Dear AdventuRiders,
The weather forecast is looking pretty good for this week. Monday is supposed to be partly cloudy and around 60 degrees. Wednesday is supposed to be similar, so we'll try again for the Portsmouth ride. Friday is too far away to worry about the "Few Showers" in the forecast.
On Monday, May 9th - Groton Center
We will meet in Groton Center at the Nashua River Rail Trail parking. Here is a starting point map.
- The morning recreation ride will explore the scenic backroads of Groton and Dunstable. We will stop at Baddacook Pond on the way with an optional PortyPotty stop at Larter Field. From there, we will ride some amazingly smooth roads on the way back to the Nashua River Rail Trail. Here is a route map.
- The route is about 15 miles with 200 feet vertical (easy). There are a few rolling hills on the way, and there is about 1/4 mile of dirt / gravel road. A road bike will work, but I plan to bring my hybrid bike.
- Lunch at Filho's Cucina, YUMMY!
- The afternoon recreation ride will explore West Groton and the beautiful rolling hills of West Pepperell. We will also check out the new covered bridge and memorial park before returning on the Nashua River Rail Trail. Here is a route map.
- The route is a little over 13 miles and 300 feet vertical (moderate). The one significant hill in West Pepperell is also the most scenic. There is also about 1/4 mile of dirt / gravel road. A road bike will work, but I plan to bring my hybrid bike.
Here is the schedule:
- At 9:30 AM - The morning Recreation Ride will leave.
- At 11:30 AM - We will have lunch at Filho's Cucina.
- At 12:30 PM - The afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
- At 2:30 PM - We will be back.
On Wednesday, May 11th - Portsmouth
Although its an hour drive each way, this is a good route to accumulate miles without hills and with marvelous scenery. It will cost us $1.75 an hour to park at Hampton North Beach, but I'll bet we won't have to pay entrance fees at the parks.
We can meet at the Shaw's parking lot at 4 corners in Groton to carpool. Here is a meeting place map.
We will meet at the Hampton North Beach Parking. Here is a starting point 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 Hampton North Beach.
On Friday, May 13th - West Acton
We will meet at the Elm Street Playground in West Acton (around the corner from Idylwild Farm). Here is a starting point map.
Here is the schedule:
- At 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
- At 12:30 PM - We will be back.
- Lunch
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole