Wild River Ride

This Tuesday September 26th, we'll do an out and back ride in the Wild River Valley from Route 2 to the end of Wild River Road. The Wild River Trail beyond the campground experienced serious flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene and we won’t be able to ride past the campground on bikes. But we can walk into this area to see firsthand the devastation of Irene. So we’ll try a new starting point and ride about 3 miles up to Wild River Road on Route 113 from the intersection of Routes 2 and 113.

This ride is in a beautiful area and the foliage will make it gorgeous. We may encounter a few cars on Route 113, but weekday traffic should be light. The dirt Wild River Road is closed to auto traffic so we should have that all to ourselves with the exception of the occasional Forest Service vehicle. As we bike the 6 miles to the campground we’ll get a sense of the force of the flood waters on the surrounding landscape. It’s not all bad news though as the river views from the road have been greatly enhanced. In all we’ll cover something like 18 miles.

Directions: Go to Gorham on route 16 north. At the Route 2 intersection go right toward Maine. About 2 (I think it’s 1.9) miles beyond the Maine State line take a right onto a dirt road which leads to the site of the old bridge and a large parking area. If you get to the new bridge which is just beyond our turn off you’ve gone too far. And if you get to Route 113, on the right, just over the new bridge you’ll know you’ve over shot the starting point.


Let’s start the ride at 10:00am. It’s going to be a beautiful day and we can have a picnic lunch along the river. If anyone wants to carpool meet at the Jackson Old Town Hall parking lot across from the post office at 9am.

Tuesday September 20th

No Ride Today - Tuesday 9/20

Monday Update 6:30 pm

Check back tomorrow morning around 7:30 to check if the ride is still on. The weather forecasts are all over the place. The probability for precipitation during ride time runs from 30% - 90%. Erg!

If we can get a ride in, this is it.

East Branch River Ride

It would be interesting to ride up Town Hall Road to see all of the hurricane damage done by the river. The part above Glenn and Trish's house is gated off for cars, but not for bikes or walking, so there would be no traffic.

Meet at 9:00 am, ready to ride at the Bartlett Town Hall to bike up Town Hall Road along the East Branch River as far as the weather allows. If the rain comes, it is an easy downhill cruise back to the cars.

Sunday Posting
Hi Everyone,
I'm on The Cape and Marianne has generously agreed to organize this week's ride. The forecast is slightly iffy so Marianne is going to hold off until tomorrow to choose the route. Please check back on Monday for the Tuesday ride plan.

Thanks, Joan

Rob Brook Road - A Valley Classic

It’s time to do the Rob Brook Road Loop, which is a valley classic. This area has a reputation for being buggy. Two years ago when we rode this route in July it lived up to its reputation. But the bugs have left us for the most part and its time we got out there for a very pleasant ride. This is a rolling 12 mile ride, suitable for all abilities, mostly on a winding dirt forest road with the last few miles on the Kanc and Bear Notch Road. There are hills to climb and they are quite doable.

Marty Basch describes this ride in his White Mountain Ride Guide as follows "The road winds by streams and huge boulders. Spotting signs of moose and deer are common. A few quick climbs are rewarded with refreshing downhills."

The Saco Ranger Station has said that the road is open and passable. Plan on getting your feet wet as we need to cross the Swift River to get to the Kanc. A good lunch spot is at The Russell Colbath House (on The Kanc) where there are picnic benches by the barn. If the river is too high we can just retrace our tracks back to Bear Notch Road which will add about 5 miles to the ride.

The Trail Head and parking are on the west side of Bear Notch Road .75 mi north of the intersection with The Kanc. We will start the ride at 10:00am. So please be there about 9:50am. See you there!

Go With The Flow

The forecast is for 1" to 2" of rain tonight into tomorrow morning. So let's turn lemons into lemonade, make the best of a bad situation, go with the flow, etc, etc...

So here's a really fun idea! After 5pm bikers are allowed to cruise up the closed section of route 302 in Bartlett and Hale's Location. Imagine a major highway with no cars! And some very interesting post Irene scenery. We can go as far north as we we want to and as the day light permits. If you like, pump up your tires as we should be on pavement most of the way.

Let's meet at the pull out/parking on the left before the barricades. These barricades are just past Bear Notch Ski Touring Center on route 302 in Bartlett. Please pull off the road as far as you can so that we don't block turning vehicles.
Meeting time is 4:45.

Check back here around 3:30pm if it's still raining tomorrow afternoon.