Where to go while visiting

[SPORT]

I finish teaching for the year June 5th (barring no snow days). Looking to take a trip up and around the New Hampshire area with a starting point of PA (17347) the 2nd week of June. Any nice roads, sites and scenes while up in that area? I may sleep under the stars one or two of those nights.

I'm thinking of heading North maybe into some of the Adirandack mountains. Other than that...I dunno yet. I've been told there are some spectacular ocean scenes...

Overall I'm looking to take 3-4 days to just ride and site see.

Thanks

 

[TheAxeman]

Any of the "notches" (Franconia, Crawford, etc...) are good, Kancamangus Highway, Mt. Washington, Portsmouth NH for a nice seaside town, Vermont 100 if you are heading up from PA......

You might want to go north along the western shore of Lake Champlain and take the ferry over to Burlington VT and then across to NH from there.

 

[v65]

Gunny on Axe's advice. I have troubles remembering routes, but the area around Castle in the Clouds makes for some real nice riding, and the "castle" is a nice place to stop for some touristing.

 

[BkrK12]

See if you can obtain a copy of "New Hampshire's Most Scenic Roads" by John Gibson, published by Down East Books. Some of the less obvious roads, such as 116, 118, Rte 10 along the Ct river (or Rt 5, on the VT side) are very nice rides. If you can find someone to take you up through Evans Notch, that's a very scenic ride - although I understand the Stow store is closed now. PM me as the time gets closer and I'd be glad to help you out.

 

[Fred W]

I finish teaching for the year June 5th (barring no snow days). Looking to take a trip up and around the New Hampshire area with a starting point of PA (17347) the 2nd week of June. Any nice roads, sites and scenes while up in that area? I may sleep under the stars one or two of those nights.
I'm thinking of heading North maybe into some of the Adirandack mountains. Other than that...I dunno yet. I've been told there are some spectacular ocean scenes...

Overall I'm looking to take 3-4 days to just ride and site see.

Thanks

Not being from this area, we'll cut you some slack, but the "Adirondack" mountains are in upstate New York, not New Hampshire. There are some great riding roads through those mountains. In fact, Jim and Iris (ZOOM and HerFJR) are from the Albany area and are planning a group ride through the Adirondacks in the middle of June that you may want to consider hooking up with. Read thread here

Or if you really meant that you'd like to ride in New England then there's another state between the Adirondacks and New Hampshire. Of course, that's Vermont, and it has the best riding of all, IMO. Pretty much from top to bottom it is covered by the beautiful Green Mountains with winding and sweeping roads and vistas throughout.

My home state, New Hampshire, does also have some good riding. I'm sure that I'm somewhat jaded by riding these roads so often. However, a loop across the Kangmagus Highway, up Bear Notch Rd to Bartlett, then back west across Crawford Notch, then down through Franconia Notch is pretty scenic stuff. Lots of waysides to stop at with the opportunity for touristing at scenic spots like Sabbaday Falls or Rocky Gorge.

Lots of folks use the covered bridges as destination points and plan routes to find and "tag" as many bridges as possible. There are guide books and maps that show the locations of all these bridges. The fun thing is they are almost always on small, twisty, riverside, rural back-roads that make for some fun and adventure.

The New Hampshire coast isn't all that spectacular. Mostly sand beaches for the short 18 miles of shoreline, punctuated at the top by the city of Portsmouth. For great coastal touring you really should travel North a little, up into the neighboring state of Maine. Hey, Maine is "Vacationland". The old license plates even used to say so. But seriously, that is the coastal New England you see on all the calendars. Quaint harbors and fishing villages, spectacular rocky coastline dotted with old lighthouses, even a couple of sand beaches.

My suggestion is to narrow your search a bit, grab one of the bazillion of New England tour guides out there and hone in on what you'd like to see. Pretty much any roads you travel between destinations in Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) will be great riding so long as you stay off the interstates.

I would not suggest delving into Southern New England much (Mass, Connecticut & Rhode Island) as it gets considerably more congested and drivers become more aggressive.

 

[SPORT]

Not being from this area, we'll cut you some slack, but the "Adirondack" mountains are in upstate New York, not New Hampshire.

Thanks for clarifying. This is what I meant as opposed to heading due East throught the southern New England area.

Lots of folks use the covered bridges as destination points and plan routes to find and "tag" as many bridges as possible. There are guide books and maps that show the locations of all these bridges. The fun thing is they are almost always on small, twisty, riverside, rural back-roads that make for some fun and adventure.

What in interesting idea...I'll look into it.

The New Hampshire coast isn't all that spectacular. Mostly sand beaches for the short 18 miles of shoreline, punctuated at the top by the city of Portsmouth. For great coastal touring you really should travel North a little, up into the neighboring state of Maine. Hey, Maine is "Vacationland". The old license plates even used to say so. But seriously, that is the coastal New England you see on all the calendars. Quaint harbors and fishing villages, spectacular rocky coastline dotted with old lighthouses, even a couple of sand beaches.

Thank you again. I thought it was Maine.

My suggestion is to narrow your search a bit, grab one of the bazillion of New England tour guides out there and hone in on what you'd like to see. Pretty much any roads you travel between destinations in Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) will be great riding so long as you stay off the interstates.

I'll start reading.

I would not suggest delving into Southern New England much (Mass, Connecticut & Rhode Island) as it gets considerably more congested and drivers become more aggressive.

This is why I suggested heading North up through the Adirondacks towards New Hampshire.

Thank you again for your insights. I'll use them as I begin plotting.

Rick

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I finish teaching for the year June 5th (barring no snow days). Looking to take a trip up and around the New Hampshire area with a starting point of PA (17347) the 2nd week of June. Any nice roads, sites and scenes while up in that area? I may sleep under the stars one or two of those nights.
I'm thinking of heading North maybe into some of the Adirandack mountains. Other than that...I dunno yet. I've been told there are some spectacular ocean scenes...

Overall I'm looking to take 3-4 days to just ride and site see.

Thanks

Not being from this area, we'll cut you some slack, but the "Adirondack" mountains are in upstate New York, not New Hampshire. There are some great riding roads through those mountains. In fact, Jim and Iris (ZOOM and HerFJR) are from the Albany area and are planning a group ride through the Adirondacks in the middle of June that you may want to consider hooking up with. Read thread here

Or if you really meant that you'd like to ride in New England then there's another state between the Adirondacks and New Hampshire. Of course, that's Vermont, and it has the best riding of all, IMO. Pretty much from top to bottom it is covered by the beautiful Green Mountains with winding and sweeping roads and vistas throughout.

My home state, New Hampshire, does also have some good riding. I'm sure that I'm somewhat jaded by riding these roads so often. However, a loop across the Kangmagus Highway, up Bear Notch Rd to Bartlett, then back west across Crawford Notch, then down through Franconia Notch is pretty scenic stuff. Lots of waysides to stop at with the opportunity for touristing at scenic spots like Sabbaday Falls or Rocky Gorge.

Lots of folks use the covered bridges as destination points and plan routes to find and "tag" as many bridges as possible. There are guide books and maps that show the locations of all these bridges. The fun thing is they are almost always on small, twisty, riverside, rural back-roads that make for some fun and adventure.

The New Hampshire coast isn't all that spectacular. Mostly sand beaches for the short 18 miles of shoreline, punctuated at the top by the city of Portsmouth. For great coastal touring you really should travel North a little, up into the neighboring state of Maine. Hey, Maine is "Vacationland". The old license plates even used to say so. But seriously, that is the coastal New England you see on all the calendars. Quaint harbors and fishing villages, spectacular rocky coastline dotted with old lighthouses, even a couple of sand beaches.

My suggestion is to narrow your search a bit, grab one of the bazillion of New England tour guides out there and hone in on what you'd like to see. Pretty much any roads you travel between destinations in Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) will be great riding so long as you stay off the interstates.

I would not suggest delving into Southern New England much (Mass, Connecticut & Rhode Island) as it gets considerably more congested and drivers become more aggressive.

I agree with almost all of the above. But if you are in Southern NH and want to see the ocean, old Route 1 from Hampton up through Rye is a small but twisty road hugging the ocean. And on a clear day you can see the Isles of Shoals -- ask the locals about the murders that happened out there. I think it was Star Island. And they have whale watching boats and fishing going out of Rye and Hampton that are fun. For the Maine Coast I never liked the southern end with clogged traffic and outlet stores (when I was a kid it was much nicer).

I would respectfully disagree on CT for one road: I liked route 7 that runs the western end of Conn. and cuts through Western MA and up through Vermont to Canada.... Although I admit I stopped in southern VT.

Gunny on the Kangamangus. If you haven't ridden the Kangamangus Highway and you are in the area, you should. One caveat -- the scenery is gorgeous and the roads at times are dirty and crowded with cagers, my brother road his new goldwing off a cliff in a decreasing radius curve last year. He and girlfriend are ok with ATGATT, but be careful.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

If you have time to ride in Maine, give me a shout and I'll see if I can help. I traveled the state for 39 years in sales.

Charlie

 

[TheAxeman]

I would not suggest delving into Southern New England much (Mass, Connecticut & Rhode Island) as it gets considerably more congested and drivers become more aggressive.

??? :blink:

Fred, I ride these areas all the time and am not sure where this statement is coming from. I'm sure if you talk to Cota, S76, and a number of others that live in these areas they would probably disagree.....

 

[S76]

I would not suggest delving into Southern New England much (Mass, Connecticut & Rhode Island) as it gets considerably more congested and drivers become more aggressive.[Rick[/i]

HEY! I resemble that remark....Now get the hell out of the way.

 

[Fred W]

I would not suggest delving into Southern New England much (Mass, Connecticut & Rhode Island) as it gets considerably more congested and drivers become more aggressive.

??? :blink:

Fred, I ride these areas all the time and am not sure where this statement is coming from. I'm sure if you talk to Cota, S76, and a number of others that live in these areas they would probably disagree.....

Sure, you can ride down there. But this guy's going on a vacation ride. He's looking for fun roads to ride on. Riding in traffic is not my idea of fun.

If you think the riding down there in Southern New England is the same as riding in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, well... I just don't know what to say. Maybe after being immersed in congestion all the time one becomes jaded to it. Me, I'm just the opposite. I'm so used to having the road pretty much to myself I notice having a lot of company on it a lot, and it effects how I enjoy my ride.

As pointed out above, there are some exceptions to the congestion in far western CT and western MA. These areas are pretty and rural, but still pale to the scenery and roads in the Northern tier. You have ridden up here, Axe, haven't you? If not, you better get yer butt up here this summer so I can show you some really nice roads...

 

[SPORT]

Appreciate all the locations and sites to consider. Keep-m coming. I'll compose a list of all the roads U-all are showing me and make a plan accordingly.

Like FredW, I prefer the road to myself. I ride enough with traffic (aka DC through Richmond VA via 95). I prefer the, as one author put it, "roads less traveled".

Sites and roads worth considering so far:

Kancamangus Highway

Covered Bridges

Castle in the Clouds

116, 118, Rte 10 along the Ct river

Mt. Washington and/or Portsmouth NH for a nice seaside town

Vermont 100

What parts of the coastlines in Maine? I like the cliffs into the ocean. Where abouts are those located?

Thanks again.

 

[Fred W]

Appreciate all the locations and sites to consider. Keep-m coming. I'll compose a list of all the roads U-all are showing me and make a plan accordingly.
Like FredW, I prefer the road to myself. I ride enough with traffic (aka DC through Richmond VA via 95). I prefer the, as one author put it, "roads less traveled".

Sites and roads worth considering so far:

Kancamangus Highway

Covered Bridges

Castle in the Clouds

116, 118, Rte 10 along the Ct river

Mt. Washington and/or Portsmouth NH for a nice seaside town

Vermont 100

What parts of the coastlines in Maine? I like the cliffs into the ocean. Where abouts are those located?

Thanks again.

My favorite lighthouse spot is out on Pemaquid Point. Linky

Oh and Mt Washington is the highest mountain in the northeast, not a town. Link It has an auto road that can be driven to the top, but it's unpaved and can be quite busy. I'd pass...

Mountain still looks great from the bottom or they'll drive you to the top in a van ($$). For some added adventure you could pay to ride the Cog Railroad to the top: Link

 

[HaulinAshe]

Iris and Jim have been helping me hone my Yankee Loop 2008 summer trip. (Please pardon my redneck humor.)

Here is a link to the entire route in its current state.

Yankee Loop 2008 route

Here is a link to the New England section.

New England section

Would you fine folks mind reviewing it and offering any suggestions?

I have 10 days to complete the journey and two will be spent at Niagra Falls.

 

[SPORT]

Appreciate all the locations and sites to consider. Keep-m coming. I'll compose a list of all the roads U-all are showing me and make a plan accordingly.
Like FredW, I prefer the road to myself. I ride enough with traffic (aka DC through Richmond VA via 95). I prefer the, as one author put it, "roads less traveled".

Sites and roads worth considering so far:

Kancamangus Highway

Covered Bridges

Castle in the Clouds

116, 118, Rte 10 along the Ct river

Mt. Washington (Largest Mt.) and/or Portsmouth NH for a nice seaside town

Vermont 100

What parts of the coastlines in Maine? I like the cliffs into the ocean. Where abouts are those located?

Thanks again.

ADDED:

Pemaquid Point

 

[SPORT]

Iris and Jim have been helping me hone my Yankee Loop 2008 summer trip. (Please pardon my redneck humor.)
Here is a link to the entire route in its current state.

Yankee Loop 2008 route

Here is a link to the New England section.

New England section

Would you fine folks mind reviewing it and offering any suggestions?

I have 10 days to complete the journey and two will be spent at Niagra Falls.

Do you have a list of names for your legs/numbers on the map?

 

[Fred W]

Iris and Jim have been helping me hone my Yankee Loop 2008 summer trip. (Please pardon my redneck humor.)
Here is a link to the entire route in its current state.

Yankee Loop 2008 route

Here is a link to the New England section.

New England section

Would you fine folks mind reviewing it and offering any suggestions?

I have 10 days to complete the journey and two will be spent at Niagra Falls.

Hey Jeff, looks like a fun loop. I'm assuming that you want to stop in "Old Town" Portland and that's the reason for hitting the city there?

The only thing that I would change is to try and ride more of VT RT100 if possible. The best part of it is further north, IMO. Rte 202 across NH is okay and will make good time, but you could also stay on Rt 4 west from Concord, all the way across into Vermont, then hook up with Rte 100 in Killington. Rt 4 has some really great sweepers in both NH and VT and VT 100 is my fav road around. It would just depend on how much time you have to spend in the New England section.

 

[wheatonFJR]

As far as scenic goes...I loved Crawford notch when I passed through there.

Also, stay to the north young man as was suggested earlier...

 

[HaulinAshe]

Thanks guys!

I plotted to Portland "Mainely" so that I can include Maine on my list of visited states. Have never seen the coast that far north before and thought it might be a good place to stop for a quick, early morning visit.

I'll make some changes, revise the map, put the points list together and then repost.

Thanks again y'all.