Brrrrrrr...

Too Cold.

Tour de Gorham

CANCELLED

Although I can see sun on Eagle Mountain as I write this, the rain clouds on the NWS radar appear to be on the state's western border.  It's unlikely that we could complete the ride without getting wet.  See you next week.

This perennial favorite is about a 14 mile circumnavigation of Gorham on mostly dirt roads and trails with a bit of paved road thrown in too. Starting by the common in downtown Gorham. We'll cross route 16 and take a residential road to a foot bridge across the Peabody River and get on the pipeline trail. Here there will be a short but very steep hill to walk up with the bikes. And then it's pretty much of a straight shot on the pipeline trail back to Route 2 and North Road.

Next we’ll follow Hogan Road west for about 5 miles on the virtually untraveled north side of the Androscoggin River where there will be awesome views of the river and several power dams. Then we’ll take a left onto the Presidential Rail Trail which will take us to Route 2. Across route 2 is the gravel Gorham Emergency Road which is closed to motorized vehicles except in (you guessed it) emergencies when Route 2 through the center of town is impassable. Most of this ride will be on pretty flat and smooth trails and roads. The pipeline trail and Hogan Road do have some manageable hills.

For those of you who want to carpool meet at The Old Town Hall in Jackson, across the road from the post office at 9:50.  Let's start the ride at 10:30am.
 

Directions: Drive north on route 16 to Gorham. Just before the T intersection with route 2 there will be railroad tracks. Immediately after crossing the tracks turn left onto Railroad Street. Hook a U turn and park on the other side of the road across from the Common.

We have a mixed forecast for tomorrow, so be sure to check this blog tomorrow morning around 8am.  Please let me know if you plan to ride tomorrow.

Pine Barrens

Let’s explore the Pine Barrens in Madison. This area is New Hampshire’s last intact example of a pitch pine/scrub oak woodland, a globally rare forest type. The main trails are wide, firm(if a bit sandy) and flat. There will be a couple of trail segments that are more like simple single track than the main wide trails. There may be a section of the West Branch Trail that is wet so expect a bit of mud and a walk through this area. We haven't ridden here for several years so that will give us the opportunity to rediscover and explore this area anew.

Directions: Take Route 16 south of Conway to the intersection of Route 113 at Coleman’s. Take a left and follow 113 through Madison. After you see Silver Lake on your left, Route 41 will diverge to the left. Follow Route 41 for 3.4 miles along the western side of the lake. The Nature Conservancy entrance and sign will be on the left directly opposite Black Birch Road. Drive in to the kiosk and parking area.

Or take Route 16 south to the junction of Route 16 and Route 41 in Ossipee, follow Route 41 north for approximately 2 miles, crossing into the Town of Madison. The entrance to the preserve will be on the right side of the road, marked by a TNC sign. 

Let's meet at the Scenic Vista at 9:30 and start the ride around 10:15.  Please contact me before 8am if you plan to ride.

Wild River Ride

It's been two years since Irene ripped through the White Mountains and the Wild River lived up to it's name.  One of the suspension bridges across the river was completely blown out, the other survived although it also was damaged. The dirt Wild River Road was washed out in many places and the campground was not there anymore. The Wild River Trail which went from the campground into the Wilderness Area was underminded and gouged out on the way to a gargantuan mass of trees and other debris which created an impenetrable wall that cut off the trail.
This Tuesday, let's revisit the beautiful Wild River Valley and see what remains of Irene's impact.  The destoyed suspension bridge has been replaced, the road has been rebuilt and the campground is back in action, but I bet that staggering mountain of trees and debris is still there. Check out the Forest Service's website which has before and after photos of Wild River Road.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5382177.pdf

From the ride's starting point on Route 2 just before the intersection of Route 113 we'll ride about 3 miles up to Wild River Road. We may encounter a few cars on Route 113, but weekday traffic should be light. As we bike the almost 6 miles to the campground we’ll still get a sense of the force of the flood waters and the large scale repairs that have been made. In all we’ll cover something like 18 miles on this out and back ride. This ride generally follows the old Wild River Railroad route into this area. So the riding is pretty easy although it isn't flat and there are some hills. As we go into the valley the road rises gradually and the return is a very fun downward ride.

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 forecasted 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 9:10am. Don't forget to bring your lunch and some water. Please contact me before 8am tomorrow if you plan to ride.