Seacoast NH Rides - my list

[zpl]

Hi folks,

I just wanted to give a shout out to riders in the seacoast NH area. I live in Dover and have started listing some of my routes on mapmyride.com. Here's a short list that will surely grow over time:

http://www.mapmyride.com/user_profile?username=zpl

Exeter Cycles in Exeter, NH is my preferred bike shop. There are two shops a bit closer to me but these guys consistently go the extra mile.

Regards,

Scott

[blonduathlongrl]

Hi scott!
I had a very bad experience with Exeter when I bought my zipps. They over charged me by 400 plus dollars, when gave them a chance to call me back and explain, I got no explanations. Too bad I used to like them. I purchased my zipps with another store for 400 less.
I go to Bobs in Porthmouth and he goes above and beyong for me!
Ill check out your routes, maybe you ride on my training route!

[Ritehsedad]

Bicycle Bob's! He used to work at the shipyard many years ago.

[blonduathlongrl]

Bicycle Bob's! He used to work at the shipyard many years ago.
he's a very good guy! bought my felt there 2 years ago, I have yet to pay for a tune up, he gave me the zipps 400 cheaper and gave me a pump, no charge, he also charged me 40 dollars cheaper then exeter for a new cassette, the guy is always all smiles and just very nice to deal with, his mechanic lets me go out back and explains things to me, I mean wow, what else could I ask for?

[Ritehsedad]

Free nachos? :rolleyes:

[blonduathlongrl]

Free nachos? :rolleyes:
:lol: not quite!

[zpl]

Thanks for the info. I'm only aware of Papa Wheelies in Portsmouth. I'll have to drop by Bob's sometime and check them out.

Scott

[Ritehsedad]

Papa's isn't bad. I usually go to KTP X-Sports.

[zac]

I'll be passing through Dover next week on my way up to Biddeford.

I have it mapped from the west Rt 155 through Dover to Rt 4 into South Berwick. Wasnt really looking forward to riding through downtown Dover, but that seems to be the least confusing way to get to Rt 4.

Any suggestions. Road conditions, roads to avoid?

zac

[zpl]

I'll be passing through Dover next week on my way up to Biddeford.

I have it mapped from the west Rt 155 through Dover to Rt 4 into South Berwick. Wasnt really looking forward to riding through downtown Dover, but that seems to be the least confusing way to get to Rt 4.

Any suggestions. Road conditions, roads to avoid?

zac
Hi zac,

It won't take you long to get through downtown Dover. It's an old city, though, so you won't find much in the way of shoulders until you get onto Rte 4. Between where Rte 155 passes over Rte 16 and where you get onto Rte 4, is about a 5-7 minute ride.

They've just resurfaced the road on Rte 155 near the Dover line for a few miles. Hopefully it will be re-paved by the time you ride by.

Scott

[Ritehsedad]

I'll be passing through Dover next week on my way up to Biddeford.

I have it mapped from the west Rt 155 through Dover to Rt 4 into South Berwick. Wasnt really looking forward to riding through downtown Dover, but that seems to be the least confusing way to get to Rt 4.

Any suggestions. Road conditions, roads to avoid?

zac

Hi zac,

It won't take you long to get through downtown Dover. It's an old city, though, so you won't find much in the way of shoulders until you get onto Rte 4. Between where Rte 155 passes over Rte 16 and where you get onto Rte 4, is about a 5-7 minute ride.

They've just resurfaced the road on Rte 155 near the Dover line for a few miles. Hopefully it will be re-paved by the time you ride by.

Scott

Another alternative if you're on a bike is going into Portsmouth and taking the Eastern Trail (http://www.easterntrail.org/), which goes from Rt 1 Portsmouth up to Portland (through Biddeford)

[zac]

Hi zac,

It won't take you long to get through downtown Dover. It's an old city, though, so you won't find much in the way of shoulders until you get onto Rte 4. Between where Rte 155 passes over Rte 16 and where you get onto Rte 4, is about a 5-7 minute ride.

They've just resurfaced the road on Rte 155 near the Dover line for a few miles. Hopefully it will be re-paved by the time you ride by.

Scott

Thanks Scott. I just got back from Exeter 111 up and back, never rode 111 that far east. Its actually not too bad. Doing a little recon, I am.

I'll go through Dover, I should be able to find an ice cream place to refill bottles and get a banana or two.

zac

[zac]

Another alternative if you're on a bike is going into Portsmouth and taking the Eastern Trail (http://www.easterntrail.org/), which goes from Rt 1 Portsmouth up to Portland (through Biddeford)

Thanks, but no, no, no. I avoid MUPs/rail trails as they are too congested and too slow. Plus I try to avoid that NE Mass/SE NH Rt 1 corridor as it has way too much traffic.

I generally ride west of Nashua into Amherst/Wilton/Peterborough and NE of Nashua into Pelham/Derry/Raymond areas.

Today I rode Rt 111 a few miles east and was somewhat pleasantly surprised. I might change my plans and do 111 then north to Dover and then cross into Maine. Then the ride gets boring. I have ridden all over southern Maine and everything west is uninspiring. Plus some of the side roads can be in rough shape.

zac

[Ritehsedad]

From Kittery to Biddeford the ET is 100% over the road.

[zac]

From Kittery to Biddeford the ET is 100% over the road.

My sincere and humblest of apologies.

You are correct (of course). I was thrown a loop by the logo on the Eastern Trail web site.

I just looked at the pdf they have posted, and what is funny is that I have ridden many of those roads between the Berwicks and Biddeford. I usually just freelance the side roads until I get back to one of the numbered routes. It's hard to get lost out there, just might take you out of your way for a few miles or you might hit some hard pack. The coastal roads are another story. Once rode around Arundel for miles and miles until I recognized the same intersection, I approached it from 2 different directions...funny.

Back to the main event. I think I will dl that pdf and study it some. Always looking for different roads, when in Maine.

thanks again for following up.

zac