Conference noted::bicycle

If you are in for a Century try the following

From the Lincon visitor's center head north on RT3

At the Flume visitors center get on the bike path through Franconia notch

At the end of the bike path get back on RT3 and continue north until RT302

Take RT302 south to RT16

Take RT16 south into Conway

Take the Kancamagus back to Lincon

This is my favorite route  ;')


Cheers,


...Ed

    if you want to do some off road I recommend you go to the Forest
    Service hut at the Lincoln Woods trailhead just up the road from Loon
    and get a map of the Cherry Mountain loop over by Zealand campground
    off Rt 302.  And while you're there at the trail you might as well take
    a ride up it.  It's three miles on the abandoned rail bed.  You can
    ride up to the campground and a short hike .4 miles brings you to
    Franconia falls.  If you like camping this is a nice place to go.  It
    should be pretty once the colors start to come, which should be soon.

    Watch out for the black bears. :)
    
    rich

    How far/hard do you want to ride?
    
    as for .1, on the weekend, I'd avoid the bike path, too many strollers,
    pet walkers, and even yahoos on bikes, just go up the parkway, get off
    on rt 3.
    
    ed

    There's a bike shop in Plymouth (just a few exits south of Lincoln)
    that sells maps of some off-road rides in the Lincoln-Woodstock-Campton
    area. I think the shop's name is "The Greasy Wheel". It is on Rt 3.
    
    
    Steve

Re: .3

Yeah, if you do my route suggested in .1, be sure you start early if you go on
the bike path.  I've never had a problem on weekends if you do the bike path
early in the morning.  By 11:00 it becomes somewhat unrideable because of
the number of people/bikers on it.


...Ed

    A hiking friend of mine just brought me the map and directions
    for Cherry Mountain loop.  It is 25 miles.  Some of it's main
    attractions include 3 waterfalls and a number of spectacular views.
    I have not done this one yet, but it sounds like a fun ride.
    If you would like a copy of the map before you head up there,
    send me E-mail.
    
    						_kathy
    
    

I did a modified version of .1.  Started south of Lincoln on Rte 3 (West 
Thornton).  Went east on the "Kank" but cut up Bear Hill Rd (not 100% 
sure of the name) to Bartlett, then west up Crawford notch to Twin Mtn and 
south to Franconia.  Screem down back to Woodstock and Lincoln.  AVOID Bike
path.  99 miles back to West Thornton.

Eric

    re: .7 
    
    > Bear Hill Rd (not 100% sure of the name)
    
    It's called Bear Notch Rd.  I driven it but never biked it.  How is it? 
    I seem to remember it's quite a hill to climb as well.
    
    ...Ed

    From the direction mentioned in .7, Bear Notch Rd is about a 100 ft
    climb and eight miles of coasting, ahh, err, 54x11 @150rpm.  :-)
    
    ed

    If you turn onto Bear Notch Road from the Kank you cross over the Swift
    River and a couple of hundred yards up there's a cutout on the left
    where you can park. Just about directly across from there, and not very
    visible but you should see it if you're looking for it, is a
    cross-country ski trail which parallels the Swift for 7.5 miles to
    the covered bridge just below Lower Falls (can't think of the name of
    the bridge). It's a great ride, somewhat strenous in the beginning as
    it's "technical" for the first mile or so ("technical" is a nice word
    meaning you're going to expend a lot of energy and crash about every
    3 feet). Stick with it and it gets to be a fun ride with some nice
    views of the river here and there. 
    
    						Thom...

    
    I highly recommend Bear Notch Rd. to bicycle.  In fact, the
    route outlined in .1 sounds great, but I would make the exception
    of cutting it shorter by taking Bear Notch Rd. from Rte. 302
    back to the Kang - you'll avoid all that awful North Conway-
    Conway "outlet" mess traffic too which is *sure* to be mucho
    yucko on Columbus Day weekend.
    

I agree with .11 - avoid North Conway (especially on busy weekends...)

Bear Notch is a nice ride.  Didn't mind the climb too much.  Great coast to 
Bartlett.  Road could do with a new coat...

Eric

    
    re:0
    
    If you are into mountain biking, or riding a mountain bike, I doubt
    that you'd want to be doing century. You mentioned you will be in the
    Loon mountain neighbourhood. Well, Loon mountain has mountain biking.
    You have a great selection too. They provide trail maps and everything
    You could either use the cross country skiing trails or the actual 
    trails on the mountain. They have  a few options both on the west and 
    the east side. From  beginer to intermediat and advanced. On the east
    side you can ride the green trails all the way to the top of the
    mountain. Great veiws, great hike. The nice thing about is also that 
    there will be other mountain bikers to meet up there, they have a bike
    rental/repairs there. there is also sub shops and restuarants right at
    the base of the mountain. 
    
    Have fun,
    
    Shaw
    

    This note ends in 91, but maybe someone will reply. What are the rules
    concerning the use of Mountain bikes in WMNF?
    
    Has anybody done the Carriage road up Mt Moosilauke (Sp??) which is
    owned by Dartmouth College??
    
    How about the Sawyer river trail from the Kang across to Sawyer River
    road. Anyone done that? In the same area, how about the Hancock Notch
    trail?
    
    Any information, or suggested sources will be appreciated. 
    
                           Bill

    
    Bill I wish I had an answer for your questions. However my I have not
    seen any area out that way yet that did not allow mountain bikers
    (private property excluded). There 's certainly a lot out there. 
    Some fun rides would be right a Loon mountain. The bike shop opens
    May 1st. and I'm sure the local guys at the shop could answer more 
    and even turn you on to more trails/tracks.  
    The one time that I went there I rode up a ski trail, (an easy run)
    to the top. Once you get to te summit there are ways to get down to 
    the lake there. You can ride back on a selection of trails from 
    easy to expert stuff. 
    I would wait a while though , skiing is still going strong out there.
    
    Shaw

    A good "almost local" shop with info would be the Greasy Wheel in
    Plymouth.
    
    ed

    I went up to the White mountains Friday, Sat & Sun.  (LOON)
    The gondola was not running due to some snow and mud on the upper 
    moutain but will start operating as of 22nd of May. You could however
    take a mountain road from the east lodge, climb up to the mid mountain
    and go across to the west mountain. 
    I tried the cross country trails, very nice. There is one main loop and
    and quite a few trails off of that great thing is you cann't get lost
    as they all go in a loop and eventually you end up in the spot you 
    started. There trail is beautiful with tall trees, you ride in the
    shade which is great on a warm sunny day. Half way through the loop 
    you end up in this very nice open area, with a bunch of picnic tables
    right by the river. It is absolutely gorgeuos. There are a few other 
    spots that you can hang out. The ride is pretty but anyone with beginer 
    to intermidiate ablity can handle it. It is great for some one that
    wants to experience true off road riding. There is also a bike shop 
    right at the parking lot that rents mountain bikes, (Giants).
    If you haven't been up, you should try it! As of 22nd you can take 
    your bike up on the gondola and have a few choices from expert to 
    beginner to ride down. 
    June 6th is a must for all MTB riders. Norba sponsored race. There 
    should be a lot of good riders. There is a BBQ and party after the 
    race. $20000 or was $2000 cash price plus other prices. for those
    that don't race there is mountain biking, archery, horse back riding
    Skyryde (up the gondola) hiking and walks through some caves etc.
    Free all you can eat pancake breakfast for all singups. Others pay
    3.95 for all you can eat breakfast, at the top of the mountain. No
    charge if you're just riding or an observer, if you decide to take your
    bike up on the gondola I think that's either 3 or 5 bucks. 
    Race fees are $20 dollars. If you are not a Norba member one day 
    membership fee is $3.00.
    
    Come out and have a great day.
    
    Shaw
    

    Re: .17
    
    Were these the trails on the east side (towards the Kancamagus Highway)
    or the west side (towards I-93)?
    
Lew Lasher

    re:.-1
    On the east side, past the mountain lodge/tennis courts etc.
    
    Shaw

    
    Another thing that might be of interest to some folks, (I know I will
    try this :-) )  I noticed last night in the Loon summer activities. 
    They have bus rides that start from the parking lot infront of the
    bike shop and bring you to Franconia Notch (by the old man of the 
    mountain) They claim that from there you ride this exhilarating
    downhill to Echo lake. 
    If you have your own bike the bus ride is $10.00. or $25 for four
    hours of mountain bike rentals and the bus ride. 
    
    I know I will be trying this one soon :-) 
    
    Shaw

    Actually you can park in most of the rest areas. The paved walkway is
    about ten miles long (both up and down hill!), which would give you
    about a twenty mile ride. Excellent in the Fall during a weekday (fewer
    walkers).
    
    Paul

    
    re:-1
    Why would anyone want to ride a paved road on a mountain bike?
    
    shaw

Your car has to ride on pave to get to the trails. If the trails are close
enought to your house. you would bypass the car. 

Pave ======> Dirt 

Not all trails require SHOCKS. As a matter of fact I don't use shocks on any
trails because I don't have shocks.:-)

Happy Hunting! Shaw,

Later,  

Huey

    Shaw,
    
    If you only have one bike, you make do. A mountain bike is much better
    on the roads than a road bike in the mud...... 
    I have motorcycle friends that ask why one would pedal through the woods
    when you could motor through (to each their own)
    
    Paul
    (who enjoys most two wheeled riding)

     Re; Pedaling instead of motoring question: Just tell them in
         25 years the motor in your chest is gonna be a hell of lot
         more important (and working better) than the one between
         their legs! :-)
    
         Chip
    
         
        
         

    
    Righto Chip :-)
    
    Paul no I am not limited to only one bike. I have a road bike too. 
    Trek 2300.  But was in a serious bike accident a couple of years
    ago, and a few minor ones. So as much as I like road biking and 
    the speed, around where I live S.NH, roads are narrow and drivers
    are ignorant of cyclist and every time I get on the road I find
    that I come home all frustrated and aggrivated and my lunges are 
    full of exhust fumes and ...... well you get the picture.
    So I prefer being out in the woods or climbing a mountain, enjoying
    the car free environment and the freedom of being able to go 
    anywhere (well almost) on my mountain bike. 
    I actualy am not displeased at all with my current MTB. It's just that
    I am getting into downhilling more and I know I can ride faster
    with suspensions. Hence the reason for my search of a new bike. 
    
    Shaw