Conference noted::bicycle

    I don't  know the area, but I would start by looking at the NH and
    MA  bicycle  maps.  The Mass ones are no longer available, but you
    may be able to borrow one. The NH ones come from the department of
    tourism,  or  some  such. Both maps show a lot of major roads, and
    also  the  ones  they  think  are best for bicycling (and show the
    major hills.) Some of the routes they show are very good, and some
    are the best of a bad lot in an area.  It's a good place to start.

    You might find good sections to piece together in any book of bike
    routes for the area. 

    Good luck.

--David

    I'll try to find a Mass one.  Pelham is on the NH border, so the NH
    one is of no help there (aside: we need money to get the NH updated
    and printed anew, it, too is out of print).
    
    ed

    When I started commuting (gosh, all of 4 months ago) half the fun was
    finding the pros and cons of all the alternative routes. There are many
    variables which combined to influence my "final" (actually I'm still
    changing) decision.
    Some of my influences, in  current order of priority:
    Pothole quotient.
    Traffic light quotient.
    Traffic density.
    Nurd ratio (motorised nurds that is).
    Note that factors like distance and number of hills have long ceased to be
    important! Advise your friend to start with the shortest route and then
    start experimenting. 

Follow 38 from Pelham to Medford...

Route 38 from Pelham though Lowell isn't too bad.  North of the Merrimack River
it's fairly congested for a couple of miles.  South of the River, it's easy
until you get to a short stretch just before 495.  Tewksbury is a combination
of through traffic with occasional hot spots near shopping centers. As always,
beware of minivans filled with kids.  Wilmington gets a little heavy in the 
mile or so where 129 joins 38, due mainly to a shopping center.  The worst part
of the trip is in Woburn at the rotary at 128.  The last time I was thru there 
was at rush hour.  It was easier to walk the bike.  Woburn Center is a little
confusing, but cars are moving slowly.  Never pedalled too far south of downtown
Woburn.

To avoid the worst of 38 near 495 and bypass the Tewksbury stretch, (and have 
a less trafficked and slightly more scenic route), I usually take Whipple Road.
It starts in Lowell  (where it's called Boylston Street) at the set of lights 
at Shedd Park, about 2 miles south of the Merrimack River. Just turn right at 
the light, and go straight.  At the 4-way stop, bear to the left.  Go straight 
for a mile or so, then straight thru the blinking red light.  When you cross 
the Shawsheen River (it looks like a small swamp) bear right (Nichols Street).
At the end of the street, turn left to 129 east.  Route 38 will be about a 
mile up the road at the 2nd set of lights.  Turn right to continue on 38 north.
Caveat:  Whipple Road is sometimes narrow, but has a *lot* less cross-traffic 
than 38.

I had a roommate (in Lowell) who was dating a woman in Somerville.  He 
alternated between 38 all the way, and 38-to-129e-to-28.  28 has more traffic,
is hillier, but is wider.

Tom,

	Hi 
	I live in Dracut and work in Salem NH.  I also use to
	work at Raytheon in Bedford MA.  The route I'd take
	is to go down Rt38 from Pelham to Lowell.  I'd then
	go down through downtown and pick up Throndike St. heading
	out to Billerica (Rt3a).

	**You can also go down Mammoth Rd. in Pelham and Dracut,
	  cross over the River-take a left after Franco-american school
	go down a couple of blocks and take a right onto Fletcher ST
	keep going staright and this will change into Thorndike St.**

	Just follow rt3a into Billerica and after you pass the the
	Billerica Mall there is a road that leaves to the right that heads
	to Bedford.  However, I believe if you keep going staright
	you'll come into Woburn.  From there you'll need a map to get
	to Medford. (I've never been there- but people at Raytheon use to ride
	there bikes from Meford)

Kevin

                     <<< Note 1836.5 by RVNDEL::MCCARTHY >>>

<<	Just follow rt3a into Billerica and after you pass the the
<<	Billerica Mall there is a road that leaves to the right that heads
<<	to Bedford.  However, I believe if you keep going staright
<<	you'll come into Woburn.  From there you'll need a map to get
<<	to Medford. (I've never been there- but people at Raytheon use to ride
<<	there bikes from Meford)

        Rte 3A will take you into Burlington, then Woburn but this is the 
	last road I would want to ride a bike on at any time, rush hour or not.
	The Burlington-Woburn area is very built-up with a serious traffic
	problem 

	Based on my 6 years of being a Stoneham resident (but no longer..)
	IMO, the Rte 38 option is better. 

	My route would be:

	1. 38 South to Winchester center
	2. left onto Skillings Rd (traffic light at the Purity Supreme)
	3. medium left onto Vernon St (2nd light, 5 way intersection)
	4. Vernon St lasts for 1 light and then turns into South Border
	   Road which will go through the Fells and into Medford (this is
	   also a decent hill)

	If your friend is working at Lawrence Memorial, she should turn right
	on Governors Ave to get there off of S. Border Rd.

	staying on 38 the whole way is a flatter but busier alternative

	Hope this helps.

	-tom

    Thanks, folks.  I'll pass the words along and follow this for
    additional info.
    
    ed