The Franconia - Sugar Hill Loop - A Family Bicycling Adventures

Spring Bike Adventure

Biking

The Franconia - Sugar Hill Loop

A Family Bicycling Adventures

By Wayne D. King

Franconia, Sugar Hill & Easton

13.7 Miles Paved (1 mile dirt if you take the Birches St. cutoff)

Intermediate Level based on distance.

There are several appropriate places for beginning this 13.7 mile loop and if you have a map you can also take two other crossroads that allow for some variety or to shorten the route. We recommend beginning in Franconia at the Franconia Inn where there is ample parking in the Franconia Airport parking area. You will begin your trip by continuing on the flats for another 1.6 miles to the Sugar Hill Road on the right.

The Sugar Hill Road eventually becomes the Easton Road on the other end and takes a slight jog at about 2.2 miles where you will turn right, then left in .1 miles onto the Easton Road and follow it to Rte 117.

At this point you will bear right onto Rte 117 into the town of Sugar Hill where you can stop at Harman's General Store for a bit of refreshment. Notice the difference in size between the Sugar Hill Post off and the Sugar Hill Library while you are there – this is a town that has its priorities right!

Freedom of Flight Poster

After your break continue East on Rte 117. It will be uphill for a short while but once you reach the Homestead Inn on the right it will be all downhill from there. This will be the easiest leg of the trip all downhill into Franconia. Families should encourage children to exercise caution because the temptation will be to fly down this section.

Don't miss the best views in Sugar Hill, and the sight of all those award-winning photos.  At the Homestead Inn, turn right onto Sunset Hill Road.  It is only a half-mile long, and has a lookout affording fantastic views, as well as a golf course where you can grab a quick lunch before you begin the second half of your journey back to the car. You will want to make note of your location here in order to return later for an extra special dinner at the Sunset Hill House. Return back to Rte 117 and take a right.

At about 2.3 miles from the Junction of 117 and Easton Road you'll come to Birches Road (also called Bickford Road locally) The Saint Matthews Episcopal Church is at this junction. It is open in summers through September. It seats 150 people and is a popular spot for weddings and among the most photographed churches in the country.

If you'd like to shorten your trip by a few miles this is one road that you can take as an alternative. It passes by the Frost Place where Robert Frost lived and wrote many of his greatest works. There is a small fee to visit the Frost Place but its well worth it.

Dreams of the Trail

If you take Birches/Bickford, you'll end up back on the Church Road (Rte 116) with about a half-mile to go back to your vehicle. If you continue on Rte 117 you'll find yourself winding down toward the town of Franconia.

If you are a history buff take the time to stop at the historic marker just down the road. It was at this location in 1929 that Austrian-born Sig Buchmayr established the first organized ski school in the United States. Sponsored by Peckett's-on-Sugar Hill, one of the earliest resorts to promote the joys of winter vacationing in the snow, the school provided an initial impetus to the ski sport America knows today.

Just beyond the historic marker you'll pass the quaint Sugar Hill Inn and wind your way into the town of Franconia on Rte 18.

This is the section of road likely to have the most traffic. Bear right (south) on Rte 18 and you will almost immediately see the Old Stone Iron Furnace historic site on the right. This is worth a stop to walk into the park and gaze at the kiln across the river as well as to read some of the historic documentation.

After your break continue for about 4/10 mile to the main junction in town and then go right again onto Rte 116 aka Church St. This is the road that returns you to Easton. You'll pass by the Dow building and then begin your final journey through the valley.

The reason we suggest ending you trip on this leg is quite simply that it is a reasonably flat final leg and the scenery is just beautiful. Riding down into the valley one understands why Robert Frost was captivated by this lovely spot. You will also find two great swimming holes where you can refresh at the end of the trip: Slippery Rocks Swimming Hole is located on Rte 116 about 500 yards beyond the Bungay Jar B&B. The Easton Town Hall and Volunteer Fire Dept make up the "downtown" of Easton. Turn on the road next to Town Hall, go about 100 yards and on the left are two large boulders, about 30 ft beyond the boulders is Slippery Rock, a small waterfall, swimming hole and chute, a slide and another hole. According to local folks, it's quite tame and great for kids. There is also another swimming hole directly across from the Town Hall on Rte 116.

If you are a history buff take the time to stop at the historic marker just down the road. It was at this location in 1929 that Austrian-born Sig Buchmayr established the first organized ski school in the United States. Sponsored by Peckett's-on-Sugar Hill, one of the earliest resorts to promote the joys of winter vacationing in the snow, the school provided an initial impetus to the ski sport America knows today.

Amsterdam Bikes

Rhino Bike Works

Rhino Bike Works stampeded into the scene in April 1994 when their owner decided he had had enough of building and servicing Lasers for United Technologies. Since that day, he has poured all of his energy into creating the best, coolest and most comprehensive bike shop in central New Hampshire.

In 1998 he was joined by Slade Warner and since then the two have become great friends and business partners. In 2002, Mike and Slade began looking for a better location for Rhino Bike Works to provide easier access, better parking and a better place for group rides to start.

The ideal opportunity presented itself when Alex Ray of the Common Man Inn offered Rhino Bike Works a new home off exit 26 adjacent to the Common Man Inn. After extensive renovations of the very interesting old building on 1 Foster Street, Mike and Slade celebrated with a grand opening in Nov of 2002. This new location is ideal in terms of layout, parking, and access and our customers already have made a habit of starting their rides here and finishing with a hearty meal and drink next door at Fosters Steakhouse or the Boiler Room.

In addition to bikes Rhino offers rentals and sales for paddlesports.

Rhino Bike Works
1 Foster Street, Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 536-3919
http://www.rhinobikeworks.com



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Langdon Park

Getting some air on the tabletop jump

A haven for stunt bikers or those who long to try their hand at it, Langdon Park also offers a wonderful spot for a peaceful and quiet bike ride or walk.

Few people actually know about this great spot in Plymouth (and some will be understandably annoyed at this article). It is a hidden treasure in Plymouth, tucked away along the Baker River just north of the National Guard Armory.

If your family is like ours, you'll find Langdon Park is a perfect spot for a family with a mix of biking tastes. Sometimes its tough to find something that provides something for both the aesthetics and the risk takers in the family but this place does just that.

There are plenty of flat and pleasing paths for those who just want to get a bit of exercise in a beautiful spot, and for the daredevils there are challenges galore off nearly every side path throughout the park. In addition, it's clear that Langdon park's terrain is an evolving one, created, modified, changed and maintained by the many bikers who use it.

Directions to Langdon Park:

Interstate 93 to Exit 26. Bear right immediately off the ramp toward Plymouth. At the end of the ramp take a right toward Plymouth's main St. Follow Rte 3 South 1/2 mile over the green bridge. Just after the green bridge there are two dirt entryways into a lot beside the National Guard Armory. Turn into the second (it's safer) and park at the back of the field near the Baker River. The path leading to Langdon Park is right there.



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iGo, uGo, we all go for eGo

The folks at eGo vehicles say they’re so much fun “you’ll be tempted to put cards in the spokes.”

That’s a smart statement that brings back childhood memories, describes the joy of the ride and at the same time clues you in to the quiet nature of the ride itself.

Launched in 2002 the eGo claims to be able to go up to 25 miles at 20 mph on a single charge – silently and pollution free.

”Ok,” so you say – “but then you have to recharge it.” Well, yes, but the eGO Cycle’s on-board charger allows "refueling" at any outlet for 10 cents worth of electricity.

"The eGO Cycle is the perfect product for the urban commuter, college student or gated community resident. It is dependable, fast, and emission free," said Andrew Kallfelz, President of eGO Vehicles. "We spent two years developing the eGO Cycle, and are now able to offer people the first street legal and safety compliant two-wheel personal electric vehicle."

The pedal-less cycle is unique, as its range is 36% greater than any other previously introduced electric scooter, bike or "transporter." The eGO Cycle gives anyone the opportunity to reconsider how they move around for fun or work," said Kallfelz.

The eGO Cycle can be ridden on any American street because it meets all National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety requirements, and with headlights, taillights, bicycle controls, large wheels and a low center of gravity it is safe and simple to operate for people of all ages.

Nearly 60 percent of all automobile trips are less than five miles, and 50% of trips are for personal (one passenger) transportation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. "Today, Americans are thinking about new ways to get around. People want transportation convenience, young people want fun and everyone wants to find an alternative to oil and gas," said Kallfelz. In years to come the eGo, and other small personal transportation modalities may just be as commonplace as the automobile on local city and town streets.

eGO Vehicles, LLC
One Broadway, Suite 1400
Cambridge, MA 02142
USA
Phone: 800-979-4346 or 617-583-1379
Fax: 617-758-4101



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