The Lupine Ride 10:00 am

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Ready to Ride at 10:00 am

The Lupine:  They are in bloom!

Start:  Pinkham B Road in Randolph (western end of Pinkham B), parking area at the Presidential Rail Trail Crossing.

Host: Tom Sweeney will be your gracious Cruise Director.

The Ride:  This route in Randolph and Jefferson goes by some of the best displays of panoramic scenery and lupine fields in the area. The ride includes the entire length of Valley Road, a hidden treasure, running in the valley parallel to Route 2 and parallel to the Presidential Rail Trail. Valley Road lacks pavement for about 2 miles, but the riding on it is typically fine for any bikes, but currently there is some washboard do I would not suggest skinny tires unless you can tolerate some rough areas. Lunch and snack stop will be at the Israel River Campground.

Start from Pinkham B, go up Durand Road all the way to the end, then out onto Route 2 for just over a mile to a left on Valley Road. Enjoy the view and lupines. Take a left onto Route 115 and head up to 115A and take a right. Go past the Railcar home and take a right on Israel River Road and stop at the campground for snacks and ice cream bars and cups. Head back to Valley Road, enjoy Presidential Range views, then get on the rail trail at Jefferson Notch Road and enjoy the rail trail all the way back to your car at Pinkham B Road. The rail trail is in good shape and is a hoot with a long fun downhill all the way from the Castle Trail parking area!

Start time: 10:00 am ready to ride in Randolph at the parking lot on the west end of Pinkham B Road at the rail trail crossing. 

Carpool: Meet at the Jackson Ski Touring/Wentworth Golf Club parking area across the street from the J-Town Deli at 9:10 am.

Ride length: 23-28 miles; a few out and back spurs for more views gives the extra few miles. 

Directions to the start: 

Pinkham B's “dirt and "pavement" was not in good shape last fall, not sure what it looks like now. If you aren’t sure it is best to avoid that route to the ride start. Instead, drive Route 16 north to Gorham, follow it towards Berlin and take a left on Route 2 at the traffic light. Go up the big hill and down the other side. Just after the hill flattens, Pinkham B Road will be on your left. Take the left and drive about 0.5 mile to the parking area on the right at the rail trail crossing right near the Randolph town maintence facility.

Map:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27770259