Hiking and Biking Suggestions

It's springtime in New Hampshire! Yes, that means lots of mud. But if you hurry, at least you'll get in some good outdoor time before black fly season. Not sure where to go and what to do? Today I'm posting links to an article on hiking and a news item about a new rail trail. Enjoy!

Take a Hike
Cliff Calderwood posted this great article, Popular Walks in the New Hampshire Lakes Region on http://www.visitingnewengland.com/. I'm intrigued by the West Rattlesnake Trail on Squam Lakes (little effort and great views, according to Cliff.) Also, the Mud Pond Trail in Fox State Park (Hillborough, NH) sounds interesting. All the trails (there are six) seem do-able for the average hiker interested in exploring nature. Some of them are suitable for children, too. Thanks, Cliff!

Ride a New Rail Trail

I just read about a grand opening celebration for a new rail trail in Newburyport (MA) and Salisbury NH. I can't find specifics other than the date (May 23) and time (noon to 4:00 p.m.). Also, the trail includes a water shuttle across the Merrimack River. I'll try to do more research to find out exactly where this is; in the meantime, if you have details, please write in. Kudos to the many people from Coastal Trails Coalition who likely worked years to make this happen!

Take Your Pick: Kayaking or Biking

Sometimes it's tough to choose between the two. This Sunday (May 17), for example, there are two events taking place simultaneously that sound interesting in terms of being information-packed. The first program is a kayaking demo I wrote about earlier.

The second event is a Trail Expo at Hampshire Hills Sports and Fitness Club in Milford, focusing on rail trails, wildlife, and conservation. Featured speaker is Charles Martin, who wrote the book on rails trails in the state. Aptly enough, his book is titled New Hampshire Rail Trails. You can read more about the Expo at Nashuatelegraph.com: Take a hike at the NH Trail Expo.

We've decided to take part in the kayak demo at Contoocook River Canoe Company because we're looking for some new gear and this should give us a chance to try it out on the water. As far as the talk on rail trails -- well, maybe I'll just buy Martin's book. I browsed through a copy at a bike shop a while ago and it seemed like a good source of information.
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New Hampshire Biking Maps Are Out There

It took a little work, but I did get some "official" 2008 New Hampshire biking maps put out by the Department of Transportation. My first stop was a local bike shop, but the map they gave me was a few years outdated. Next I stopped at the State Rest Area (Tourist Information Center?) near exit 6 in Nashua. Success! They gave me two maps: one for the Merrimack Valley Region (where we live) and another for the White Mountains (where we're headed in a few weeks).

The maps are pocket size, maybe 3 by 4 inches when folded. Obviously, they're available by tourist region - I think there are six or seven in the state.

The downside is that New Hampshire doesn't seem to have that many decent off-road bicycle routes that are suited for touring (not mountain) biking. The maps show "recommended bike routes," most of which are regular paved roads. They also show "improved rail trails," and "unimproved rail trails," as well as what they call "recreational bicycle loops."

Just to give you an idea, the Merrimack Valley Region has three recreational bike loops and four bike paths, some of which are pretty short. I'm going to study them a little more closely to see what I can learn and will try to share information here. For now, if you'd like a bicycle map of your own, go to your nearest state rest stop and ask at the counter, if there is one. The maps aren't available in the "take-one" racks, you have to ask for them. Hope to see you on the trail!

What's Your Excuse for Not Getting Back on a Bike After All These Years?

Do you remember first learning to ride a bike? I do. It was in the early 1960s, back before bike helmets and training wheels. Well, maybe those things were around then, but I didn't have them.

Instead, I had a gently sloping patch of grass and our next door neighbor, Mr. Holmes, trotting alongside me, until I finally took my first wobbly ride.

Since I've never been well-coordinated, I'm sure it took me a while to master balancing, pedaling and braking, but obviously I did -- never to look back until today, 40-plus years later.

There was a long stretch of my adult life, maybe 15 years, when I didn't ride at all. Now I want to make up for lost time. Each time I get on my bike, some of the exhilaration I felt when I first learned to ride comes back to me. It's the fresh air in my face; the exertion it takes to ride uphill, followed by the thrill of coasting down the other side.

If you're over 50, and like me, you haven't ridden in a long time, I'd encourage you to try it again. Let's debunk some of those excuses right here and now for why you haven't gotten back on a bike even though you loved riding as a kid. I've heard all of these excuses in the past year from friends and family who aren't old at all.

1.) I don't have good balance. Frankly, neither do I. Sometimes I weeble and wobble. But my balance has actually improved in the past year. It might have something to do with developing stronger core muscles and regaining a little self confidence just by doing it. And if balance is a big problem, maybe you can look into an adult trike. Don't laugh. My Uncle Joe rode one around his neighborhood until he died at age 90-something.

2.) My knees aren't as young as they used to be. No kidding. That's why you might want to ride for short distances to start with. (Read more on how to pamper your knees while biking here.) Taking Aleve (or similar medication) before a long bike ride can also help. My daughters shake their heads when I mention this, but would they rather have me sitting on the sidelines? I don't think so.

3.) Sharing the road with crazy drivers scares the heck out of me. The simple answer is rail trails. They offer off-road biking, usually on an easy, groomed surface, and in most cases, some pleasant scenery. That being said, we did enjoy some on-road biking this year. It's all about choosing roads with light traffic or riding during off-peak hours.

4.) Rail trails are boring. I just heard this one this week. I'm sure there are some trails that evoke one long yawn because they're straight, flat and have nothing special to look at. That's where a little advance research can help. You can start right here on NH Love It or Leaf It by checking out our biking posts. Another good source is pedaling.com. I'll continue to add resources and reviews on rail trails as I find them or ride them.

5.) Today's 24-speed bikes are too complicated. I'm sure the young sales clerk at Goodale's Bike Shop had trouble keeping a straight face when I walked in there a year ago and announced I didn't want to look at anything with more than three speeds. (Little did I know that 10-speeds were already ancient history.) The truth is, when it comes to bicycles today, you can find whatever you want if you search hard enough and venture beyond a "top-of-the line" bike shop. There's a guy in Nashua who retrofits older bikes back to single speed. Figure out what you want and then go for it! P.S. Just for the record, I ended up with a 24-speed; I'm still trying to figure out all the gears, but I like a challenge.

Parting Thought

Helen Hayes, the "First Lady of American Theater," who died at the age of 92, was asked in an interview if she regretted anything. She said she had only one regret. "I never rode a bike. I wish I had. That's all."