Northeast - New Hampshire to Old Orchard Maine

Hello everybody !

If you ever been on the NH roads, then you might be able to help me.
I'm planning a trip from coaticook (canada) to old orchard (maine) and since I'm not familiar with the road in the NH and ME I thought that this might be the right place to get some input !!!

I'd like to hear about some alternative paths, suggestions, comments, are these roads cyclist-friendly. Well any information will be useful !

here's my 1st itinerary:
day 1: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/coaticook-gorham
day 2: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/gorham-113-standish-old-orchard

here's another possibilty:
day 1: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/coaticook-upton
day 2: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/gorham-old-orchard

the bikely elevation profile feature (under show menu on the top left) provides good information

thanks,
Christian Gosselin

You drew the last map wrong-it went from Gorham. However, I'd prefer the second possibility, assuming that you'll go from Upton through Grafton Notch along Rt. 26 to Bethel, then down. Staying west of Sebago will probably give you a little less traffic. Do know that there is some serious climbing no matter which way you go. Have a great trip!

Thanks for the suggestion of staying west of Sebago, I'll redo the maps.
For serious climbing I am aware of that based on the elevation profile from bikely, hopefully my legs will keep up the beat on the 2nd day !

Why do you prefer the second possibility ? (better pavement, scenic road ?)

thanks

Hi,
I can help on the southern part, I live down here. From Gorham NH, I'd go down
Rte 16. Stop at Pinkham Notch, good coffee, soup and sandwiches. I can discuss the alternatives if you want, I don't like 2 and 113 makes me nervous. 118 seems like the long way around. I have ridden short sections of 118, but it's not a road I have ever picked to spend a lot of time on.

North Conway would be a good place to take a day off if you want. Go to Center Conway and take Rte 153 to Rte 25. The road through Freedom NH is nice, just catch the turn off 153.

I have ridden 25 many times, it's surprisingly safe. Then Rte 117 to Heath Rd to Flag Pond Rd to Rte 98. I haven't ridden any of those roads. I have ridden Rte 9, it's a bit up the road but I'd prob pick that way even tho it's longer. You'll have to work your way through some backroads to get to it.

Wow thanks a lot Late for your input, I've redrawn my 2nd day, starting from gorham to old orchard based on your comments. It looks like this:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/gorham-old-orchard-late

Looks like there's a serious hill to go up to when leaving gorham on the 16. Then it all seems down hill from there.

It's a long climb, but not as bad as it looks. The only steep part is near the end. The downhill after Pinkham Notch is very steep.

If you want to bypass most of North Conway, find West Side road. Just don't miss the turn onto it or you'll have a quite different ride. :) It's not hard, there's a bridge and a road and not much else.

Rte 153 is a gem. And with luck you will have the wind at your back on 25. If you do, there is a slight downhill trend to the road and the two together make for easy going.

Once you get into southern Maine, be careful.