Conference noted::bicycle

    The Granite State Wheelmen do a lot in Clough State Park in
    Dunbarton and Bear Brook State Park in Epsom.
    
    ed

    
    	I still want to do the Davis path. I apologize to all who
    responded asking the directions. I've been gone to schoolfor a
    year and Don't seem to have the directions at the same time I
    have the names to send it to 8*(
    	
    	Roger

    Lake Massabesic in Manchester/Auburn has tons of trails.  You can ride
    an old railroad bed to Raymond (and further).  There is some great
    technical singletrack (fishing trails) that surround the lake.  If you
    go to the taxidermy shop at the traffic circle they have topographicals
    so that you don't get lost.  There are some pretty steep/short climbs
    (up to 600 ft) that'll burn your lungs.
       The NH Snowmobile Corridor trail goes from Massabesic to Bear Brook 
    State Park and beyond.  Clough is fun but beware of the motorheads.
                
    Mike (who's finished hockey and ready to ride) Larson

    About Massabesic.  Please ride responsibly.  There have been a few
    complaints so be courteous and don't spook the people or horses.  It is
    a reservoir for Manchester and it is posted but the Waterworks guys
    have been cool so far.  And don't tell too many people how great it is.
    
    Pack out what ya pack in,
    Mike

    RE: I'm looking for varied terrain from cruising to bashing.
    
    Can't help you with the cruising... I only know how to do the
    bashing when in the woods!  Being at one with the trees and
    rocks is what mountain bikes were designed for!  
    
    Anyway, there is good riding at Pawtakaway State Park (regularly,
    a group rides there Sunday mornings at 9:00).   Lots of hills,
    mud, BIG rocks, great fun - and it's allowed by the park service.  
    Of course, this being NH, you should exercise caution in the Fall 
    during hunting season.
    
    Then there is the Plymouth area - some serious gear-heads up there.
    Call the Greasy Wheel for ride details.  All the park service folks
    up there own Wicked's or Yo Eddie's so you can guess what they think
    of over-aged youths having fun in the woods...
    
    The best areas are near your house...  There are literally hundreds
    of miles of trails carved by the Honda and Yamaha ATV's with bank
    turns, jumps and 'groomed' trails.  They're everywhere!   We spend
    a lot of time in the Uncanoonuc mountains west of Manchester - but
    just pick a hill with trees on it, and you can find a trail up it!
    
    mud-man mark
    

    Well, I mountain biked for the first time on Sunday (and I have the
    bruises to prove it).  What a blast!  It certainl is a nice break
    from the road.

    We went to a place that's right off 111a in Nashua.  It's just a couple
    miles west of Rte 3.  On the right hand side of the road is a soccer
    field, I think there's a school nearby too.  If you bike along the western
    edge of the soccer field you'll catch a trail that goes up a steep hill
    into the woods.  You go down the other side and cross a paved road.
    Right across the street is another trail.  Take that.

    There's all kinds of terrain out there, from narrow trails, to trails
    for 4-wheelers, to sand pits.  Also mud and a shallow pond that someone
    was driving their Jeep into (why ask why).

    We were there for 2 hours and didn't cover it all.  It seems to be a
    pretty big area.  Watch out for dirt bikes and 4-wheelers.  Luckily you
    can hear them way before they're on top of you.

    

RE: .5
    >    			  Being at one with the trees and
    >rocks is what mountain bikes were designed for!  

	Nobody seems to congregate here, but there are some terrific
	but tough trails on Mt. Uncanoonic (sp?) in Goffstown, about
	10 miles west of Manchester.  Plus a number of other trails 
	that skirt New Boston and Weare.

	I hope to lead a Granite State Wheelmen trip thru this area in
	early fall, if, God and Digital willing, I'm still in this
	part of the country.

	Go now before the bugs arrive.  Will be happy to post more
	details if desired (but send me mail as I rarely read notes.)

	Regarding Massabesic - try to find a GSW ride schedule, at many
	NH bike shops, and join one of the rides.  I would get lost
	out there if on my own.  For Clough, try to find an Off Road
	Vehicle map that some NH state agency publishes. (And as a side
	trip, you can ride by Judge Souter's er, quaint, home, on Cilley 
	Hill Rd., also dirt).  Clough is neat in warm weather cause
	you can go for a swim when you're thru.

	Happy trails, Tom

    As one who lives in Goffstown, I can second the recommendation for the
    Uncanoonics.  I've hiked the trails a number of times and seen only one
    or two smiling (and worn out) MTBikers.  I ride road-bike only and I
    think it's enough of a work out in that area without getting onto dirt
    (just about as rough in sections, too!).  There are also a couple of
    good trails in Bedford off Wallace Rd. - the signs indicate
    conservation areas like Pulpit Rock.  Some major rocks, but mostly dirt
    trails.

I am looking for some challenging rides in the White Mountain area.
I have only heard of two places that allow mountain biking, Cherry 
Mountain and Flat Mountain Pond.  Does anyone know of any other places?
Also, does anyone know how to get to Flat Mountain Pond?

Thanks for any info!

_kathy

    
    Kathy in the White Mountain area, there's also Loonmt which is very
    easy to get to. They also have bike rentals and guided toors,
    instructions etc... You may choose to ride the mountain or the 
    X-country ski area. 
    
    Shaw

    Since so many people have Mt bikes now I thought I would ask the
    question again. What do people ride on around nashua. I tend to do Mine
    Falls for lunch because it is close to work. On the weekend I have been
    to Grotten MA. state park and have explored quite a bit off route 111
    between Hudson and Salem. I'm getting pretty tired of Mine Falls so I 
    would like to find something else to ride on at lunch. Also suggestions
    for other weekend rides. 
    
    thanks
    
    Alan

The best bashing trails I've seen within an hour of Nashua are at Beaver
Brook in Hollis, NH both north and south of Rt. 130.  'Course it helps to
know the trails, as there are many, many miles of them.

I ride there all the time.  Send mail if you're interested in detailed 
trail info or want to get together for a ride.


John

    
    Well I was planning on going up to the White mountains this Saturday
    (Loon) for some riding. I found out that the gondola ride to the top
    with your bike is not yet happening this weekend as there is still
    snow on the mountain (mid mountain up). So what? I guess it is probably
    due to liability and increased chances of people going down on snow.
    
    Anyhow, I am trying to change plans and go up to the beach instead
    for a totaly different scenery. Does anyone know of any nice
    paths/trails along the seacoast. I am thinking of Rye, Portsmouth 
    area. 
    
    Shaw

    Shaw,
    
    	My wife and I walked the trails at Odoirne Pt State Park. While
    	we did see some people on bikes and lots of tire tracks, I'm not
    	sure I'd bother bringing my bike - you could probably ride all
    	the trails in an hour.
    	Odoirne is on Rt 1A, between Portsmouth and Rye. Do you have a 
    	road bike? 1A is pretty scenic, just watch out for the tourists
    	in cars watching the ocean instead of the road...
    
    Steve

    
    Steve, I will give that 'Odoirne' state part a shot! Yeah I have a 
    road bike too but it is pretty risky on that stretch as a lot of 
    corners with just one lane, no shoulder and teenagers on 
    a belly full of beer driving trucks :-)
    
    The other thing I like about the MTB is you can ride on beach. 
    I cannot take both bikes as my bike rack is not a lockable kind.
    I've heard of many bikes being stolen at the sea cost. 
    
    Shaw, 

    
    I was out over the weekend looking forward to a bit of trail riding
    at Lake Massabesic and as I turned into the trail I noticed an orange sign
    saying " No Wheeled Vehicles" ... not the normal "No Motorized vehicles" 
    variety. Uh Oh, looks like us mountain bikers have gotten ourselves banned 
    from another area.
    I then went to Beaver Brook and read their new signs more closely....
    Which had said something about mountain bikes....lets see. It said
    something to the tune of "Mountain Bikes please ride on the woods access
    roads (fire roads) only." I was thinking to myself... I wonder why ?
    After riding down the trails myself I began to see why. Every muddy
    area where a small bridge over a stream is provided is rutted with MTB 
    tire tracks making it obvious as to who had been there. Instead of riding 
    over the footbridge or around the muddy areas the mountain bikers ride 
    through the mud instead. Leaving signs of destruction behind long after 
    we're gone is what creates a dislike for us mountain bikers. I know
    that most will say , big deal, but apparently not everyone feels that
    way. Also , they happen to be the people providing these areas to us
    all. We should treat the wilderness with respect and leave it as we 
    found it. I think if know one knew that we were biking there in the
    first place ,that there wouldn't be a problem at all.
    I can see now that it won't be long before we're banned from Beaver
    Brook as well..
    
    Todd  

    
    The "No Wheeled Vehicles" signs on the railroad bed at Massabesic
    exclude bicycles.  I know it doesn't say that and the impression is
    that bikes are banned.  I believe the GSW are part of the coalition
    that maintains the trails and advises on potential changes, others
    being the local snowmobile club and equestrians in the area.
    
    Jim

    Hey there!
    
    The last reply here was back in June of last year but I figured I'd give it
    a shot ......
    
    I've been riding a road bike for a few years and just recently
    purchased a mountain bike, both to extend my riding season and to just
    have fun.  So far, I've ridden the bike primarily on the road; not a
    bad thing this time of year (with all the potholes and gravel etc. on
    the road) but not what I had in mind.
    
    I've been reading about the various trails etc here in Southern NH --
    looks like some interesting stuff not *too* far away. But there must be
    some good riding right here in Merrimack, around MKO and Baboosic Lake
    area??  Maybe something that could be done at lunch time. I've heard
    suggestions that the fire roads around the site are good.  They look
    GREAT but they're gated and posted.  In fact,  every interesting trail
    I've seen around Merrimack seems to be posted.
    
    Maybe someone out there has some suggestions?  I'd love to get some
    time off the road during my lunch break. Also some leads on trails
    around Baboosic Lake Rd would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Derrick
    
    
    

Here is one that is a mix of paved/gravel.

Greens Pond Rd is on the left side of Continental Blvd just North of MKO 
(just before the Norden facility).  The last time I checked, most of this 
road was gravel.  I think Continental is set up in such a way as to 
make turning left onto Greens Pond impossible - you're on your own here.

Greens Pond goes past the Horseshoe F&G club and comes out onto Naticook
Road.  If you turn right on Naticook and go North about 1/4 mi. you can 
turn off onto Old Kings Road (looks like someone's driveway).

Old Kings Road is a bumpy/rocky/rooty road leading down hill and eventually
bringing you out to a gravel pit area under power lines.  Old Kings Road 
crosses under the Power Lines, across a flat stretch for about 1/2 mile
to the Watanic Bowmen archery club area and then up a short steep hill
bringing you into a development (Queens Way, Regal, Old Kings, Majestic).

If you go downhill from here, you will come to Spaulding Drive.  Turning 
left here, and then right at Haines Terrace will bring you out to Peaslee.
Turn left on Peaslee, go up hill and start down again (about 1/2 mile total
on Peaslee) and you can turn left on Naticook to get back to Greens Pond.
You could also continue downhill (straight on Peaslee becomes Naticook)
and come out onto Camp Sargent Road at the S curve near Tinker Road.

Given the problem of turning left from Continental, the trip might work
better in the reverse direction, but I think it would be easier to find
your way if you do it as I described the first time.

There are a lot of trails in the Wasserman Park area that we go out on
quite often.  Giving directions is another topic in itself!

Riding the fire roads around MKO makes for a short ride...you need to
cross over Continental Blvd and head out behind the old Norden System
building...

the easiest way is to join some of us on a ride...we have a few loops
that take an hour or so...


As far as Baboosic Lake area rides...I know many of the trails on the 
Merrimack (vs. Amherst) side.  the easiest access point is the old rail
bed at the "Y" intersection of Baboosic Lake Road and McQuestion Road.

I'd be happy to show you some time...

drop a (EMAIL) note,

-rob

    I wanted to say THANKS to everyone who has replied to my note.  I've
    tried virtually all of the suggestions given here and found some good
    trails that are challenging enough for me to learn on, but not so
    brutal that a begining MTB rider (ME) has to walk (or crash :-)).
    
    Maybe I'll try and tag along with some of you on a ride in the near
    future.  For now, I'd better work on the technique etc. so as not to be
    a total burden.
    
    See ya,
    
    Derrick