Conference noted::bicycle

    
    Steve, I would be surprised if Bretton Woods didn't have any mountain
           biking right there, then there is the cross country trails. 
           My girlfriend and I frequent the near by Loon quit a bit, 
           One of the nice ways to spend a half day is, ride the gondola
           up with your bike, great views and ice cream on top ;-) you can
           leave the bike up there for a few and visit the cave walks, 
           rated from beginner to advanced walks...then there are a few 
           ways to ride down, one of my favourites is from top of gondola 
           down bear claw trail, almost half way upper bear claw, before 
           the picnic table, there is a narrow trail down through the 
           trees which brings you half way down the mountain, from there 
           you can go east or west. We've also done the cross country trail
           on the east side (there are two east and west) the east side 
           consists of on big loop which brings you to the river with a 
           nice picnic area by the stormy water great scenery. Off the big
           loop there are other narrower trails which are marked from  
           intermediate to advance riding, nice thing is all go in loops
           so you cann't get lost. the riding on XC trails are free, the 
           ride up the gondola is $8.00 for the day. There is also a bus 
           ride you can take from the parking lot infront of the bike shop
           that will bring you to the oldman of the mountain (notch) area
           and the ride back is all downhill with great scenery go by echo
           lake ... 
           We have also just driven down the Kangamangos highway and there 
           are more than a few spot that you can do some nice trail riding
           these are more spontanues and first time down/up them is great
           'cause you some time don't know what to expect.
    
    Shaw

    Hi Steve,
         The only trail I've experienced personally in that area is
    the Cherry Mtn loop which starts on the north side of Rt 302 a little
    bit west of Bretton Woods and comes back to Rt 302 directly across from
    Bretton Woods via the road to the Cog Railway.  The path we followed
    was about 22 miles of gravel road and single track including dry stream
    beds and what I believe is the highest public vehicle road in the east
    at about 3500'.  If was very fun except for the leg cramps I got from
    being totally out of shape.
         I found this, along with several others by way of maps that were
    available free at the tourist center at Exit 32 off Rt 93.  The Cherry
    Mtn. trail is also described in the book on NH MTB trails I got at a
    book store in NH.
    
    Regards,
    Tom
    
    P.S.  I expect insect repellent will be very valuable by then.

    Thanks, this sounds perfect.  I would like to keep the ride out of
    Bretton Woods, as this is where we are staying.
    
    Does the MTN bike book of NH show what if on/off limits in the national
    forest?
    
    steve

Bretton Woods offers mtn biking on-site. If memory serves me correctly, their
brochure mentioned lift-serviced riding on the downhill trails as well as access
to the x-c trails.

    
    Is it possible to ride into Zealand Notch via Sugarloaf road off 302???
    
    I often hike in the area, but avoid that trail due to the masses.
    

    I believe that the new cross country ski area up by the Auto Road
    allows MTB's on their trails
    
    Chris

         I checked in the book over the weekend and it said that, in
    general, all roads and trails in the National Forest are open to
    bicycles unless in a designate Wilderness Area or otherwise noted.
    However, some areas are restricted prior to May 23 because of soft
    ground.  This may be a concern even later in the north country.  It was
    also stated that cyclists are advised to use extreme caution when in
    areas the are heavily hiked.  Apparently the Cherry Mountain trail is
    being "pushed" for MTB'ing because the Forest Service is using this for
    an impact study.  Maybe it is just my paranoia but that tells me we
    should be extra careful there so as not to "prove" how destructive
    MTB's are.
    
    Happy Trails,
    Tom