take about the same amount of time. There’s (A) 302 to 93 to 302 or (B) Bear Notch road to 112 to 302 or (C) 302 to 93 to 117 to 302. So pick your favorite and meet us at about 10am at the starting point in Woodsville.
When you approach Woodsville there is a stop light at the intersection of routes 302 and 10. Go west toward downtown Woodsville on 302 for about ¾ of a mile. After awhile you will probably see a dirt path paralleling 302 on the right. This is the rail trail. At Highland St go right and then take a quick left on a dirt road/driveway. We will park in the dirt lot just down from the Railway Farm and Garden Store and Central Supply.
Go here for a trail map:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/11620932
For those who want a little extra riding (6 mi.) you can explore the Blackmount spur to North Haverill from Woodsville at the end of our ride
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Pondicherry - The Lupine Tour
The weather forecast looks great for Tuesday June 21st! Let's do an amazingly scenic ride in the Jefferson area while the lupine are blooming.
We’ll start at the western terminus of The Presidential Range Rail Trail and pedal through almost four miles of The Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge where the views are absolutely magnificent. Then we’ll head for more open vistas on three miles of paved country road and another three plus miles on the dirt Valley Road. When we reach Jefferson Notch Road we will return to Pondicherry on The Rail Trail. In all we’ll cover about 18 miles with breath taking spring views and lots of gorgeous lupine.
The rail trail has a pretty firm surface and is a combination of dirt, gravel, stone, cinder and ballast. Since the new culverts and bridges were installed more than a year ago, the rail trail has been solid and dry. This is a relatively flat route with no major hills. It’s just a wonderful cruise through a beautiful area.
Bring your cameras; the scenery here creates magazine quality photos!!!
Directions: Take route 302 through Bretton Woods and at the traffic light go right on route 3 for 1.9 miles. Then take another right on route 115. In 4.4 miles Hazen Road will be on your left, take it. In another 1.4 miles you will see a sign on the right saying Presidential Recreation Trail Pondicherry. Go right into the small parking lot. We may have to do some creative parking to fit us all in here.
Carpooling is a must due to the small parking lot at Pondicherry. Meet at 8:55am in the Attitash parking lot. Please be ready to ride at 10:00am.
Click here for a map of this ride.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/11313897
We’ll start at the western terminus of The Presidential Range Rail Trail and pedal through almost four miles of The Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge where the views are absolutely magnificent. Then we’ll head for more open vistas on three miles of paved country road and another three plus miles on the dirt Valley Road. When we reach Jefferson Notch Road we will return to Pondicherry on The Rail Trail. In all we’ll cover about 18 miles with breath taking spring views and lots of gorgeous lupine.
The rail trail has a pretty firm surface and is a combination of dirt, gravel, stone, cinder and ballast. Since the new culverts and bridges were installed more than a year ago, the rail trail has been solid and dry. This is a relatively flat route with no major hills. It’s just a wonderful cruise through a beautiful area.
Bring your cameras; the scenery here creates magazine quality photos!!!
Directions: Take route 302 through Bretton Woods and at the traffic light go right on route 3 for 1.9 miles. Then take another right on route 115. In 4.4 miles Hazen Road will be on your left, take it. In another 1.4 miles you will see a sign on the right saying Presidential Recreation Trail Pondicherry. Go right into the small parking lot. We may have to do some creative parking to fit us all in here.
Carpooling is a must due to the small parking lot at Pondicherry. Meet at 8:55am in the Attitash parking lot. Please be ready to ride at 10:00am.
Click here for a map of this ride.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/11313897
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 14, 2011
Update - It's lightening up, let's ride!
Another forecast with a possibility (40%) of rain, ergh. Well let's think positively and plan for a ride tomorrow. How about another close to home ride in case we need to bail out (literally) early?
So let's explore the trails around and near Thorne Pond and the Saco in Bartlett. These fun and virtually flat trails range from logging type roads to single track. While most of the trails are appropriate for an experienced novice, there will, occasionally, be quick turns, roots, stones and mud to ride around or over. There are a couple of spots where getting off the bike may be advisable. There aren't any difficult trails. So we should have a very nice ride. And if it does start to rain we won’t be very far from our cars.
We'll meet in the back of the Attitash parking lot, across route 302 from the mountain. Park in the back of the lot by the parking shack to avoid using spaces that Attitash customers might need. Be ready to ride at 10:00am.
Rain in the morning will cancel the ride. Check back here tomorrow morning around 8:00am to confirm that the ride is still on.
Another forecast with a possibility (40%) of rain, ergh. Well let's think positively and plan for a ride tomorrow. How about another close to home ride in case we need to bail out (literally) early?
So let's explore the trails around and near Thorne Pond and the Saco in Bartlett. These fun and virtually flat trails range from logging type roads to single track. While most of the trails are appropriate for an experienced novice, there will, occasionally, be quick turns, roots, stones and mud to ride around or over. There are a couple of spots where getting off the bike may be advisable. There aren't any difficult trails. So we should have a very nice ride. And if it does start to rain we won’t be very far from our cars.
We'll meet in the back of the Attitash parking lot, across route 302 from the mountain. Park in the back of the lot by the parking shack to avoid using spaces that Attitash customers might need. Be ready to ride at 10:00am.
Rain in the morning will cancel the ride. Check back here tomorrow morning around 8:00am to confirm that the ride is still on.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Echo Lake and Cedar Creek Trails
Tomorrow, Tuesday June 7th, let's plan on riding the trails near Echo Lake and the National Forest trails to the west of the Cedar Creek and Birch Hill neighborhoods off West Side Road in North Conway.
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 a great ride. We will cover about 4 miles of pavement and 8-10 miles of dirt forest trails. We will cross a couple of brooks, and most of us should keep our feet dry.
We'll meet at 10:00am 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. After exploring the forest roads and an old rail bed in the Moat Trail system we'll head north back to the trails by Echo Lake for further explorations.
Bug spray is recommended. And bring your lunch. See you there.
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 a great ride. We will cover about 4 miles of pavement and 8-10 miles of dirt forest trails. We will cross a couple of brooks, and most of us should keep our feet dry.
We'll meet at 10:00am 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. After exploring the forest roads and an old rail bed in the Moat Trail system we'll head north back to the trails by Echo Lake for further explorations.
Bug spray is recommended. And bring your lunch. See you there.
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