Ammonoosuc Rail Trail

Last year I don't think we got to this ride which is a shame since it is goes through such beautiful countryside.  This is a well drained trail which we will need after today's rain finishes.  It is a multi-use rail trail that runs about 20 miles between Woodsville and Littleton along the Ammonoosuc River. Tomorrow we'll ride the northern half of the trail from Littleton  for up to 20 miles out and back, on this almost flat route which wends its way through bucolic woods and farm lands by the Ammonoosuc River.  If you are so inclined, you can cool off in the Ammonoosuc after the ride at the very scenic swimming hole next to the lot where we’ll park our cars.

Littleton is a neat little town. After we ride we can visit Bishops Homemade Ice Cream Shop. Yankee Magazine rated it one of the top five ice cream stands in New England. Need I say more? Also there's Chuttters which boasts the "world’s longest candy counter". Even if you’re not a big candy fan it is quite a sight and worth a visit. Other historic points of interest include Thayers Inn which was built in 1850.

Bring: plenty of water, sunscreen, and lunch.

Carpooling:  Meet at 9:00am in the Attitash parking lot at the very west end far away from where the Attitash summer patrons usually park their cars.  We will start the ride by 10:00am.  Please let me know if you plan to ride and where you plan to meet the group so that we don’t start without you.

Directions: Take route 302 northwest to Bethlehem and get on route 93 northbound. At exit 41 head north on route 302 towards downtown Littleton. In about ¾ of a mile The Littleton Bike Shop will be on the left. It is 23 Cottage Street (route 302). Take the driveway/road just before the bike shop building and park in back.

Presidential Range Rail Trail

GORHAM TO RANDOLPH

It's going to be sunny and hot tomorrow so a gentle trail with shade would be a good fit.  The Presidential rail trail will be mostly downhill for the second half of the ride and that's when it will be hottest.

This gentle rail trail, on the old B&M rail bed, follows the Moose River through lovely woods with beaver ponds and meadows and some beautiful mountain views. From the Route 2 trail head we'll ride the old rail bed to the intersection of Pinkham B Road. Then we'll switch to Durand Road and take that to the rail trail's height of land at the Castle Trail in Bowman (Randolph).  The ride back from Bowman on the rail trail is a blast as it is ever so slightly downhill. In all we'll cover about 20 miles. The surface of the trail is mostly dirt with some ballast and an occasional sandy spot.

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 mile after you turn left on Route 2.

Carpooling: Meet at the Old Jackson Town Hall at 8:20. We should start the ride in Gorham by 9:00am to take advantage of the cooler morning air.  

Bring sunscreen (?), plenty of water and a snack (or lunch).  Please contact me Monday if you plan to ride so that we don't start the ride without you.  Thanks.

Gorgeous Lovell

It’s the height of the tourist season. Has anyone else noticed the epic backups going into and out of North Conway? So tomorrow we need to get far from the madding crowds. And there’s nowhere more remote and scenic as the Kezar Falls Gorge /Five Kezar Ponds area out of Lovell, Maine. You’ll be surprised at the remoteness of the second half of the ride.

We'll start out at the Lovell Historical Society and take Old Waterford Road to Kezar Falls Gorge, which Delorme rightly describes as a unique natural area. Then the route will take us to the Five Kezar Ponds where we’ll take a path around one. Next we’ll retrace our tracks back down Old Waterford Road to a dirt road and head out to the Dan Charles Pond area and then after a series of dirt roads (with a couple of sandy spots) we’ll come out on Fern St which will lead us back to Old Waterford Road and the Historical Society. 

There are a few hills, primarily at the beginning of the ride so we’ll get our most aerobic exercise during the cooler part of the day. Otherwise the terrain will be relatively easy to cover. The surface will be pavement, pavement reverting to dirt, dirt and packed sandy soil. We should cover a bit over 19 miles.  Bring lunch, water and sunscreen.

Added Bonus: The Historical Society will be open Tuesday so you can nip in there for a look see at the exhibits after the ride.

Please let me know if you plan to ride tomorrow in case the ride plan changes.

Be ready to ride at 9:30am. Park in the lot/field which is on the left, just across from the historical society building which is 1.5 miles past the intersection of routes 93 and 5 in Lovell. To get to Lovell take route 5 north out of Fryeburg, Me.

Carpooling: Meet at the Scenic Overlook in North Conway which is conveniently located across the street from Trails End Ice Cream Shop. Meet Time 8:30am