7/22 Saturday Ride

First, the Four Notches ride is tomorrow, if you’d forgotten; click here for details.

If you hadn’t forgotten and was hoping I’d post a ride, you’re in luck. I think tomorrow is a good day for Mitchell Hill. The primary course comes back in on Highland Ave, but you can easily add some miles by continuing past Highland to the Cape loop. We do not have a set ride leader, so if you’re planning to ride, be sure to click Strava’s l’m in button so others know they won’t be the only one showing up.

Ride leaves at 8:00.

7/15 Saturday Ride--and More!

BREAKING NEWS: The Four Notches ride will be rolling out of the Attitash Parking lot at 9:00AM on Saturday July 22nd.

This is a classic loop in the White Mountains incorporating Bear, Kancamagus, Franconia, and Crawford Notches. Distance is ~ 82 miles with ~ 5,500' of climbing. The Strava route is here.

MORE BREAKING NEWS: this is the last weekend I'll be available for the next 4 or more, so I need bunny wranglers. If you're willing to be the one that says "Let's go," and try to make sure nobody gets dropped, JLMK. You can pick your favorite route from the library and I'll post, or I can pick one for you.

Without further ado: it looks like we'll be able to ride on Saturday. It's been more than two months since we've visited Little Dog, yet it seems like only yesterday. How about we head up to Brunswick this weekend? Lots of route options here, so choose what works best for you. 

See you at 8:00

Brunswick-Little Dog 61 Brunswick-Maquoit 53 Brunswick-Highland 47 Freeport Loop 31

7/8 Saturday Ride

Saturday's temps are looking fine, if not the humidity; all I know is it's not raining, so let's ride!

Bruce wanted to visit Salmon Falls, so let's head out towards Bonney Eagle and down to Bar Mills and Salmon Falls (54 miles). We'll travel down the west bank this time. There's a shortcut that will cut 10 miles off, for those in need.

7/1 Saturday Ride

Theoretically, we have a dry day tomorrow, so let's go ahead with Roads Less Traveled (53 miles) or its shortcut (35-40, depending) from last weekend since we didn't actually do it. We should stay in the mid-60s, so it should be a pleasant day.

See you at 8:00.

6/24 Saturday Ride

Tut, tut—it looks like rain... again.

Well, I have no idea what to think. I was going to suggest a visit out to Roads Less Traveled, but the threat of rain seems highest between 9:30-11:00. I'll post for the long ride (53 miles) and a shortcut (36-40, depending on if you go up to Pinelands) so there's a shorter loop for those who wish, and which we can cut even shorter if we get rain when we get out there (at least there's a dry place to wait for a ride, if needed). Fair warning: if it's raining when I wake up, I'm rolling over.

6/17 Rainy Morning Ride

It is, sadly, looking like another Zwift day, friends, and I'm not sure Father's Day will be much better. I think we'll have to wait for Monday night. 😕 

Sunday Morning Ride =UPDATE=

I'm tired of the rain. I'm tired of the threat of rain. I'm tired of every weather model being wrong. I don't know about you, but I'm 0-4 on guessing the weather this week. Therefore, I'm riding Sunday, since that's the only day in 10 without a chance of rain, and I'm taking the pup into the woods on Saturday to give her and the 29er a little fun. If Saturday's your day, you do you, but I'm going with 100% dry.

We'll try the visit out to Salmon Falls that we missed last weekend. If you need a shorter course, there's a 36-mile shortcut over Mitchell Hill, and a little something in between. See you at 8:00.

---

The climatic low that’s pushing the Canadian fires’ smoke west and south (sorry, New York) is keeping us clear but wet, but that may lift by Sunday. Personally, I would really hate to come home cold and soaked from a rainy Saturday ride instead of enjoying a beautiful sunny Sunday, so I’m willing to be flexible. Let’s keep an eye on how the weather develops and pick the right day on Friday. We’ll likely do last week’s unridden course. Stay tuned…

6/3 Saturday Ride

=UPDATE=

The weather appears to be cooperating and staying dry, if unseasonably cool (shout out to Christian for sharing this weather app!). The roads will still be wet, I’m afraid, but let’s go for it. If it looks we’ll get rain again before noon, we’ll pivot to a shorter route. See you at 8:00.

Memorial Day White Mountain Ride

IT'S ON. The weekend is here and the weather looks perfect! I called the various towns to ensure Hurricane and Peaks are, indeed, open, so we are good to go. Remember: the cutoff for Hurricane comes before your legs are even warm, so make your route decisions before we start. If you haven't clicked the Hurricane checkbox yet, this looks like the perfect weekend for it, so choose your course below and you're ready for a great day! This is a self-supported ride, so have adequate snacks and come with cash/credit: we'll stop at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center for lunch where you can puchase some additional calories and a Coke. We roll out from Weston's Beach in Fryeburg, ME at 9:00 If you're not making the trip to Fryeburg but want a ride, take a peek at the new Route Library I've added—one-stop shopping for all our common rides.

Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/27 Saturday Ride

Our training series is now complete and our Legs of Steel are ready for Memorial Day! In the interests of keeping the legs loose (and having a ride for those not heading to the White Mountains) I offer some options for Saturday. 

Personally, last year showed that there is a fine line between "keeping loose" and "I really should have stayed on the couch," so I still have some decision-making to do. Bruce has volunteered to take the lead should I decide to pass, so plan to meet at 8:00 and pick a route for the morning, and I'll see what I'm up for. 

If you were interested in something longer (or shorter), take a peek at the new Route Library I've added—one-stop shopping for all our common rides.

Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/20 Saturday Ride

 Legs Of Steel, Week 5

 ==UPDATE==

To beat the rain, ride starts at 8:00

Memorial Day Tune-up: Raymond Hills

This weekend we have the ever-challenging Raymond Hills loop, featuring six Cat-5 climbs totaling 4000' of climbing. 

The temps look to top out around 70° in Raymond, and Saturday appears to be the better day of the weekend so far. Plan well, as refueling stops are few and far between:

• Intervale Market at New Gloucester Rd (mile 14)
• Dunkin before we climb White Oak Hill Rd (small detour down Rte 26 at mile 26) 
• Circle K at N Raymond Rd and Rte 26 (mile 48)

We start at Mabel I Wilson School; I don't have vetted alternate routes, but this appears to be a possibility. It is untested and offered without warrantee, either expressed or implied, but it offers 44 miles, 2200 ft of climbing, and you still get to tackle Valley Road. Be sure your phone is charged—I have no idea what's out there (Outlet/Quarry Rds).

If you have not been with us on our recent series of longer and hillier rides (or just want something shorter/flatter this week), take a scroll thru our past rides (listed in the Blog Archive, lower right)—something should spark your interest.

We will plan to start at 8:30, but I'll be keeping an eye on the weather: if Saturday's weather changes, I am willing to adjust times or bump to Sunday if that turns out to be the better day. Stay tuned.

May 27

Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/13 Saturday Ride

Legs Of Steel, Week 4.

Freeport via Hilly Pinelands! 

The work is largely front-loaded on this route so, if you pick one of the shorter variations, you will still get most of the climbing in on the way to Pinelands (@ 2200'). From there:

• The red route takes us out into the farmlands on N Pownal Rd before we turn south and head for Freeport
• The orange route returns via the pretty Hodgdon Rd
• The green takes 231 to North Rd, Memorial Hwy, and Sligo

There are myriad variations home from Pinelands, so pick a route and load it up. 

It's another long day so, barring a change in the weather, let's start at 8:00.

Hilly Pineland-Freeport 61 Hilly Pineland-Hodgdon 49 Hilly Pineland-Sligo 44

May 20	May 27
Memorial Day With Hurricane Mtn Road

5/6 Saturday Ride

Legs Of Steel, Week 3.

It's time for coffee—here we come, Little Dog Cafe! It's 35 miles up to coffee and muffins, and 26 home to burn them off (the move to Glickman shaved a few miles off)—heckuva deal!

However, if you have less time (or legs) for the full route, there are myriad shorter routes, three of which are linked below—click the route of your choice and load it up.

It's going to be a long day so, barring a change in the weather, let's start at 8:00.

Brunswick-Little Dog 61 Brunswick-Maquoit 53 Brunswick-Highland 47 Freeport Loop 31

May 13	May 20
May 27	Memorial Day

4/29 Saturday Ride

Legs Of Steel, Week 2.

We'll swing by Sebago Lake and come home via Gorham and Westbrook. DON'T FREAK OUT—it's really only 45 miles and 1700 feet of climbing (old thumbnails, updated Garmin maps)! 

The rest of the schedule is laid out below. Perhaps for the last time, let's start at 9:00.

April 29	May 6
May 13	May 20
May 27	Memorial Day

Memorial Day Tune-Up Series

And so it begins...

We are six weeks out from Memorial Day Weekend, so it's time to start our annual tune-up series. We will steadily increase distance and climbing for the next four weeks, enjoy a lighter ride on the 27th, just to keep our legs loose, and arrive in Fryberg on Memorial Day with Legs Of Steel!

This weekend let's head down to OOB--this is a lovely ride that we won't get to do it again after Memorial Day. I have two options, differing by three miles and 900' of climbing. Think about what you feel up to and we'll choose together in the morning.

The rest of the schedule is laid out below. Let's start at 9:00; since we'll be along the beaches, be sure to have an extra layer.

April 29	May 6
May 13	May 20
May 27	Memorial Day