Dear AdventuRiders,
Welcome to week 2 of AdventuRides Spring 2011! The weather forecast for this week looks similar to last week, but much warmer. We'll do our best to get as many rides in as possible.
Monday, April 11th - East Pepperell
The current weather forecast calls for a 40% chance of morning showers and a high temperature in the low 70s. Lets hope for better weather, but we will try to get the afternoon ride in at least.
We will meet in East Pepperell Center at the gravel Rail Trail parking lot. Here is a map.
- Since this is the first Recreation Ride of the season, the morning ride will feature the Nashua River Rail Trail to Groton. From there we will see a bit of the Groton School and the Surrenden Farm Conservation Area before returning to Pepperell on the NRRT.
- The route is about 14 miles and essentially flat. Its a good way to accumulate some early season miles, avoid traffic, and enjoy the beauty of the NRRT. There is a tiny bit of gravel at Surrenden Farm, but any well maintained bike will work fine. Here is a map.
Lunch will be at the Pepperell Spa Restaurant. The food is adequate, but the "olde timey" ambience is something not to be missed. The restroom is one of the most adventurous that we have found.
- The afternoon Recreation Ride will also make use of the NRRT, but this time we will be going northeast to Dunstable. After leaving the rail trail and climbing a small hill, we will pass Tully Farm on our way to the Jointgrass Brook Conservation Area. From there we will pass Swallow Cemetery and return by way of farm-filled Hollis Street and River Road.
- The route is a little over 12 mile with some rolling hills. It is all on road and any well maintained bike will work fine. Here is a map.
Here is the schedule:
- At 9:30 AM - The morning Recreation Ride will leave.
- At 11:30 AM - We will have lunch.
- At 12:30 PM - The afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
- At 2:30 PM - We will be back.
Wednesday, April 13th - Portsmouth
The weather is looking very nice with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 50s. Its supposed to be cooler in Portsmouth and there could be a sea breeze, so I'll keep my eye on it. We always have "interesting" weather on our seacoast trips.
Although its an hour drive each way, this is a good route to accumulate early season miles without hills and with marvelous scenery. We also need to do this ride before May 1st when parking and entrance fees in NH go into effect.
We can meet at the Shaw's parking lot at 4 corners in Groton to carpool. Here is a map.
We will meet at the Hampton North Beach Parking. Here is a map.
- The Exploration Ride will ride along the beautiful NH seacoast to New Castle and then to Portsmouth. Along the way we will stop at Rye Harbor State Park, O'Diorne State Park, Fort Constitution, ... Since we have experience with afternoon headwinds on the coast, I have mapped out an inland route on the way back if necessary.
- The route is about 31 miles and mostly flat. Here is a map. Its all on road, so I plan to bring my road bike.
We have many choices for lunch in Portsmouth. Here are a few suggestions:
- Lunch on the deck overlooking Portsmouth Harbor at River House Restaurant.
- Pub lunch with fresh microbrew beer at the Portsmouth Brewery.
- Lighter fare at Popovers on the sidewalk in bustling Market Square.
Here is the schedule:
- At 9:00 AM - Meet at Shaw's to carpool.
- At 10:00 AM - Meet at Hampton North Beach parking lot.
- At 12:30 PM ish - We will have lunch.
- At 3:00 PM - We will be back to North Hampton Beach.
Friday, April 15th - Groton
Beware the Ides of April, for it is Tax Day! The weather looks Mostly Cloudy and 50s, but its too far off to have any confidence in the forecast.
For various reasons, we ended up riding 24 miles in about 2 hours moving time last week, a little fast for this early in the season. Please bear with us as we fine tune our new Fitness Rides.
We will meet in Groton Center at the Nashua River Rail Trail parking lot. Here is a map.
I have a couple of ideas for the Fitness Ride. One takes us to Lunenburg where we can mourn the loss of Trudy's Treats. This route is about 25 miles with some significant hills. The other idea takes us to Hollis, NH through the hills of West Pepperell. Its about 30 miles, but the last dozen miles back to Groton are downhill or flat on the NRRT. Stay tuned!
Here is the schedule:
- At 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
- At 12:30 PM - We will be back.
- Lunch - Filho's Cucina.
Hope to see you there.
Bill and Carole