Best Bike Rides in New England: Backroad Routes for Cycling the Northeast States

by David Sobel

Overview

From Connecticut to Maine, 30 bike routes offer miles of New England charm and landscape views.

The Northeast provides some of the most exciting cycling in the United States: sweeping vistas, seaside towns, fall colors, and more. With this comprehensive guide, New Hampshire local David Sobel offers up rides in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. No matter the state, there’s a ride here for everyone, with a range of mileage and difficulty level so both beginner and experienced cyclists can enjoy. Take in the scenery and stop for surf and turf on a moderate 17-mile trip through Mystic, Connecticut. Challenge yourself on hilly vistas and cool off in Cold River while biking Walpole, New Hampshire. Or take it easy while travelling back in time through Concord, Massachusetts. In addition to detailed directions, each route features annotated maps, charming photography, elevation profiles, and suggestions for entertainment and dining along the way. This is a must-have guide to discovering New England’s hidden gems on two wheels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682687475
Publisher:	Countryman Press, The
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	495,726
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

David Sobel is a professor emeritus in the education department at Antioch University New England. He consults and speaks widely on child development and place-based education with schools, environmental organizations, and the National Park Service. He lives in Harrisville, New Hampshire.

Table of Contents

Rides at a Glance 10

Introduction 12

Maine Rides (North to South) 19

1 Island Biking: North Haven 21

2 Freshwater and Saltwater: Bristol Mills, New Harbor, and Round Pond on the Pemaquid Peninsula 25

3 Western Maine Lakes: Waterford, Harrison, and South Waterford 31

4 By the Beautiful Sea: Wells and Drakes Island 38

New Hampshire Rides (North to South) 45

5 The Sound of Music: Franconia and Sugar Hill 47

6 Sunny Afternoon: Lyme 53

7 Over the Rivers and Through the Woods: Walpole, River Road, and Drewsville, NH; and Bellows Falls, VT (1 Long or 2 Shorter Loops) 58

8 Lost Villages Par Excellence: Lyndeborough Center and Davisville 68

9 Railroad Heritage: Hancock. Elmwood Junction, and Eastview (1 Long or 2 Shorter Loops) 75

10 Land of Lakes: Chesham, Nelson, Harrisville, and Dublin (1 Long or 2 Shorter Loops) 82

11 An Escher Ride: Westmoreland and Spofford Lake 90

Vermont Rides (North to South) 97

12 If You Could Choose Only One: Greensboro and East Hardwick 99

13 The Villages of Calais: Adamant, Maple Corner, and Kents Corner 104

14 Soft Rock Mining: East Poultney and Slate Quarries 109

15 Pleasant Valley: Saxtons River, Cambridgeport, and Brockways Mills 114

16 West River Valley: Newfane and Brookline 119

17 Lost Valley: Putney and Westminster West 126

18 Hollow and Heights: Weatherhead Hollow and Guilford Center 132

Massachusetts Rides (West to East) 139

19 Ashuwillticook Trail: Adams and Cheshire 141

20 Old Man River and the Devil: Northfield, Gill, and Satan's Kingdom (1 Long or 2 Shorter Loops) 147

21 Time Travel: Turners Falls and Deerfield 155

22 Rattlesnake Gutter: Montague and Leverett 162

23 The Hidden World of Quabbin: Petersham and Dana 169

24 Reformatory Branch and the Battle Road: Concord, Bedford, and Lexington 175

25 Back Woods and Kettle Ponds: Wellfleet and Truro 181

Connecticut Rides (West to East) 189

26 White Memorial Foundation: Litchfield and Bantam Lake 191

27 High and Low: The Airline and East Hampton 197

28 Oh, the Places You'll Go: Mystic and Bluff Point 202

Rhode Island Rides (North to South) 209

29 Blackstone River Valley National Historic Park: Lincoln Villages of Albion, Ashton, and Lime Rock 211

30 The Farm Coast: Adamsville and Little Compton, RI; and Acoaxet, MA 217

Acknowledgments 223

Editorial Reviews

10/01/2022

Geared toward bike riders who don't identify with the peloton, this guide by New Hampshire local Sobel highlights loop rides that go through lesser-known New England towns. Most routes can be completed in one to three hours, making them accessible for a variety of skill and fitness levels. An overview chart includes difficulty and distance; most lengths are in the teens, with some reaching into the 20-mile range. Each description includes an elevation profile, making it easy to identify approachable rides. Each ride includes a "treasure hunt," something fun to look for on the way, and ends with nearby food and swimming options, enjoyable either for families or individuals. A handy "at-a-glance" single-page summary with turn-by-turn directions by mileage for each ride helps immensely with staying on track, as the more detailed description may be hard to follow while making quick turns. Some of the descriptors, like "lost villages," can be diminishing, and the book lacks for reminders about leave-no-trace practices and environmental awareness, which would have been especially helpful at swimming areas. VERDICT For anyone living in or near or visiting New England. Also for readers who enjoy scenic, fun bike rides with a dose of history and swimming, plus restaurant recommendations.—Zebulin Evelhoch

Library Journal